Manchester, Michigan with Bill and Gloria Hayden

Wednesday morning we left Walden Woods about 4 days early, heading to Kenisee Lakes in Ohio.  We were able to connect with a Palm Desert couple, Bill and Gloria Hayden, who live in Michigan, and were invited to drop by for a visit.  Just 30 miles out of the way and wanting to see them we aimed in their direction.  It was pouring rain so we felt at home driving, we just didn't know where we were going.

We pulled into their driveway, drove past their house, down the hill, past the pond, and pulled in next to the barn.  Not bad digs actually.  Very scenic. Waited about 45 mins for them to return from playing pickelball.








When the rain stopped Lucy, Lilly and I poured out of the rig and walked around the property, 30 acres, taking pictures.



Me and my flowers.  So many, so beautiful.





















Snapdragons, one of my favorite.

Hey Austin, CORNDOGS here too.

 A shot of our site number 1 from across the pond.













A shot of their home, from across the pond.











Got to see this in panarama to believe it.  I didn't know we knew anyone who lived like this.

Lucy and Lilly are in paradise, and so are we.  This is a resort.  I just have to share more pictures.




 House across the pond.

Barn across the pond.  We later moved to the hilltop.

View of pond, Lucy and Lilly exploring.  My favorite lawn swing under the trees next to the pond.








The skies cleared and it turned into a sunny, beautiful day.




We moved the rig up to the top of the hill outside their house.

Absolutely beautiful up here too.  How come TT doesn't have nice sites like this?











Spent the afternoon sitting under the shade trees, talking, talking and talking.  Then the guys decided to go fishing in the pond.  The pond is stocked with widemouth bass, sunfish, and carpies...plus the renegade snapping turtles which play havoc with the pond.



Bill pointing out the best spots on the pond for fishing.

Bill, Bill and Gloria

If the guys are fishing, I'm taking a nap.

Bill Hayden catches the first bass, a one footer, based purely on his foot length....catch and release.


























My Bill patiently waiting for that first hookup.  He eventually landed a few. The two Bills spent half the evening discussing who caught the biggest.












We had a wonderful, delicious dinner of a mystery protein source (compliments of Gloria and Bill, non meat eaters), wild rice, coleslaw, fresh cucumbers and ice cream and strawberries for dessert.

The next morning we slept till almost 8.  Unbelievable.  It is so quiet out here nothing woke us.

 An early morning shot of a lonely fishing pole waiting for its handler.

Made coffee and went down the hill to my favorite nap spot for morning coffee.  Bll and the girls joined me.

Gloria picking string beans for tonights dinner.  Lilly exploring the west 10.

Lilly growled and was highly suspicious of this watering can while it floated on the water in a 55 gallon container.  The suspicion did not lighten when I put the can down on the ground. 

I nudged it with my toe and she took off running, scared to death of it.  Go figure.  My little "thinks she's a Doberman" is afraid of something.

Lilly warning Lucy away.

 A little about the Haydens house.  They built this energy efficient home 30 years ago.  It is partially built into the ground.  You can see here the roof line merging into the hillside.  This is the back of the house with the atrium in the center of the home.  Part of the house is actually under the lawn.

















This is the northeast side of the house with the deck just off to the right.















The deck wraps around the side and front of house for a magnificent view of their property and pond.

We've had a restful stay.  Bill just changed the oil, we'll wash the motorhome next.  Bill will go fishing and I'll paint down in my nap swing...see how much I get done.

Thanks for visiting.  In the morning we'll head for Kenisee Lakes, a day late.