Enjoy!!
Many thanks to Carrie, Justin and Mariah, John and Carolyn, Suzie, Billy and Janice, Sandy, Ozzie, Heather, Triston and all the folks we met while on our vacation to the East Coast.
Gary asked what the favorite part of my trip was. I said "The People. They are the ones that made it special for us."
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
6/16, Friday - To Reno and Beyond
We pack a bag for Molly Brown and drop her off at FurPersons. She is so excited to get there. She just wants IN! NOW! So we don't feel bad about leaving her there. The staff there loves her.
We expect to have lunch at Bartle Lodge but find Linda is still serving breakfast. We have breakfast!
Our drive to Reno is uneventful.
We stop at Carrie and Justin's to make a plan for dinner. I get to see some of Carrie's art that I have only seen on line. Wow, the girl is so talented. I love the florals she has done. She also has her paint and sip picture on her wall of fame. We are lucky Justin is home from work and he can join us for dinner.
Before dinner, we drive over to Carolyn and John's to see their remodeled bathroom. They have gone to the top with this bathroom upgrade. They got rid of the big soaking tub and had a fantastic shower installed with wonderful touches in the finishes. There are other upgrades to the paint, guest bathroom and the fireplace surround in their bedroom.
The Poop d'resistance is their Toto Toilet. It is programmable, washes and dries front and back. Remembers the user, is preheated, and self closing. What will they think of next? In hot, hot Reno summer I would want to be a guest in their bathroom.
We all meet at Casa Grande for dinner. Mariah comes too. So nice to see our beautiful grand girl. She is busy this summer with 2 jobs and a boyfriend. I hope she finds time to sleep.
After dinner we drop ourselves and luggage off at John and Carolyn's. They will drive us to the Reno airport for our Red Eye flight to Kentucky.
Mariah drives our car to Carrie's house where it will be parked for the duration of our trip.
We expect to have lunch at Bartle Lodge but find Linda is still serving breakfast. We have breakfast!
Our drive to Reno is uneventful.
We stop at Carrie and Justin's to make a plan for dinner. I get to see some of Carrie's art that I have only seen on line. Wow, the girl is so talented. I love the florals she has done. She also has her paint and sip picture on her wall of fame. We are lucky Justin is home from work and he can join us for dinner.
Before dinner, we drive over to Carolyn and John's to see their remodeled bathroom. They have gone to the top with this bathroom upgrade. They got rid of the big soaking tub and had a fantastic shower installed with wonderful touches in the finishes. There are other upgrades to the paint, guest bathroom and the fireplace surround in their bedroom.
The Poop d'resistance is their Toto Toilet. It is programmable, washes and dries front and back. Remembers the user, is preheated, and self closing. What will they think of next? In hot, hot Reno summer I would want to be a guest in their bathroom.
We all meet at Casa Grande for dinner. Mariah comes too. So nice to see our beautiful grand girl. She is busy this summer with 2 jobs and a boyfriend. I hope she finds time to sleep.
After dinner we drop ourselves and luggage off at John and Carolyn's. They will drive us to the Reno airport for our Red Eye flight to Kentucky.
Mariah drives our car to Carrie's house where it will be parked for the duration of our trip.
6/17, Saturday - The Red Eye and Green, Green Kentucky
We spend all night on the plane landing at Chicago O'Hare airport and then flying in to Cincinnati Logan Airport, arriving in the morning.
Suzie is just coming down the escalator when we are going up the other side. That is really the story of our friendship. We always find each other where ever we are. From our first meeting in Sturgis, SD to our meet in Cheyenne WY in 2015. I hope it is always like that.
As we drive to Dry Ridge Gary remarks that he sees many people mowing their lawns. He considers lawn mowing to be the state pass time.
We drive to lunch in a packed local restaurant and then to her home to unload and then get a tour of their place.
Suzie and Dick built this place a few years ago. We have heard of it but never seen it. The house is 2 story. The first story being the living quarters with a big deck off of the living room and dining area. A roomy kitchen and wash area, bedrooms, bathroom and 2 car garage. Family heirloom furniture rests beautifully throughout their home and some of Suzie's eye-catching quilt projects decorate the walls. Her hand-crocheted pineapple pattern circular table cloth takes my breath away.
The bottom floor is Suzie's quilting room. It is so well done. She has quilt groups there and has one planned next week for cancer quilts, after we leave.
She shows us Dick's shop, additional car space, wood working equipment, cycling mementos, motorcycling mementos. All things Dicky.
We decide to drive to Billy's big boat (Suzie's son). He has been working on it today and keeping his Setter Phoebe cool with the ac on inside. It is so lovely to sit on a boat and talk about the day. It is so nice to pet a nice, pretty dog like Phoebe (who makes us miss our Molly Brown).
Billy suggests Dinner (late lunch/early dinner) at Jewell's On Main, a local restaurant with a world-wide reputation. I must say the food is good. The company is better. It is a family restaurant and you have to get in line to get served. Happy for the experience.
Once back at Suzie's I nap and wake to find Gary and Suzie binge watching "Heartland" on Netflix so I join in until bed time.
Suzie is just coming down the escalator when we are going up the other side. That is really the story of our friendship. We always find each other where ever we are. From our first meeting in Sturgis, SD to our meet in Cheyenne WY in 2015. I hope it is always like that.
As we drive to Dry Ridge Gary remarks that he sees many people mowing their lawns. He considers lawn mowing to be the state pass time.
We drive to lunch in a packed local restaurant and then to her home to unload and then get a tour of their place.
Suzie and Dick built this place a few years ago. We have heard of it but never seen it. The house is 2 story. The first story being the living quarters with a big deck off of the living room and dining area. A roomy kitchen and wash area, bedrooms, bathroom and 2 car garage. Family heirloom furniture rests beautifully throughout their home and some of Suzie's eye-catching quilt projects decorate the walls. Her hand-crocheted pineapple pattern circular table cloth takes my breath away.
The bottom floor is Suzie's quilting room. It is so well done. She has quilt groups there and has one planned next week for cancer quilts, after we leave.
She shows us Dick's shop, additional car space, wood working equipment, cycling mementos, motorcycling mementos. All things Dicky.
We decide to drive to Billy's big boat (Suzie's son). He has been working on it today and keeping his Setter Phoebe cool with the ac on inside. It is so lovely to sit on a boat and talk about the day. It is so nice to pet a nice, pretty dog like Phoebe (who makes us miss our Molly Brown).
Billy suggests Dinner (late lunch/early dinner) at Jewell's On Main, a local restaurant with a world-wide reputation. I must say the food is good. The company is better. It is a family restaurant and you have to get in line to get served. Happy for the experience.
Once back at Suzie's I nap and wake to find Gary and Suzie binge watching "Heartland" on Netflix so I join in until bed time.
6/18, Sunday - Father's Day and Four Wheeling in Corinth KY
Today is Father's Day.
We struggle through making two different kinds of coffee at Suzie's. She has all the fixings, we just have to figure out how to make it work.
