When we first retired and started traveling back in May of 1993, we decided to stop by for a visit. At that time, Len was still active duty and was stationed at Great Lakes and only came home on weekends. They had gotten a contractor to come out and take off the entire second story to put a new one on. He had only built it, put the roof and glass panes on and they were on their own for the inside. So, Ron asked Jane if they had blueprints of what they wanted done with it. She said sure and got them out. He next asked her if they wanted him to install the walls inside and she wasn't quite sure about that. She called Len and he said, "YES!!" See, Len knew Ron used to be in the Seabees and knew what he was doing. So, that is what we did, we spent the next two weeks with them and Ron put up all the walls in the second floor.

Then, we came back in 1995 and ended up staying 5 weeks. In that amount of time, we basically replaced all the lathe & plaster walls with real ones, as well as insulation and plastic that went between the rock and the framing and insulation to keep out the damp. We did the entire bottom floor and ceiling, the front bedroom and turned a closet and bedroom into the dining room. It snowed three different times while we were there and it was only October. We had a great time and everybody chipped in to help.

The last time, before this, that we came with our rig, we didn't have to do anything, because everything was pretty much done. We just spent a week with them and relaxed and had fun visiting. They have really done a top notch job on their house and surrounding area.

They have started making their own wine from their apple trees and recently from their raspberry bushes. I think they also have made strawberry wine as well. I must say, all their wine is excellent, so they must be doing something right. Now, all they have to do is turn their barn into an art gallery, (they are actually thinking of doing this someday...) and offer their wine to guests and to sell.

Well, yesterday, (Saturday), they took us out on the Wisconsin River in their pontoon boat. We got to the dock and Ron forgot the camera. So, believe or not, the following pictures are from his camera phone, they actually came out pretty good, I'm surprised.