Great Accomplishment

After returning to Ohio, having ridden with Gerry on the Goldwing,  Frank was presented with this Certificate.  The last time he had ridden a two-wheeler was at age 19 (50 years ago) on his Lambretta scooter. I had to ask what the definition of "pillion" was.  It is riding as a passenger, behind the rider.

Certificate of Achievement

awarded to

Dr. Frank Pearson

Pillion Passenger 101

Bravely (naively) endured first 500 mile (805 km) day

530 actual miles on July 26, 2014

Pillion Passenger 102

Riding in the rain

“If you don’t ride in the rain you don’t really ride”

Pillion Passenger 201

Completed a total of 1168 miles (1880 km)

July 26 to August 4, 2014

________________________________

signed

Gill, Beth and I went to Chicago for a couple days while the guys stayed longer looking at airplanes.  One day was at the Art Institute of Chicago.  One of my favorites exhibitions was the "Miniature rooms".
http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/thorne

These miniature rooms are 1 inch to every foot in actuality.  The detail was amazing.    A second exhibit I loved was the paper weight collection.

EAA week

On July 26, Gerry and Frank geared up and started their 500+ miles trip from our house to Oshkosh,WI.  F had not been on a bike for many years, but was challenged by the trip.  Beth, Gill and I came by car. Another long drive, since I was the only driver.  But we made it fine.

This was the camper the five of us stayed in.  It worked out well.  The kitchen was a nice size as were the sleeping areas.

Now for some pictures of what we saw at the EAA show.

On a sad note, in the ultralight section G saw this memorial to Frank B, who taught him to fly his ultralight years ago.  Frank died last year.  He was very active with the ultralights at EAA. 

A whirlwind three weeks

Our guests from the UK have come and gone.  We spent a couple days after they arrived giving them time to acclimate to the time change.  There were here for the anniversary of Andrew's death.  It was good for us to be together.  We lit a candle which we burned for over 24 hours, with a picture of Andrew and some flowers.  I found it a very special way to remember him.  It was a time of sharing our sadness with his family and a time of remembering.

We had the other in laws visiting too (Stacey's parents)

Then we found out what Gill's passion really is!  She is an excellent gardener.  She took her time to get every weed out and used the fork to loosen the soil in my flower beds.  Hope I can keep them that good.

The whole family helped with the lawn mowing. Sure looks like they are having fun.

My next post will be on the next part of our time together.