![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/USAF-Museum1-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/USAF-Museum-300x225.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nIn keeping with our interest with military museums, we visited the National Museum of the US Air Force. It was highly recommended by other friends and travelers and in the many times we visited this area we had never gone. Deb and I have been to Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, the PIMA Air & Space Museum in Tucson and the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. The US Air Force has one of the best collections and display of aeronautical history and artifacts that we have seen.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Scottville-River-park-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Scottville-Riverside-1024x768.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\u201cMeechigan\u201d was our next stop, we headed north with Scottville in our sights and an opportunity to park the RV at the river park, a place where I played with childhood friends growing up. Sometimes the timing of our adventures is well thought out.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Manistee-firehouse-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Mom-gravesite-300x225.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nWe planned to go see Mother Mary at her gravesite in Manistee on the first Sunday of our visit. Only later did we realize it was Mother\u2019s Day. We left her a big basket of purple flowers, shed a few tears, told her we missed her and thanked her for her adventurous spirit.<\/p>\n
Of course, A Sunday drive up the Michigan shoreline was next. A quick stop in Frankfort, a chance to see Point Betsie Lighthouse, then a drive around Big Crystal Lake before we headed to Baldwin for some homemade Jone\u2019s ice cream. It still has to be the best Orange-pineapple, ever!<\/p>\n
I had breakfast with my brother Bob, we chatted about life in general, little did I know it would be the last conversation and the last time I would see him as he passed away a month later. R.I.P. brother, you will be forever loved and missed.<\/p>\n
It was nice to see the Mayor, (My old high school basketball coach) and a few of the hometown business owners that I knew many years ago. We also had the opportunity to see some of my high school friends, had lunch with a few more. It\u2019s always special to reconnect with the people that you grew up with.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Hamlin-Dam-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Ludington-Lighthouse-300x225.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nDeb and I visited Ludington State Park, enjoyed walking the dogs across the dam at Hamlin Lake. I had forgotten how scenic it was along the river and the trails were much nicer than I remembered them as a kid.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Grand-River-300x225.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nA short trip to Grand Rapids to see more family and spend a few days in a campground right on the Grand River.\u00a0 Another lunch gathering with sisters, nieces and nephews. Deb and I thought it was nice to see everyone one again! We got the grand tour at Temple Emanuel from my sister Peg, who is a nationally renowned historian and genealogist for the work she has done preserving and archiving Jewish History.\u00a0 We also went to the Cirque du Soleil \u2013 Crystal show on ice that was filled with artistic possibilities with skaters and acrobats. A fun Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
The weather in Michigan was uncooperative, we picked the best day (according to the weatherman) to take a drive to Lake Michigan coast to see the Holland Lighthouse. Dreary skies didn\u2019t give us much of a \u201cphoto-op\u201d but the dogs enjoyed walking out on the break wall and it didn\u2019t rain!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/GLAKES-e1564003132615-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nMemorial Day weekend was fast approaching, and we were off to Chicago to make a return visit to Great Lakes, Illinois. I went to Recruit Training Command in 1972, much of the area was a weak memory of where my Naval career began.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Chicago-streets-300x225.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nThe mayhem of big city congestion and a holiday weekend were NOT very appealing, so Deb and did an obligatory drive through downtown, whisked by Wrigley field and luckily got out of there before the game was over!<\/p>\n
We found a couple of cemeteries that were right up our alley! Being Memorial Day weekend, it seemed appropriate to pay our respects.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Graceland-Cemetery3-e1564003469166-225x300.jpg\")
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Graceland-Cemetery2-e1564003448158-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nGraceland Cemetery was founded in 1860, Free, self-guided tours with Maps provided allowed us to see some of Chicago\u2019s great architects and their influence, the city\u2019s turbulent history, its powerful and inventive citizens, and the Cemetery\u2019s natural beauty.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Rosehill-Cemetery-300x183.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nNot too far from there was the Rosehill Cemetery, much like Graceland, many notable Chicagoans were buried here. We had less than an hour to visit before the gates were locked, so we made a hasty trip through the grounds. The highlights of this park were not so much the gravestones and monuments but the roads that were lined with USA flags. The display of patriotism, honor and respect to the fallen was very touching.<\/p>\n
Deb and I enjoy building architecture and some of the churches\/cathedrals in Chicago were breathtaking.\u00a0 It also gives an opportunity to pause, count our blessings and light a candle for Mom.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nSt Mary of the Angels was our first stop. Mass was NOT in session, so we managed to photograph the highlights of the church.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Holy-Name-Cathedral2-e1564003571294-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Holy-Name-Cathedral-e1564003359607-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Holy-Name-Cathedral1-e1564003549748-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nThe Holy Name Cathedral Parish was only blocks from North Lakeshore Drive yet we managed to find a parking place so we could visit. Unfortunately, Mass was going on here, which made taking photos a little more difficult. \u00a0We did manage to get a few from the back without being disruptive tourists. (LOL)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Fatsos-last-stand1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Fatso-Stuffed-Burger-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Fatso-Chi_dogs-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/alwaysondafly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Fatsos-Last-Stand-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nDeb found an awesome hot dog place called Fatso\u2019s Last Stand that seemed appropriate for our \u201cfoodie affliction\u201d. It did NOT disappoint!<\/p>\n
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