We have breakfast at Cracker Barrel and everyone knows Suzie, gives her hugs and sends love to Dick. Janice, a good friend to Suzie who looks like she and Suzie could be related, shows up a little late but start telling stories right away. She has a Kentucky accent and it lends to the fun flavor of her stories.
Breakfast is good. I had grits for the first time. Reminded me of cream of wheat and I liked them sweet. The specialty apple butter was good too AND the syrup with some real maple syrup in it in cute little glass jars. (Like a little liquor bottle but with syrup instead of liquor).
We drive to Lexington, in Suzie's car, where Dick is staying at The Lantern at Morning Point. All the while Janice is regaling us with great stories about many things including "little man hands". I was in tears with that story. The drive is interesting to say the least.
We find Dick in the lobby. He is slouched down in his chair. His chin has slid down in to the hard collar they have him wearing for his neck issues.
Suzie and Janice introduce themselves. Suzie adjusts the collar so Dick can see forward. Gary get's down at eye level and Dick's face just lights up when he realizes who he is looking at. (He didn't recognize me but knew who I was after he saw Gary). Dick gets up and uses his little push walker and we go to his room.
They allow you to bring your own furniture and decorations in to the facility. Dick has his wonderful cycling photos and a fantastic quilt that Suzie has made from his Harley Tshirts. Dick opens his cards and gifts and we chat. He looses train of thought easily.
The staff nurse comes in to check on us and let us know that lunch will start in about 20 minutes. They are taking good care of him there.
This is all so sad. Dick has been a good friend for many years and seeing him so frail is heart breaking. Suzie is doing the best she can but she misses her man, you can tell.
As Dick is seated to lunch Gary tries to find a bath room and sets of the alarm on the front door. Then when he is in the BR he locks the door and I watch a young nurse start to use her key to open the door to see who is in there with the door locked. I talk loud enough to stop her and moments later Gary steps out. It is a good tension breaker after our visit with Dick.
We drop Janice off at her car in Dry Ridge and continue to lunch at Suzie's.
After lunch we drive to Billy's in Corinth. He offers to take us for a ride in his 4x4. Suzie gets in and belts in and I follow her lead. It has been raining. The trees and tall grasses are wet so we get a soaking on this butt-clenching tour around his property. We jump some deer. We visit his tobacco barn (which is not old). The view from the top of his property is really beautiful. These are things you hear about as a kid but never get to see.
Billy has not set (planted) any tobacco but has a nice garden with a tall deer fence.
There are two geometric panels on his property. These are painted quilt blocks. Many of the barns in Kentucky sport these colorful blocks. They are part of the "Quilt Trail" For a better understanding look up Kentucky Barn Quilt Map on Google. I get some nice photos of the two on his property. They are bright and remind me of the decorative Hex signs on Pennsylvania barns.
Billy and Gary start talking cars and old cars so Suzie and I go sit on his porch while they talk it out.
We drive back to Suzie's for dinner, the crock pot pork roast she cooked yesterday with all the fixings.
My hair is sure curly here in moist Kentucky.
We struggle through making two different kinds of coffee at Suzie's. She has all the fixings, we just have to figure out how to make it work.
We have breakfast at Cracker Barrel and everyone knows Suzie, gives her hugs and sends love to Dick. Janice, a good friend to Suzie who looks like she and Suzie could be related, shows up a little late but start telling stories right away. She has a Kentucky accent and it lends to the fun flavor of her stories.
Breakfast is good. I had grits for the first time. Reminded me of cream of wheat and I liked them sweet. The specialty apple butter was good too AND the syrup with some real maple syrup in it in cute little glass jars. (Like a little liquor bottle but with syrup instead of liquor).
We drive to Lexington, in Suzie's car, where Dick is staying at The Lantern at Morning Point. All the while Janice is regaling us with great stories about many things including "little man hands". I was in tears with that story. The drive is interesting to say the least.
We find Dick in the lobby. He is slouched down in his chair. His chin has slid down in to the hard collar they have him wearing for his neck issues.
Suzie and Janice introduce themselves. Suzie adjusts the collar so Dick can see forward. Gary get's down at eye level and Dick's face just lights up when he realizes who he is looking at. (He didn't recognize me but knew who I was after he saw Gary). Dick gets up and uses his little push walker and we go to his room.
They allow you to bring your own furniture and decorations in to the facility. Dick has his wonderful cycling photos and a fantastic quilt that Suzie has made from his Harley Tshirts. Dick opens his cards and gifts and we chat. He looses train of thought easily.
The staff nurse comes in to check on us and let us know that lunch will start in about 20 minutes. They are taking good care of him there.
This is all so sad. Dick has been a good friend for many years and seeing him so frail is heart breaking. Suzie is doing the best she can but she misses her man, you can tell.
As Dick is seated to lunch Gary tries to find a bath room and sets of the alarm on the front door. Then when he is in the BR he locks the door and I watch a young nurse start to use her key to open the door to see who is in there with the door locked. I talk loud enough to stop her and moments later Gary steps out. It is a good tension breaker after our visit with Dick.
We drop Janice off at her car in Dry Ridge and continue to lunch at Suzie's.
After lunch we drive to Billy's in Corinth. He offers to take us for a ride in his 4x4. Suzie gets in and belts in and I follow her lead. It has been raining. The trees and tall grasses are wet so we get a soaking on this butt-clenching tour around his property. We jump some deer. We visit his tobacco barn (which is not old). The view from the top of his property is really beautiful. These are things you hear about as a kid but never get to see.
Billy has not set (planted) any tobacco but has a nice garden with a tall deer fence.
There are two geometric panels on his property. These are painted quilt blocks. Many of the barns in Kentucky sport these colorful blocks. They are part of the "Quilt Trail" For a better understanding look up Kentucky Barn Quilt Map on Google. I get some nice photos of the two on his property. They are bright and remind me of the decorative Hex signs on Pennsylvania barns.
Billy and Gary start talking cars and old cars so Suzie and I go sit on his porch while they talk it out.
We drive back to Suzie's for dinner, the crock pot pork roast she cooked yesterday with all the fixings.
My hair is sure curly here in moist Kentucky.
6/19 - Monday - Kentucky, Indiana, Kentucky
Off on the back roads of Kentucky to Indiana. Tobacco barns, fields of tobacco and corn growing at different stages. Horses and foals and endless green lawn.
We end up in Vevay, Indiana at the Switzerland County Historical Society museum. Consisting of two buildings chock full of Ohio River lore and history of the Swiss pioneers who settled in the area.
Gary is tall so the Director asks him to post the flag for the day.
After, Gary asks to go down to the Ohio River and a big barge is coming up river with covered cargo. Really amazing sight.
Suzie drives us over the mountain top to the Amish store for lunch. A bigger deli sandwich you have never seen.
We visit the locks from the 3 story viewing platform. My stomach is in my throat but the breeze is cool off of the river.
Back to Dry Ridge and a tour around the neighborhood.
