Friday, October 17, 2008

It's Friday, and clear and cool and just beautiful. Laura taps on our connecting door and hops into bed with Grandma Vicki to have her first [of three] breakfast. Vicki reads to her as Laura just loves books.



I'm dressed and ready first so I take Laura exploring AFTER we have her second breakfast in the restaurant. There's a covered bridge on the property, streams, a few little waterfalls, and lovely wooden swings scattered about the property.



We gather the Clan together and then head out to Cold Hollow and sample some cider and cider donuts [breakfast 3 for Laura]. The adults even sample some of Vermont's hard cider and fruity wines. One wine I particularly enjoyed was a cranberry wine. Nice.

And here is the Apple of Our Eyes. Laura didn't want to pose in this at first, but when she saw the picture on my camera, she totally got into it and Sue took lots more shots. Yes, Laura is a Hambone!



After leaving Cold Hollow, we drover over to Stowe and took a long walk on one of the many trails. It's just so beautiful here, as you can see from the following.



One of the farmers sets up a Maze through the corn at this time of year. We didn't go into it as Laura and Josh were back at the car asleep. No, they were NOT left alone - Carol was there and then Vicki cut her walk short and went back as well.

More pictures of our walk follow. You can see how beautiful it is. I would walk miles every day if I had these views.

After our walk, Sue, Vicki and I drove over to Burlington to get Chris. He attends UVM majoring in music. Here is is meeting Josh for the first time in person.

Sue and Jim picked up Pat from soccer practice and we all met at The Alchemist for supper. It's a brew pub that Steve is quite fond of. I tasted his two IPA choices - very good. The food was pub food but not that spectacular except for the garlic mayo used to dip the fries into! WOW. Really good.

Laura enjoyed herself but the noise was just too loud. Here she is with Vicki being loved by all.

We all then went back to our hotel and took over the Community Room where was enjoyed pumpkin pie from Cold Hollow and games in the game room. I must say, Laura wore me out. If I have 1/5 of her energy!!!!!

Tomorrow, we're going back to Stowe for breakfast at McCarthy's, a swim in the pool at the hotel, Pat's last soccer game of the season, dinner and then Chris' gig. A full day is planned so I must close. I'll try to get shots of all the festivities.

October 17, 2008

Thursday morning - the mountains are shrouded in heavy clouds and wisps of fog. It's raining! Thank God we drove up on Wednesday. It wouldn't have been fun driving 6 hours in the rain.

Vicki and I drive to Northfield Falls where my brother is postmaster. We get there at about 11am and he's pretty much in shock as we didn't tell him we were coming a day early.

A few years ago, Vicki made this collage of cancelled stamps for his office [see below]. The son of one of his customers loved it so much, Vicki made one for him as well.



Matt, Carol, Laura and Josh arrive from Seekonk, Mass. at around 3:45. I'd not seen Josh since May and has he ever grown. Of course, Laura is as amazing and brilliant as ever.

Here is Laura trying on her new gloves that Grandma Vicki brought for her.



Steve arrives at around 4:30. When he left Hackensack, he went up the coast of Connecticut, etc., staying in or around Portland, Maine on Wednesday night.

We all then headed up the mountain to my brother's home. He and Sue are grilling chicken, burgers and dogs tonight.

Here, Josh takes a power nap in the arms of my brother.



Josh and Steve hang out with the rest of the clan.



Josh takes to the bottle of Smuttynose Ale.

We really had some fun at Jim and Sue's. We're planning to do a little bit of easy hiking on Friday. Maybe at the Trapp Lodge property or over in Stowe.

Nite for now.

October 15, 2008 Wednesday

We have decided to go to Vermont on Wednesday instead of Thursday. We've told Steve and the Seekonk clan, but we've not told the Waterbury folks - which is where we're going.

Steve and I had dinner at Benzi's in Hasbrouck Heights last night. He won the ordering competition. I had angel hair pasta with spinach and sun dried tomatoes - very good. However, he had crab encrusted sea bass which was just grand. After we had dinner, we went home to wait for Vicki and then went to the Arena Diner for dessert. Vicki had dinner - grilled cheese; Steve had chocolate pie and I had the best pumpkin pie I've had in years. WOW was it ever good. I'm sure when I get back to Dallas, everyone will see the GAIN I've made due to eating.

This morning, Steve left for Maine and Vicki and I headed to Waterbury, VT. We stopped at a gas station to fill up. In case you don't know, you're not allowed to pump your own gas in New Jersey - or Oregon, for that matter. So, we filled up and I spotted this on another vehicle:



I saw a t-shirt down the shore that said the same thing and almost bought it but this is better - and free.

