The "heart" of a lot of things is in Cleveland

Helllloooo Cleveland ... again! 

We love these guys ... especially our third year hosts, Mike & Shelly Rosepal ... talk about hospitality.  It always feels like home with them and their girls.  They make us feel like family, and even share recipes with us.  This time their youngest daughter taught us how to make a sandwich ... though we threw her a curve when we suggested she add pickles.

This daughter is a character.  When Mike was just shaking his head listening to her, I let him know how fast time can pass ... Now that my kids are way grown and my eldest grandchild is a teen.  I told him that he needed to be careful cuz if you sneeze twice she'll be grown with kids.  At this point she turned to him and urged, "Sneeze, Dad, sneeze!"  We feel your pain guys ... ROFL!!!

We spent time before the overnight stay, at the main station, and did the media "thing" while we were there.

After doing our standard photo ops,  we were treated to a tour of Cleveland, and were joined by a Cleveland police officer who gave a most touching and heartfelt tour of the memorials honoring the CPD.  He was able to tell us specific details about the officers they had lost.  As we listened, and watched his body language, it was obvious that these were indeed his brothers and he felt each loss personally. 

Moments like these remind us of the intent of this tour.  And while it is a morale campaign for our deployed troops, it is also a tribute honoring our Fallen & Wounded Fire, Police & Troops.

He stayed with us for the entire visit downtown, and shared more about the memorials as Mike showed us the firefighter memorial.  This one one of the more unusual tributes we has seen.  From different angles, the flames appear to come out like a hand reaching for the firefighters.  Kelly also noticed from her angle, one of the buildings in the background of the memorial looks like American flags, as the sun hits them just right.

We want to thank Cleveland and it's Heroes for making us so welcomed once again.  This is one of our annual stops, and we always look forward to the Cleveland shirts arriving.  this year we plan on CPD shirts as well.  Way to rock it, Cleveland!

Next year, Shelly has to make her famous chicken for dinner, and Mike, you're on for the ice cream made from honey.  What is that called?

Thank you to each of you for making this one so memorable!

lj & the road crew