Gary barbecues for dinner and Suzie mentions fireflies and moonshine. I say that sounds like a good poem to me. She sets us up with a taste, just a taste of moon shine and we wait for the fireflies to appear.
As the sun goes down the little bugs appear with quick flashes of light. They start out in the grass, and as day darkens to night they flit up in to the trees and look like fairies sending out messages in firefly code.
What a beautiful end to the day. A child hood dream come true to see the Kentucky fireflies.
Never seen 'em.
Never thought I would.
Fireflies flitting
In Kentucky Wood.
From the dewy grass
To their tree top bower
Little butts that shine
Blinking through the hours.
We end up in Vevay, Indiana at the Switzerland County Historical Society museum. Consisting of two buildings chock full of Ohio River lore and history of the Swiss pioneers who settled in the area.
Gary is tall so the Director asks him to post the flag for the day.
After, Gary asks to go down to the Ohio River and a big barge is coming up river with covered cargo. Really amazing sight.
Suzie drives us over the mountain top to the Amish store for lunch. A bigger deli sandwich you have never seen.
We visit the locks from the 3 story viewing platform. My stomach is in my throat but the breeze is cool off of the river.
Back to Dry Ridge and a tour around the neighborhood.
Gary barbecues for dinner and Suzie mentions fireflies and moonshine. I say that sounds like a good poem to me. She sets us up with a taste, just a taste of moon shine and we wait for the fireflies to appear.
As the sun goes down the little bugs appear with quick flashes of light. They start out in the grass, and as day darkens to night they flit up in to the trees and look like fairies sending out messages in firefly code.
What a beautiful end to the day. A child hood dream come true to see the Kentucky fireflies.
Never seen 'em.
Never thought I would.
Fireflies flitting
In Kentucky Wood.
From the dewy grass
To their tree top bower
Little butts that shine
Blinking through the hours.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
6/20, Tuesday - Quilts and Kentucky Race Horses
A private quilt showing starts the day in Dry Ridge. Mrs Davis pulls out all of her quilts and some of her family heirloom quilts as well.
We have breakfast at Cracker Barrel again. It is very good. Suzie gets hugs from most of the wait staff there.
I had my heart set on driving to the Racing Museum at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Suzie suggests Old Friends ranch in Georgetown KY. This group has made it a personal goal to rescue old race horses so they can live out their lives running in the green paddocks in Kentucky.
We get there and have missed the tour. That throws a horse shoe in to our plans as our flight leaves tonight and we can't stick around for the next tour.
Do you have a place I can walk to to take some photos? I ask. It would be awful to come to Kentucky and not get a photo of a horse. As I am talking to the lady a man stands asks what the concern is. Suzie explains that we came to see horses but are on a time limit because of the flight. Come on, he says. Lets get in the golf cart and I will give you an abbreviated tour. We are having a farrier class on the ranch today he explains.
Once in the 4 man golf cart he grabs a bucket full of carrot pieces and off we go. I don't know why anyone would give a horse drugs, he says. They will do anything for carrots.
We drive to the paddock where American Champion race horse Silver Charm comes running when the man shouts "Who is the most beautiful horse in the universe?" This fellow has great rapport with Silver Charm who rubs lovingly on his shoulder for more carrots.
We then drive to the paddock of War Emblem. This horse is dangerous so we have him behind a double fence. It has taken over a year for us to gain his trust. He tried to kill several of us when he first got here. War Emblem was a successful racer but not a successful breeder he explains. He watches War Emblem but speaks to him with love and carrots. We get some beautiful shots of this thoroughbred.
We meet Archie next. An old racer that did not weigh enough for the slaughter house in New York. Blind in one eye and with no teeth this horse loves the man who is giving us this brief tour. And he loves small carrot pieces please.
I am not sure if they are doing it for love or money but these horses will have the best rest of their lives at Old Friends Retirement home for race horses.
Looking through the brochure later we find out the fellow who gave us the tour was the President of Old Friends, Michael Blowen.
Suzie drives us back to Dry Ridge to get our bags and then to the airport in Cincinnati. It is hard to say goodbye to our old friend. Suzie has been gracious and has introduced us to Heartland on Netflix. I wish Kenducky was next door to California so we were not so far apart.
The flight to Washington D.C. is no problem but we get stuck there waiting for the plane to come in from Boston. It is a long night before we get to Massachusetts. Bummed.
We have breakfast at Cracker Barrel again. It is very good. Suzie gets hugs from most of the wait staff there.
I had my heart set on driving to the Racing Museum at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Suzie suggests Old Friends ranch in Georgetown KY. This group has made it a personal goal to rescue old race horses so they can live out their lives running in the green paddocks in Kentucky.
We get there and have missed the tour. That throws a horse shoe in to our plans as our flight leaves tonight and we can't stick around for the next tour.
Do you have a place I can walk to to take some photos? I ask. It would be awful to come to Kentucky and not get a photo of a horse. As I am talking to the lady a man stands asks what the concern is. Suzie explains that we came to see horses but are on a time limit because of the flight. Come on, he says. Lets get in the golf cart and I will give you an abbreviated tour. We are having a farrier class on the ranch today he explains.
Once in the 4 man golf cart he grabs a bucket full of carrot pieces and off we go. I don't know why anyone would give a horse drugs, he says. They will do anything for carrots.
We drive to the paddock where American Champion race horse Silver Charm comes running when the man shouts "Who is the most beautiful horse in the universe?" This fellow has great rapport with Silver Charm who rubs lovingly on his shoulder for more carrots.
We then drive to the paddock of War Emblem. This horse is dangerous so we have him behind a double fence. It has taken over a year for us to gain his trust. He tried to kill several of us when he first got here. War Emblem was a successful racer but not a successful breeder he explains. He watches War Emblem but speaks to him with love and carrots. We get some beautiful shots of this thoroughbred.
We meet Archie next. An old racer that did not weigh enough for the slaughter house in New York. Blind in one eye and with no teeth this horse loves the man who is giving us this brief tour. And he loves small carrot pieces please.
I am not sure if they are doing it for love or money but these horses will have the best rest of their lives at Old Friends Retirement home for race horses.
Looking through the brochure later we find out the fellow who gave us the tour was the President of Old Friends, Michael Blowen.
Suzie drives us back to Dry Ridge to get our bags and then to the airport in Cincinnati. It is hard to say goodbye to our old friend. Suzie has been gracious and has introduced us to Heartland on Netflix. I wish Kenducky was next door to California so we were not so far apart.
The flight to Washington D.C. is no problem but we get stuck there waiting for the plane to come in from Boston. It is a long night before we get to Massachusetts. Bummed.
6/21, Wednesday - World Bagel and
After a late morning in Essex Sandy drives us over to Conomo Point to show us their new house. There are a lot of rules to summer living, year round living in Essex. There house has potential. The property is in an exceptional location. I think that is why they bought the house. Location is everything. They have a view of Essex River Basin marina from their front lawn.