So, Vic and I left about 10 and headed north. The New York Thruway and the Northway were just beautiful. Colors were vibrant but I'm sure these photos don't do it justice. In any case, here they are:

We checked into the Best Western in Waterbury a day before the rest of the family. We've not told Jim so they don't know we're here.

The hotel has a restaurant run by a chef from the New England Culinary Institute. Totally unexpected yumminess. Vicki had parmesan crusted chicken and I had an apple and calvados porterhouse port chop. We were both very please with our meals.

No dessert. Maybe an apple later. In any case, we grabbed our laptops and hopped into bed, clad in our jammies.

We scoped out the fitness facilities here and will do at least 30 minutes in the morning. We then plan to go to Northfield to surprise my brother, the Post Master of the Northfield Post Office. Should be fun.

So, we're here and we're having a really terrific time. The foliage on this side of the moutain are mostly gone but it's just wonderful here.

Please come back in a day or so for a new post. Til then, a Green Mountain Good Night!

XO Sash

October 13, 2008

Monday morning! Thank you, Christopher Columbus, for discovering America. We left Denice and Marie's just after 8 a.m. and headed to the Stafford Diner in Manahawken for a typical diner breakfast. Annette and John met us and she told us wonderful stories of her granddaughter, Leah. After our visit, we decided to take the Road Less Traveled along the Jersey coast. And was it ever terrific. When Steve and I were "kids" we went to Lavallette, NJ and this is a pretty nice depiction of the seaside.



Of course, I HAD to test the water. And being a true Jersey Girl, I KNOW the water in October is warmer than in the summer. It was really nice.



Onward north on the coastal road, we happened upon Asbury Park where The Boss got his start. Here is The Stone Pony where Bruce Springsteen first played.



We traveled through so many wonderful towns. Avalon, Avon By The Sea, Deal, Bel Mar and Long Branch. In fact, in Long Branch, we stumbled upon a hot dog legend. This establishment has been in business since 1928 and has sold dogs to the likes of Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, Cardinal O'Connor and many more. Max was amazing. The dogs were great but you can skip the fries as they were too greasy. However, the size of the dog was HUGE.

We ventured on north and found The Highlands. One of my favorite things is/are lighthouses. There is one on the Jersey coast that is called Navasink Twin Lights. Vicki, my wonderful chauffeur, was kind enough to seach for this place. She spoke with some folks who gave her specific, clear instructions and we got there. The Twin Lights are situated at one of the highest points on the Jersey coast - 200 ft. Marconi sent his first telegraph from there. It's at the mouth of the New York harbor and the view from the site is stupendous. I wish we could have been in a helicopter to photograph the full panoram of the site. The following are the best i could do.

So, that was our trip for today. Steve arrived at about 8 o'clock this evening. He drove from Dallas to Rehboth, Delaware We're going to go up to Vermont on Thursday [maybe Wednesday], so there will be photos of fall foliage and our wonderful family.

Please continue checking out my blog from time to time. I have so much fun doing it, but you must send your reviews.

See you in a day or two.

Columbus Day Weekend

Okay, good morning, it's Sunday. And sit down. FOUR women got ready and out of house before 9:45 am. We're driving down to the tip of New Jersey, Cape May, and starting from there. Cape May is amazing - very Victorian and thoroughly lovely. There is a part of the town that is restricted to vehicle traffic - pedestrians only. Yes, we shopped and ate a lovely little lunch in an Irish Pub.

Here are a few examples of the Victorian feel.

We then drove up Ocean Drive to The Wildwoods, where Vicki and I spent some school years. It's called The Wildwoods because there is Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, Wildwood and North Wildwood [where we lived]. Of course, we traveled down memory lane and visited our old haunts. Sorry, no pictures of any of the Wildwoods. Too poignant.

Instead of traveling north on the Garden State Parkway, we took the coastal route and drove through all the wonderful little coast towns, like Stone Harbor, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Avalon, ending up in Ocean City where I took these shots. Nice, eh?

We decided to walk the boardwalk in Ocean City [which is an absolutely lovely town]. They were having a Seafood Festival for the end of the season. We were going to eat at the Inlet so we didn't partake of any of the food on the boardwalk - which smelled WONDERFUL. Here is a just a little our taste [use your imagination] of the boardwalk.

And below is a picture of me, Vicki and Denice which was taken by a total stranger who just happened along - WHAT? - being so very nice!

We drove over to Somers Point to have dinner at The Inlet BUT it had been taken over by a private party and we had to move along. We ended up at Mac's which is a local watering hole and restaurant. Ron, our waiter, was friendly, professionaly and downright nice.

I ordered fresh-caught scallops which were mighty tasty.

Vicki ordered Havana Pork Chops which were wonderfule [she let me taste a bite]. Denice and Marie had flounder which they said was great.

