4/19/26
Location: Magnolia Lane Campground
Trinity United Methodist Church
Joanie and Ross’s house
Lunch at Marrakesh 
Lejeune Memorial Gardens
Joanie and Ross’s house
Walmart
Fuel
ChILL

Skip willingly woke up early for us to make the 30 minute drive from the campground to meet Joanie and Ross at their church, Trinity United Methodist. We arrived at 8:25 in plenty of time for the 8:45 service. After being greeted warmly multiple times and shown to their restrooms, Skip and I waited outside at the front of the church for Joanie and Ross.

Their church is beautiful with stained glass windows lining the sanctuary and large pipe organs flanking the altar. The contemporary praise band was talented. They performed the songs as well as the artists I hear on Sirius XM The Message.

The pastor’s message was regarding the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. Skip and I are intrigued by the facts the pastor researched and shared with the congregation. Because we both want to know more about the current views and validated studies about the Shroud, Skip made a Kindle purchase of The Jesus Discoveries by Jeremiah Johnston, founder of the Christian Thinkers Society, and one of the resources referenced by the pastor.

At their beautiful house, Joanie and Ross showed us the variety of flowers, plants and trees they have in their yard, including some they brought from the last house and some they started from seedlings. They have pears, citrus, aloe, pineapple, blueberries and a different species of Japanese maple than I have seen in the past. They also grow peppers and herbs in pots on their back deck. Ross introduced us to a couple of his turtles that were previously injured and unable to survive on their own now living in safety and comfort in the backyard pen Joanie and Ross provide for them.

Even though Joanie and Ross have lived in their house more than 20 years, this was our first visit. Their house has huge rooms and beautiful hardwood floors. Ross has one of the huge rooms neatly organized with his sewing machines and kite materials. The room has double pocket doors to close it off making it out of sight when not in use. Spacious kitchen, large dining room and large main area help when they host friends and neighbors.

Lunch was at a Greek restaurant named Marrakesh, tasty. Next we went to the Lejeune Memorial Gardens, a somber reminder of the horrors of war, the ones who were killed or permanently injured and the families that were left to carry on without their loved ones. It was a touching reminder of Ross’s sacrifice as he served as a Marine and just missed by one year the Beirut bombing that killed 273 Marines.

Back at Joanie and Ross’s house we played train dominoes. Skip and I had never played so they took the time to explain the rules and strategy. Then it was game on! After enjoying a few rounds, Skip and I headed out for groceries and fuel.

Back at ChILL we had grilled cheese sandwiches, fresh Brussels sprouts and tomato soup for dinner. What a life!