We drive to Danvers to get our Enterprise rental car and mention lunch. The Enterprise Rep pipes up and recommends World Bagel and then says his favorite is the Chicken Salad. We decide that is the right fit for us. The restaurant is busy but we order our sandwiches (or bagelwiches) and grab a seat. We also get some extra breakfast bagels for the Essex house.
What we don't realize until then is that there are no grocery stores in Essex. Sandy leaves us to find our way back to Essex and goes to do some grocery shopping. Gary drives to Ipswich to find the train depot and see about riding the MBTA train in to Boston tomorrow.
We meet up with the Osborn's at Canomo Point. They drive us to dinner at Gloucester House, a nice restaurant on the pier at Gloucester, MA.
The wait staff is new, and dazed and confused. They ask for our drinks order then go away. They guys get their beers but ladies drinks are slow in coming. They ask Ozzie if he wants a beer with that glass? Ozzie's eyebrows fly in to question marks. We order an appetizer of fried clams, they are out of fried clam appetizer he says. So we order a dinner entree of fried clams and that seems to work for them. I try some fried clams for the first time ever.
We finally get our drinks. Dinner comes in a couple of deliveries. He comes out last with my sizzling platter of fried shrimp which is smoking like a wet forest fire. He is trying to see through the smoke waving his free hand before him. It is all to comical.
Then he says I will just hand this to you. Like he will pass this sizzling hot platter over the four of us in to my hands. Nuh-uh I say and Gary and I both vacate our chairs so he can set the hot, smokey mess down in my place.
Dinner is delicious, the company is the best. The owner knows Ozzie and Sandy and he comes over to chat a bit. The owner's wife comes over to chat as she is leaving work.
After dinner Ozzie drives us around Gloucester as sun sets. It is a beautiful introduction to Eastern seaboard sun set. I have only my cell phone but get some wonderful shots of Gloucester Bay. Sandy explains that Birdseye Foods and Gortons started here and are still in operation.
As we travel from east to west around Gloucester the sun sets more vibrantly. I realize I have left my jacket the restaurant and we drive back for it. Then decide to stop at the ice cream store for dessert. I must say vacation brings out the kid in me. I have an ice cream late at night with this fun group.
At about 3 am all of the fried food decides it has rested long enough in my stomach and about 3 good heaves brings it all up. The cream from the ice cream makes it come up a little easier. Not a good night.
We drive to Danvers to get our Enterprise rental car and mention lunch. The Enterprise Rep pipes up and recommends World Bagel and then says his favorite is the Chicken Salad. We decide that is the right fit for us. The restaurant is busy but we order our sandwiches (or bagelwiches) and grab a seat. We also get some extra breakfast bagels for the Essex house.
What we don't realize until then is that there are no grocery stores in Essex. Sandy leaves us to find our way back to Essex and goes to do some grocery shopping. Gary drives to Ipswich to find the train depot and see about riding the MBTA train in to Boston tomorrow.
We meet up with the Osborn's at Canomo Point. They drive us to dinner at Gloucester House, a nice restaurant on the pier at Gloucester, MA.
The wait staff is new, and dazed and confused. They ask for our drinks order then go away. They guys get their beers but ladies drinks are slow in coming. They ask Ozzie if he wants a beer with that glass? Ozzie's eyebrows fly in to question marks. We order an appetizer of fried clams, they are out of fried clam appetizer he says. So we order a dinner entree of fried clams and that seems to work for them. I try some fried clams for the first time ever.
We finally get our drinks. Dinner comes in a couple of deliveries. He comes out last with my sizzling platter of fried shrimp which is smoking like a wet forest fire. He is trying to see through the smoke waving his free hand before him. It is all to comical.
Then he says I will just hand this to you. Like he will pass this sizzling hot platter over the four of us in to my hands. Nuh-uh I say and Gary and I both vacate our chairs so he can set the hot, smokey mess down in my place.
Dinner is delicious, the company is the best. The owner knows Ozzie and Sandy and he comes over to chat a bit. The owner's wife comes over to chat as she is leaving work.
After dinner Ozzie drives us around Gloucester as sun sets. It is a beautiful introduction to Eastern seaboard sun set. I have only my cell phone but get some wonderful shots of Gloucester Bay. Sandy explains that Birdseye Foods and Gortons started here and are still in operation.
As we travel from east to west around Gloucester the sun sets more vibrantly. I realize I have left my jacket the restaurant and we drive back for it. Then decide to stop at the ice cream store for dessert. I must say vacation brings out the kid in me. I have an ice cream late at night with this fun group.
At about 3 am all of the fried food decides it has rested long enough in my stomach and about 3 good heaves brings it all up. The cream from the ice cream makes it come up a little easier. Not a good night.
6/22 - Thursday - Hostorical Boston and Contact Golf
Up early in Essex after such a crummy night.
Our plan today is to ride the MBTA in to Boston and walk the Freedom Trail. We park our rental car at the North Beverly Station. We talk to locals getting ready to ride to work who say we can buy a ticket once we board the train.
Once on board a lady conductor asks where we are going, how many, round trip? She produces a ticket and ticket puncher and then, like the Conductor on the Polar Express, multi punches our ticket and hands it back to Gary.
Riding the train, we watch the road traffic in to Boston and are SO glad we took the train.
Upon arrival at the station we see an Information booth. We go there and ask the man about riding the subway to the Freedom Trail. Go buy your ticket. He says. We buy tickets for 2 and ask the lady at the window where we catch the subway for the Freedom Trail. Go ask Information. She says. We go back to the same window we went to originally an ask our question again. Just go outside and ask anybody. He says. They will tell you what you need to know. Pick pocketed in Boston by the Information Guy!
We go outside. The city is a-bustle with every type of character. Sports are big here and there are huge team signs for hockey and baseball. We start walking around and find a transit policeman who is watching traffic for a road repair that is going on. We ask him about riding the subway to the Freedom Trail. He is a little puzzled at first. Then the light goes off.
He points at the sidewalk across the street. See the red line on the street? Some times it is paint but it is usually brick. That is the key to walk the Freedom Trail. If you follow that line, you will find the buildings you are looking for.
We decide to walk toward the Constitution battleship site and museum. Yes, we are following the red brick line. There is a lady in a wheel chair on the Charlestown Bridge. She has a big DSLR camera and is hoping to get photos of the last tall ship as it leaves the harbor. She wheels along with us for a bit and we chat. There is a helicopter overhead hoping to get photos too. We miss the last ship as we follow the red line to the Constitution Museum. Tours for the Constitution don't start until 2 pm so we are out of luck there so we tour the museum. It is a fine museum with much hand's on stuff for kids, films and quizzes for adults.
At the home of Paul Revere the docent tell us that the wing back chair is also called a fireside chair. It is meant to be drawn close to the fire and the wings hold the heat close to the person sitting within. This reminded me of the beautiful wing back chairs Bill Mortensen made and are in John and Carolyn's home.
Once we finish that tour we walk back in to Boston, following the red bricks and find North Church and Paul Revere's house to tour through. These historical buildings are in the Little Italy section of Boston. I can tell you that the Italian Deli we stepped in to was delicious to the eyes. A little later we step in to a hole in the wall pizzeria and have a salad and a slice each.
