DAY 5

Our assignment today was to be at Julie & Eric’s at 900am. We didn’t make it. But we did make it by 930. (They weren’t ready anyway either). We finally got under way to Ocala…about an hour away. Our trip was to meet Eric’s parents…Jay & Ann. They have a beautiful 15 acre ranch with cattle and horses. Cindy & I both agreed that granddaughter Anna would think she had arrived in heaven if she had been with us. Anna is our horse lover and has taken riding lessons for 4 years and this summer will be in a local 4-H program to show horses. Jay & Ann are obviously into animals…they train their horses to become ‘search and rescue’ horses. This region of Florida has some dense forests and water areas and it’s not uncommon for people to get lost in these locations. Because of the land make up…cars can’t always be utilized to search for these people…but horses can be. Their horses are not only beautiful…but well-trained…beneficial animals. We enjoyed a nice lunch at a local eatery and then back to the ranch to visit and give Mason a chance to swim in their pool. Jay & Ann and Cindy & I had a few minutes to talk alone about our concerns and hopes for Eric & Julie and particularly Mason. We all want the best for them and agreed to support their efforts however we can. After a fun day, we headed back to Julie & Eric’s. A storm had passed through the area while we were away…and their home was without power. Cindy & I headed back to the hotel to grab a bite to eat and hear from the kids that they had power back. One of our other concerns during the day…was the news of whether our Purdue basketball coach was going to leave and go to another school to become their new coach. We sure didn’t want him to go…and by later in the day…the word came that he had decided to stay at Purdue. We breathed easier after hearing that. A fun, enjoyable day…to meet some nice folks. Dan