Nomad Life - Day 72

I was awake at 0630 but didn't get out of bed immediately because my room at John and Ann's was very comfortable.  Before officially starting my day, I read, did puzzles and got organized.  At about 0800, I went out into the family area and found John making pancakes for the family.  He and I had a nice talk (mostly about work but also about some items of interest for my upcoming trip to Asia).  Meanwhile, it was raining pretty steadily outside.  After a hearty breakfast, I returned to my room to make arrangements for my upcoming trip to Los Angeles.  Along the way, I figured out a good strategy for a Park-Sleep-Fly scenario.  Finished with that, I returned to the common area and found that Ann and Duncan (along with Midge) were stirring too.  This larger group allowed for a bit more conversation and catch up.  As lunch time approached (1130), I offered to take everyone to lunch nearby and my cousins immediately knew where we should go: Liberty Market.  At first, I thought we'd be eating in Chandler but, when I realized the restaurant was actually in Gilbert (where Ellen and David live), I realized that I could just stay there after we finished eating.  With everyone in agreement on this plan, I quickly packed up my belongings and made room in the front seat of my car for John to ride with me to the restaurant (so I wouldn't get lost).  By this time, the rain had stopped and the sun started to heat up the damp ground - temps eventually soared into the high 80s again.  While parking and walking towards the restaurant, I marveled at the pretty downtown area and the many vibrant shops that Gilbert had.  Once John and I located the rest of the family (Declan included) outside Liberty Market (1145), we sat down inside the restaurant.  At the table, we ordered lunch (Caesar salad and mac & cheese for me).  It was great to be able to chat with everyone about life and plans and I enjoyed the food.  We finished eating at about 1315 - afterwards. John and I walked around in the pretty downtown area of Gilbert while Ann the boys went furniture shopping.  The design of the town was very interesting to me (from an engineering standpoint), with lots of man-made runoff areas for water, fountains, bike paths, etc.  We finished with our walk at 1400 and I said goodbye to John and his family.  Next, I drove a short distance towards Ellen and David's home.  Since we agreed that I'd arrive at 1430, I decided to spend some time walking inside of a (cool) nearby Lowe's.  After getting about half of my daily steps, I drove the rest of the way to Ellen and David's.  When I arrived, I was very impressed by their beautiful home - it was so homey and welcoming!  I met their dogs (Rocky and Zoey) and we talked for about 30 minutes before everyone had to start getting ready for Mass.  During this window, David's dad (David Sr.) arrived and I talked to him for a bit.  At 1545, we all got into David Sr.'s truck and drove a short distance to St. Anne's Catholic Church (also in Gilbert).  The "worship complex" was uncommonly large, with beautiful architecture, spacious grounds, lots of interesting artwork, an Our Lady of Guadeloupe Shrine, voter registration, very visible Knights of Columbus presence and clear signs that this was a great Parish.  I learned later that there were three priests and five deacons at the church!  We arrived just as Mass began (1600) and, fortunately (I guess it is normally very difficult), were able to find a place to sit.  The service seemed familiar, especially after seeing many other Masses in different places on this trip.  What I liked most, however, was that this was another "family church" of my relatives - it was clear that my cousins really love their Parish! When the service was completed (1705), we reconvened outside and Ellen showed me where she and David had added a little plaque (near the entrance to the Adoration Chapel) that memorialized her brother (my cousin), Chuck - that was so nice!  Overall, I'd have to say that this might have been the nicest Catholic Churches I've ever seen in the US.  Back in the car, David drove us to the Historic downtown area of Chandler (ironic, since I hadn't seen it with John) so we could have dinner at DC Steak House.  We were seated by 1745 and ordered some appetizers (Arancini and delicious bread). I got a Prairie Old Fashioned (good) and, for my entree, I had a 7 oz filet mignon with a side of broccoli (all the meals came with a side salad).  The conversation was light and fun and Robert contributed some good humor in his menu choices and "grown up" behavior at the table.  At about 1930, we were finished eating and headed back to Gilbert - we arrived just before 2000.  By then, the outside air had cooled (low 80s) and I took a walk in Ellen and David's gated community.  I got the rest of my 10K steps along the way - seems like it would be hard to be active very much with the blazing heat of the day... Back at the house, I found the family watching a baking show on David's huge (84 inch) TV.  Meanwhile, Robert was dying to change the channel to a Star Trek episode and David eventually obliged.  He also set me up with a glass of Blanton's Whiskey (good).  The family enjoyed an episode of DS9 that that everyone had already seen (an oldie but goodie).  Thankfully, the dogs were gradually warming to me.  At 2200, even with Robert's request to watch another DS9 episode, I excused myself and adjourned to their guest room - it was so comfortable and nice - where I did a little bit of reading.  I also caught up with folks I've visited earlier in the trip, along with folks who I hope to see in the future.  It was finally "lights out" time at 2220 and I was asleep shortly afterwards.  What an amazing day of visiting!