The roads in this section of town are so narrow, built for carriages back in the 1600's
After lunch we head back to the terminal. Gary has a golf date with Ozzie and we want to be sure to catch the train out of Boston.
While Gary and Ozzie golf I get to visit with Sandy. One big question for every antique collector (or just collector) is how we are going to disperse our treasured collections. She has a good one.
We are planning on burgers and dogs at Conomo Point. When Gary and Ozzie get back from golf Gary is bleeding from several wounds on knee and elbow. It seems that golf is never to be played whilst wearing your bifocal lenses. And then cut his shin getting out of Ozzies truck. He is a mess.
We get him temporarily cleaned up for dinner. Heather and Bouy join us. Triston is ready to eat. After dinner we stay inside and talk story until it is time for us to drive back to the residence at the barn.
Our plan today is to ride the MBTA in to Boston and walk the Freedom Trail. We park our rental car at the North Beverly Station. We talk to locals getting ready to ride to work who say we can buy a ticket once we board the train.
Once on board a lady conductor asks where we are going, how many, round trip? She produces a ticket and ticket puncher and then, like the Conductor on the Polar Express, multi punches our ticket and hands it back to Gary.
Riding the train, we watch the road traffic in to Boston and are SO glad we took the train.
Upon arrival at the station we see an Information booth. We go there and ask the man about riding the subway to the Freedom Trail. Go buy your ticket. He says. We buy tickets for 2 and ask the lady at the window where we catch the subway for the Freedom Trail. Go ask Information. She says. We go back to the same window we went to originally an ask our question again. Just go outside and ask anybody. He says. They will tell you what you need to know. Pick pocketed in Boston by the Information Guy!
We go outside. The city is a-bustle with every type of character. Sports are big here and there are huge team signs for hockey and baseball. We start walking around and find a transit policeman who is watching traffic for a road repair that is going on. We ask him about riding the subway to the Freedom Trail. He is a little puzzled at first. Then the light goes off.
He points at the sidewalk across the street. See the red line on the street? Some times it is paint but it is usually brick. That is the key to walk the Freedom Trail. If you follow that line, you will find the buildings you are looking for.
We decide to walk toward the Constitution battleship site and museum. Yes, we are following the red brick line. There is a lady in a wheel chair on the Charlestown Bridge. She has a big DSLR camera and is hoping to get photos of the last tall ship as it leaves the harbor. She wheels along with us for a bit and we chat. There is a helicopter overhead hoping to get photos too. We miss the last ship as we follow the red line to the Constitution Museum. Tours for the Constitution don't start until 2 pm so we are out of luck there so we tour the museum. It is a fine museum with much hand's on stuff for kids, films and quizzes for adults.
At the home of Paul Revere the docent tell us that the wing back chair is also called a fireside chair. It is meant to be drawn close to the fire and the wings hold the heat close to the person sitting within. This reminded me of the beautiful wing back chairs Bill Mortensen made and are in John and Carolyn's home.
Once we finish that tour we walk back in to Boston, following the red bricks and find North Church and Paul Revere's house to tour through. These historical buildings are in the Little Italy section of Boston. I can tell you that the Italian Deli we stepped in to was delicious to the eyes. A little later we step in to a hole in the wall pizzeria and have a salad and a slice each.
The roads in this section of town are so narrow, built for carriages back in the 1600's
After lunch we head back to the terminal. Gary has a golf date with Ozzie and we want to be sure to catch the train out of Boston.
While Gary and Ozzie golf I get to visit with Sandy. One big question for every antique collector (or just collector) is how we are going to disperse our treasured collections. She has a good one.
We are planning on burgers and dogs at Conomo Point. When Gary and Ozzie get back from golf Gary is bleeding from several wounds on knee and elbow. It seems that golf is never to be played whilst wearing your bifocal lenses. And then cut his shin getting out of Ozzies truck. He is a mess.
We get him temporarily cleaned up for dinner. Heather and Bouy join us. Triston is ready to eat. After dinner we stay inside and talk story until it is time for us to drive back to the residence at the barn.
Monday, July 3, 2017
6/23, Friday - A Tour around Essex bay in the Lund
We sleep late today. Gary sleeps latest. His wound has bled through the bandages and I do laundry first thing.
Ozzie and Triston get the Lund boat in the water but there is trouble with the fuel flow and we don't know if we will get out for a ride or not. But we do, finally.
Triston is captain initially and giving us a tour while driving slowly.
Most of Essex River Basin is protected as a green way. Some of the islands have had newer homes removed and old ones restored back to original style of the 1600's and 1700's. One austere home on Choate Island was featured in the movie "The Crucible" about the Salem Witch Trials. They have built a replica of a threshing barn on the island. The basin grasses were prized as feed for livestock for many years.
Ozzie really loves this place, we can hear it in his voice when he tells us about it. It is in his blood. All of his family boat, they all know about "the water". Ozzie and Sandy's families are from this place and have been for generations.
We arrive at Conomo Point Marina. Sandy and Heather have made a picnic lunch and we pick them up at the dock. Triston decides to skedaddle to the house.
Sandy has to stay covered up because of medicine she is taking. She is wearing a fine woven sun hat that I envy.
We eat lunch on the boat. Heather takes over the captaincy and snaps some very fun photos of Ozzie, Sandy, Gary and Me. She is quite a hand at the helm of that boat. Gary and I are both impressed. Cold sandwiches made with love, beers, and good friends. It is a consummate picnic lunch.
After we dock at Conomo Point I decided to ride back with Sandy and Heather. Gary and Ozzie drive the boat back to Essex Marina. A storm seems to be building.
I opt for a nap and let Gary tour the boating museum by himself. We are supposed to get weather tonight. Everything gets closed up and boating activities are shut down tomorrow.
Sandy bought Gary some bananas today. Never saw a happier clam.
We had barbecue chicken dinner at the house Conomo Point and talked story while Heather took the wedding nail polish off Sandy's fingers with some tin foil doo-dads that were reminiscent of Mt. Shasta. Pretty fun.
I am getting my leg pulled a lot out here. Gary is even doing it now.
Sailing photos credit and compliments to Heather Osborn.
Ozzie and Triston get the Lund boat in the water but there is trouble with the fuel flow and we don't know if we will get out for a ride or not. But we do, finally.
Triston is captain initially and giving us a tour while driving slowly.
Most of Essex River Basin is protected as a green way. Some of the islands have had newer homes removed and old ones restored back to original style of the 1600's and 1700's. One austere home on Choate Island was featured in the movie "The Crucible" about the Salem Witch Trials. They have built a replica of a threshing barn on the island. The basin grasses were prized as feed for livestock for many years.
Ozzie really loves this place, we can hear it in his voice when he tells us about it. It is in his blood. All of his family boat, they all know about "the water". Ozzie and Sandy's families are from this place and have been for generations.