Another one of those rude, unfriendly New Jerseyites was kind enough [must have been drunk] to take our picture. Of course, I fainted because NJ people are RUDE.

If you ever drive through Somers Point, NJ, stop at:

We then went back to Denice and Marie's for more cheesecake. No pictures to prove this event.

Denice and Marie are the most incredible hostesses ever.

See ya manana!

October 11, 2008

On Saturday morning, Vicki and I got up [not so bright and early] and drove down to Little Egg Harbor to spend the 3 day weekend with Denice and her mother Marie. We sang all the way down, listening to the Jersey Boys sound track. I'm sure those who saw us thought we were two wacky old ladies - which I'm proud to say WE ARE!!!

We got to Denice's house, dropped our things off and dragged her into the car. Marie stayed home preparing our wonderful feast for later that night.

We drove over to Long Beach Island and headed north to see the Barnegate Light House. Wonder of wonders, there was a huges festival going on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the lighthouse. There were concerts, exhibits and lots of people. Here I am WAY in front of the lighthouse. Jay and I LOVE lighthouses and have visited many on the west coast. We didn't climb it as the line was way too long.

We walked out one of the jetties. People were fishing everywhere. Here are Vicki and Denice.

I must say something here. People are always saying negative things about folks from New York and New Jersey AND I'M TIRED OF IT. We met so many nice, friendly people who were helpful, extremely friendly, courteous and downright NICE. This nice lady let me take a picture of her shirt [which I thought was great] and even told us where we could buy them. She said I was the only person who "got" it. Okay, New Jersey folks are really nice but maybe some of them aren't too bright - if they didn't get it.

So, off we went to Viking Village. It was full of fishing boats and little shops - not the touristy kind - the local shops. No, I didn't buy the shirt. Below is Denice and me in front of a handpainted mural. Cool!

Okay, here you will find Vicki and me being wacky!

Vicki used to be a two pint a night gal but has kicked the habit. She she did have a little slip after dinner.

Marie prepared an STUPENDOUS pot roast dinner with all her trimmings. Marie is on the left and is a stunning 84 years YOUNG. She is one of the move vibrant, energetic and fun gals I know, as you will see in future day postings.

So, after the wonderful dinner, home-made PERFECT cheesecake, wine, etc., we waddled off to bed for a much deserved rest.

Tune in tomorrow for a day at the shore!

October 8, 2008

The last few days, Vicki and I have been not doing anything much. On Monday, we did a little shopping. Zero sales tax on clothing, so I got a few pants.

Tuesday, we took Lorraine to lunch and a movie for her birthday. We ate at Grand Lux which just opened here a few months ago, and saw Nights in Rodanthe.

Today, we did a little more shopping for the Vermont trip. I got a sweater, cords and shoes.

This is one of the Wood-Ridge, New Jersey welcome signs. As you can see, the trees haven't yet begun to turn.





However, this rebel tree has turned and is beautiful.




This house near my Mother's old house is one of the many that is all decked out for Halloween. There's a street near Vicki's in Hackensack that is amazing. I'll get shots of that closer to the end of the month. O goody - you have something to look forward to!!!



Look at this! Gasoline [regular] is $2.99 a gallon. When I got here last Wednesday, it was $3.15.




Here is Wood-Ridge High School. All four [Me, Vicki, Jim and Kathy] of us graduated from here. Pretty, isn't it?




Here is Vicki, taking border bricks from my Mom's old house. Bridget and Jeff said she could, as they're re-doing all the landscaping. That's Mom's [Bridget and Jeff's] house on the left, and Rocky and Lorraine's on the right. Mom and Neil moved into the house in August 1959; Rocky and Lorraine moved in in July, 1959. Very dear, dear friends.

Now, Vicki has to unload the border bricks at her house. I helped, but just with a few, as I am the oldest and mustn't exert myself.

We stopped at Regent Care, where my Mother spent her last days, and visited Mary Perman, Lorraine's mother. That's Lorraine on the left. Mary celebrated her 95th birthday in September. Lorraine made a wonderful party for her. We saw several of the nurses and aides who took care of Mom.

As we leave Regent Care, Lorraine has misplaced her car keys.

We're grilling steaks tonight on Vicki's semi-new [I bought it for her in May] grill. It will be the first time it's being used.

I must say, after watching the presidential debate last night, that I sure wish John Adams had been nominated - or Abe Lincoln - or Thomas Jefferson. Neither one of the nominees has rolled my socks down. I must do more investigating before I cast my vote.

Please tune in again in a day or two for more of our fun-filled adventures. Perhaps another shot of Stop and Shop - or maybe Shop Rite?!?!?! But wait, we're going down the shore on Saturday until Monday, so the pictures might not be quite so mundane!