Return of the Elissa II to the Great American Loop

Wow---it has been a long time since we were last on the Elissa II----September 2013! In that time we have

•  Watched and helped care for our granddaughters Ember and Iris, born Aug 17, 2013 at 34 weeks. Enjoyed the additional pleasure of Meridian's (5 y/o Dec 2013) company as WE ALL learned how to care for twins. Our visits culminated with assisting Elizabeth and Mike with their move to Ft. Hood TX in April.
• Celebrated the life of my Uncle Bob Martin who passed away in November 2013 at 103 y/o. Not only did he live an awesome life but he was truly an awesome man and a gift to us all. We gathered in February with all but 2 of his niece's and nephews at Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego. 
• Made 2 visits to Washington DC to visit Melissa and Tim - interrupted their intense studies of the Thai language prior to an August 2014 posting to US Embassy Bangkok
• Managed to fly to Minneapolis, MN in between snow storms to celebrate Toni and Jack Querfeld's daughter's, Dana, wedding shared with Military family/friends!!
• Our American Loop adventures started in July 2010 with our cruise east to visit Mike and Elizabeth who purchased a home on Lake Ontario for their Ft Drum, NY assignment. Haleigh, our Border Collie/Siberian Husky began the Loop with us, later joined by Jada. Unfortunately, Haleigh passed away at the age of 13 in September 2013 due to a reaction to medication. She was a wonderful companion.
  Martin Cousins at Ft Rosecrans
  
  
  Ft Rosecrans, overlooking San Diego Bay, site of Military Honors rendered COL (ret) Robert Martin, USAF (commissioned May 1932)
  
  
  
  
  
  August cruise to Ft Wool, VA with Melissa, Tim and Meridian Fort located 1 mile of Ft Monroe, VA at the mouth of the
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Meridian, Iris and Ember--no they are not her dolls!!! 
  
  
  Now we are embarking on the 2014 "Sweeney's on the Loop" again--next posting will be from the Chesapeake!