We arrive at Conomo Point Marina. Sandy and Heather have made a picnic lunch and we pick them up at the dock. Triston decides to skedaddle to the house.
Sandy has to stay covered up because of medicine she is taking. She is wearing a fine woven sun hat that I envy.
We eat lunch on the boat. Heather takes over the captaincy and snaps some very fun photos of Ozzie, Sandy, Gary and Me. She is quite a hand at the helm of that boat. Gary and I are both impressed. Cold sandwiches made with love, beers, and good friends. It is a consummate picnic lunch.
After we dock at Conomo Point I decided to ride back with Sandy and Heather. Gary and Ozzie drive the boat back to Essex Marina. A storm seems to be building.
I opt for a nap and let Gary tour the boating museum by himself. We are supposed to get weather tonight. Everything gets closed up and boating activities are shut down tomorrow.
Sandy bought Gary some bananas today. Never saw a happier clam.
We had barbecue chicken dinner at the house Conomo Point and talked story while Heather took the wedding nail polish off Sandy's fingers with some tin foil doo-dads that were reminiscent of Mt. Shasta. Pretty fun.
I am getting my leg pulled a lot out here. Gary is even doing it now.
Sailing photos credit and compliments to Heather Osborn.
Friday, June 16, 2017
6/24, Saturday - On our own to Gloucester
Gary and I decided to drive to Gloucester and look around at Fiesta. This celebration is about the Italian and Portugese sailors and shipmen (builders and maintainers). Town is busy with traffic and every so often the drawbridge is pulled up to let boats in the marina have access to the bay. This causes a big traffic jamb with the extra traffic on the road. We do not know this until a bit later.
We park by the baseball field and get our good walk in. The weather is clear and warm. It is Saturday and people have come from all over to this event.
Despite the flock of people, or because of it, everyone seams to be in a good mood. We are walking on the nice, groomed sidewalk along Gloucester Bay. People playing music, selling ices and cold drinks. Girls dressed in summer finery (some are barely dressed). We watch a kayaker manuver in to a little side inlet on the draw bridge to get back in to the marina. Knowing the tides is key to boating here.
The main portion of Gloucester is all old buildings and narrow streets built around the fishing industry that has gone on here since the 1600's. (Sandy and Ozzie tell us that Birdseye and Gorton's were started here).
There is a competition in this fiesta called the greasy pole. A large pole is dressed with grease and levered out over the water (it's actually out in the water). Men try to run to the end of the pole without slipping and falling in (cracking body parts, soft and hard, on the way to the water). We did not get to see it but heard about it. Lots of people were gearing up to go watch it in boats on the water and grand stands on shore.
We find our way back to Gloucester House restaurant and buy a gift certificate for dinner for our generous hosts and head back toward the car.
We get stopped by a raised draw bridge allowing boats from the Marina in to the bay. Out they go, all joyous with wine in hand, fishing poles rigged for the day. We think they are done when the boats go out and we will be able to get a cross and walk back to our car. No...other boats have to come in.
This is the fun part. Motorized boats of all sizes from 10 foot pontoon boats to 30 foot flying bridge fishing boats start heading in tho this narrow opening.
Going out with the tide is easy. Getting back in, for some, not so so easy. The sailors who have done this all their lives...piece of cake. Those not so experienced were the most entertaining. Losing their engines and getting pushed back by the river current, or pushed in to the sea wall.
A gentleman next to us started giving us a play by play when a large, sleek cigar boat headed in, then lost his engines. He was pushed back in to the wall before he got his engines going again. Might do some damage. The guy says. The boat starts forward again then looses his engines again and is pushed almost back to into the rocks at the end of the wall. The engines start again and the captain muscles the boat forward, smacks in to the wooden pilings before clearing the narrow gap in to the marina. The guy next to us says, by the look of that boat, he can afford the repairs.
The raised drawbridge is what is causing the traffic jamb we experienced earlier but it allowed us a good walk.
I realize this is the East coast in summer. People flock in to Essex and Glouceter to view, shop, boat, fish, eat. Crazy but also cool. Mass accents on every corner.
Gary took me to one more second hand store but no luck finding pulls for Suzie's dresser. We shopped for dinner and tonight I will make a casserole and salad for dinner.
At Conomo point we meet Ed, Sandy and Ozzie's neighbor who gladly shows Gary where his pace maker is. The man is very nice but talking stops when we serve dinner.
Photos: Box of antique door knobs and drawer pulls. Sunset on Essex Harbor.
We park by the baseball field and get our good walk in. The weather is clear and warm. It is Saturday and people have come from all over to this event.
Despite the flock of people, or because of it, everyone seams to be in a good mood. We are walking on the nice, groomed sidewalk along Gloucester Bay. People playing music, selling ices and cold drinks. Girls dressed in summer finery (some are barely dressed). We watch a kayaker manuver in to a little side inlet on the draw bridge to get back in to the marina. Knowing the tides is key to boating here.
The main portion of Gloucester is all old buildings and narrow streets built around the fishing industry that has gone on here since the 1600's. (Sandy and Ozzie tell us that Birdseye and Gorton's were started here).
There is a competition in this fiesta called the greasy pole. A large pole is dressed with grease and levered out over the water (it's actually out in the water). Men try to run to the end of the pole without slipping and falling in (cracking body parts, soft and hard, on the way to the water). We did not get to see it but heard about it. Lots of people were gearing up to go watch it in boats on the water and grand stands on shore.
We find our way back to Gloucester House restaurant and buy a gift certificate for dinner for our generous hosts and head back toward the car.
We get stopped by a raised draw bridge allowing boats from the Marina in to the bay. Out they go, all joyous with wine in hand, fishing poles rigged for the day. We think they are done when the boats go out and we will be able to get a cross and walk back to our car. No...other boats have to come in.
This is the fun part. Motorized boats of all sizes from 10 foot pontoon boats to 30 foot flying bridge fishing boats start heading in tho this narrow opening.
Going out with the tide is easy. Getting back in, for some, not so so easy. The sailors who have done this all their lives...piece of cake. Those not so experienced were the most entertaining. Losing their engines and getting pushed back by the river current, or pushed in to the sea wall.
A gentleman next to us started giving us a play by play when a large, sleek cigar boat headed in, then lost his engines. He was pushed back in to the wall before he got his engines going again. Might do some damage. The guy says. The boat starts forward again then looses his engines again and is pushed almost back to into the rocks at the end of the wall. The engines start again and the captain muscles the boat forward, smacks in to the wooden pilings before clearing the narrow gap in to the marina. The guy next to us says, by the look of that boat, he can afford the repairs.
The raised drawbridge is what is causing the traffic jamb we experienced earlier but it allowed us a good walk.
I realize this is the East coast in summer. People flock in to Essex and Glouceter to view, shop, boat, fish, eat. Crazy but also cool. Mass accents on every corner.
Gary took me to one more second hand store but no luck finding pulls for Suzie's dresser. We shopped for dinner and tonight I will make a casserole and salad for dinner.
At Conomo point we meet Ed, Sandy and Ozzie's neighbor who gladly shows Gary where his pace maker is. The man is very nice but talking stops when we serve dinner.
Photos: Box of antique door knobs and drawer pulls. Sunset on Essex Harbor.
Friday, June 9, 2017
6/25, Sunday - A Kayak Paddle in Essex Bay
We plan to take Gilligan Tour today with ERBA (Essex River Basin Adventures). This is Sandy and Ozzie's business (Sandy's runs this business, Ozzie supplies muscle and kayaking expertise). The tour will be about 3 hours around Essex Bay greenway and Choate Island. (very much history in this little spot).
We have a little time so I make scones for breakfast.
Gary takes me kayak accessory shopping. We come away with UV protective shirts, Croakies (compliments of Sandy), waterproof telephone protectors. I get a pair of river shoes.
The day is beautiful, sunny, hot. We pick our boats and get sized in to the foot pedal steering (rudders on these kayaks). We have 10 kayakers and 4 guides.
We get on the water when I get a call from Edith. Uncle Butch has passed away from complications of pneumonia or renal failure. We are not sure. I am broken, here in a beautiful place, on the east coast in the water. He was (is) such a strong thread in the weaving of my life. Tears spring up. Then I realize he is right with me, in all of this beauty, better than just yesterday because his pain is gone and his spirit is free. So I carry on with this trip we have planned, with Uncle B wholly in my heart.
The guides try to guess where we are all from and they are sure my accent is from New York. I think it so funny that mom's east coast brogue has followed me to California and now back to Essex.
We stop for a break on Choate Island. While the guides walk the group to the top of the hill I make 7 stone prayer on the beach. Because it is so, for Uncle B, for me. Be aware, be free, be focused, be here, be loved, be strong, be healed. In Hawaiian: Ike, kala, makia, manawa, aloha, mana, pono.
Once back in the water, Gary and I find ourselves lagging behind the others. That may be because we are the oldest (He is) or because we are sad.
The weather starts to change and the guides decide to get us in to the landing at Essex Marina. It is decidedly blacker than just a few hours ago. As we near the Essex river outlet, we realize that many big fishing boats are coming in to get out of the potential storm. They're coming in against the outgoing tide creates some hella-deep waves that cross over each other.
It is a tough paddle. The guides tell us to keep our paddles moving to keep our center of gravity stable. Serious waves that look like they will flip you over if you screw up.
Our lead guide Jackie gets us lined up like colorful ducklings and points us to paddle toward a blue portapotty on shore. This if we paddle toward this point against the current will wind up in a good place on the water to put in on Conomo Point beach. I am paddling like mad and the guide closest to me says "It's OK, relax, you have made it to the calm water for an easy put in". That was more than my skill level on a kayak. Oh well, my skill level is a little higher now.
We have a little time so I make scones for breakfast.
Gary takes me kayak accessory shopping. We come away with UV protective shirts, Croakies (compliments of Sandy), waterproof telephone protectors. I get a pair of river shoes.
The day is beautiful, sunny, hot. We pick our boats and get sized in to the foot pedal steering (rudders on these kayaks). We have 10 kayakers and 4 guides.
We get on the water when I get a call from Edith. Uncle Butch has passed away from complications of pneumonia or renal failure. We are not sure. I am broken, here in a beautiful place, on the east coast in the water. He was (is) such a strong thread in the weaving of my life. Tears spring up. Then I realize he is right with me, in all of this beauty, better than just yesterday because his pain is gone and his spirit is free. So I carry on with this trip we have planned, with Uncle B wholly in my heart.
The guides try to guess where we are all from and they are sure my accent is from New York. I think it so funny that mom's east coast brogue has followed me to California and now back to Essex.
We stop for a break on Choate Island. While the guides walk the group to the top of the hill I make 7 stone prayer on the beach. Because it is so, for Uncle B, for me. Be aware, be free, be focused, be here, be loved, be strong, be healed. In Hawaiian: Ike, kala, makia, manawa, aloha, mana, pono.
Once back in the water, Gary and I find ourselves lagging behind the others. That may be because we are the oldest (He is) or because we are sad.
The weather starts to change and the guides decide to get us in to the landing at Essex Marina. It is decidedly blacker than just a few hours ago. As we near the Essex river outlet, we realize that many big fishing boats are coming in to get out of the potential storm. They're coming in against the outgoing tide creates some hella-deep waves that cross over each other.
It is a tough paddle. The guides tell us to keep our paddles moving to keep our center of gravity stable. Serious waves that look like they will flip you over if you screw up.
Our lead guide Jackie gets us lined up like colorful ducklings and points us to paddle toward a blue portapotty on shore. This if we paddle toward this point against the current will wind up in a good place on the water to put in on Conomo Point beach. I am paddling like mad and the guide closest to me says "It's OK, relax, you have made it to the calm water for an easy put in". That was more than my skill level on a kayak. Oh well, my skill level is a little higher now.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
6/26, Monday - Carrie's 40th Birthday
Carrie is a constant joy to me. That is how my day started. Even though we are mourning for Uncle Butch.
Today we abandon the Osborn's to their work and head north. Gary suggests we are so close to Maine and New Hampshire we should drive up to those states.
We drive through little rural coastal towns, farm land, antique stores on the way to New Hampshire. All the while looking at very old buildings and some new buildings.
We stop stop to park in the expen$ive parking find some public facilities.
I have gotten car sick and find a little convenience store that has packets of Dramamine. The young Russian sounding fellows don't know what Dramamine is. I explain and they search and find three different packagings of it.
We take another long walk on this free public beach "The Hampton Beach" and lots of people, all ages shapes size and colors on this beach this sunny Monday.
We stop and talk to real East coast lifeguard Nick, who will chat but he still has to watch the beach. He says they train daily for this job, he is as trim a young man as I have seen on this trip. He says many of the other life guards have their EMT certification, he has not gotten his yet.
While walking back to our car we discover that there has been a sand sculpture competition and these statues are interesting. I have taken many photos of them.
We leave expen$ive parking and drive up to Maine for a brief coast line tour. Million dollar homes on the coastal road way.
Time tells us to head back to Essex. Ozzie has planned a Monday night potluck with steamed clams. He has a group of friends that meet most Wednesday nights. These fellows bring their wives. Heather comes with Bouy, Triston is in and out. We don't do justice to all of the clams Ozzie has steamed but we try until there is almost no room for the additional, delicious pot luck. Sandy is as generous a hostess as I have ever met.
After dinner Ozzie lays a fire and the story telling starts. Oh my goodness, what stories...about sailing to Canada, skiing, barns burning down. Gary's tumble playing full contact golf. Lots of laughs I can tell you.
Today we abandon the Osborn's to their work and head north. Gary suggests we are so close to Maine and New Hampshire we should drive up to those states.
We drive through little rural coastal towns, farm land, antique stores on the way to New Hampshire. All the while looking at very old buildings and some new buildings.
We stop stop to park in the expen$ive parking find some public facilities.
I have gotten car sick and find a little convenience store that has packets of Dramamine. The young Russian sounding fellows don't know what Dramamine is. I explain and they search and find three different packagings of it.
We take another long walk on this free public beach "The Hampton Beach" and lots of people, all ages shapes size and colors on this beach this sunny Monday.
We stop and talk to real East coast lifeguard Nick, who will chat but he still has to watch the beach. He says they train daily for this job, he is as trim a young man as I have seen on this trip. He says many of the other life guards have their EMT certification, he has not gotten his yet.
While walking back to our car we discover that there has been a sand sculpture competition and these statues are interesting. I have taken many photos of them.
We leave expen$ive parking and drive up to Maine for a brief coast line tour. Million dollar homes on the coastal road way.
Time tells us to head back to Essex. Ozzie has planned a Monday night potluck with steamed clams. He has a group of friends that meet most Wednesday nights. These fellows bring their wives. Heather comes with Bouy, Triston is in and out. We don't do justice to all of the clams Ozzie has steamed but we try until there is almost no room for the additional, delicious pot luck. Sandy is as generous a hostess as I have ever met.
After dinner Ozzie lays a fire and the story telling starts. Oh my goodness, what stories...about sailing to Canada, skiing, barns burning down. Gary's tumble playing full contact golf. Lots of laughs I can tell you.
Monday, June 5, 2017
6/27, Tuesday - Crane's Beach and the Castle at Crane's Beach
We are almost done with vacation. The day starts with high overcast and light coats are the mode of dress.
Today Sandy lends us her car and we drive to Crane's Beach and Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA. This acreage is part of the green-way. The property was owned by industrialist Richard Crane (the bathroom company). The refuge was established in 1974 by Mine Crane in memory of her husband Cornelius Crane. Both are buried at the summit of Choate island.
So instead of million dollar houses and private beach it is open to the public with fees. Because Sandy and Ozzie contribute, their car has a sticker and we get in to both the beach and the estate for free.
For more information on Castle Hill google search Castle Hill, Ipswich, Mass.
Because of weather we have the beach pretty much to ourselves. It is a nice, long walk. Gary has been making sure I get my steps in. It is mid-tide so we do not get to see many shells though I do find one tiny sand dollar and a hermit crab that has not survived in a very nice snail shell. We bury the hermit crab at sea and bring that shell home plus the quarter sized sand dollar.
We have missed the castle tour so tour around our selves and let me tell you, it is as nice as the Hearst estate on the McCloud river. It started as an Italian style villa but was torn down and re-created as an English castle. You could spend a whole day viewing the rooms down stairs and walking the manicured grounds.
After our tour, we head back to Essex for an afternoon of antiquing. I realize I am beat. The last store we go in I ask for ukulele. The guy laughs and says his favorite instrument is the bela lika (sp) and he puts on a cd of that music.
Gary promises this is the last store but I can not pry him away from the Bela Lika guy so I go to the car to nap and wait.
While we are waiting to meet Osborn's for dinner it starts to rain in earnest and hail (big hail). We do not tarry outside when we get to the restaurant "The Village" I experience haddock. a light white fish of the east coast. It's pretty tasty.
Lightening and thunder join with the rain in earnest when we get home. Lots of different weather on the East coast.
Today Sandy lends us her car and we drive to Crane's Beach and Castle Hill in Ipswich, MA. This acreage is part of the green-way. The property was owned by industrialist Richard Crane (the bathroom company). The refuge was established in 1974 by Mine Crane in memory of her husband Cornelius Crane. Both are buried at the summit of Choate island.
So instead of million dollar houses and private beach it is open to the public with fees. Because Sandy and Ozzie contribute, their car has a sticker and we get in to both the beach and the estate for free.
For more information on Castle Hill google search Castle Hill, Ipswich, Mass.
Because of weather we have the beach pretty much to ourselves. It is a nice, long walk. Gary has been making sure I get my steps in. It is mid-tide so we do not get to see many shells though I do find one tiny sand dollar and a hermit crab that has not survived in a very nice snail shell. We bury the hermit crab at sea and bring that shell home plus the quarter sized sand dollar.
We have missed the castle tour so tour around our selves and let me tell you, it is as nice as the Hearst estate on the McCloud river. It started as an Italian style villa but was torn down and re-created as an English castle. You could spend a whole day viewing the rooms down stairs and walking the manicured grounds.
After our tour, we head back to Essex for an afternoon of antiquing. I realize I am beat. The last store we go in I ask for ukulele. The guy laughs and says his favorite instrument is the bela lika (sp) and he puts on a cd of that music.
Gary promises this is the last store but I can not pry him away from the Bela Lika guy so I go to the car to nap and wait.
While we are waiting to meet Osborn's for dinner it starts to rain in earnest and hail (big hail). We do not tarry outside when we get to the restaurant "The Village" I experience haddock. a light white fish of the east coast. It's pretty tasty.
Lightening and thunder join with the rain in earnest when we get home. Lots of different weather on the East coast.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
6/28, Wednesday. Last Day in Essex
We are up to Coffee and left overs at the residence at the Barn.
I pull all the sheets and towels for laundry. We get packed. Ozzie comes for coffee as we get organized to leave.
Heather comes for a goodbye visit (with Bouy) before Sandy arrives. Ozzie is going with us to the airport.
We return the rental car. Traffic on the freeway is thick. We stop for lunch at Kelly's Roast Beef and Gary has the $21.99 lobster roll sandwich for lunch. After driving by all the restaurants all week this is where he get's his Mass. Lobster.
Ozzie takes us to Logan Airport via many short cuts. We get Ozzie and Sandy in to and out of the airport congestion as soon as possible. They will have a hectic drive back to Essex.
We are in the airport early and begin reading and waiting.
Our plane boards on time but two instances of fouled bathrooms put us back in dock for extra maintenance and delay our flight for about an hour. We are going to miss our connection to Reno. Once determining that, I call United and make a new reservation for the the following day.
The flight to California is an 8 hour flight (an all nighter). Gary has brought the paddle pads but his butt starts hurting about half way through the flight. I sleep (dramamine is my friend). We both get up and move around about hour 5. They turn the cabin lights of encouraging us to be quiet.
The fellow in the seat in front of me has a nice tablet and is watching House of Cards so I am caught up on that vile show.
We arrive in San Francisco at mid-night and are directed to Customer Service (between Gates 80 and 82) to find accomplished customer service rep Sherry D dealing with about 100 people who have missed their connection to Reno. She takes good care of us with a room voucher at Holiday Inn and meal vouchers for the morning and a cute little pre-pack of goodies like tooth brush and paste. Ours are still in our luggage at the air port.
Our room is nice but there is external noise. I am sure I will not sleep but I sleep hard and am gratetful for it the next day.
I pull all the sheets and towels for laundry. We get packed. Ozzie comes for coffee as we get organized to leave.
Heather comes for a goodbye visit (with Bouy) before Sandy arrives. Ozzie is going with us to the airport.
We return the rental car. Traffic on the freeway is thick. We stop for lunch at Kelly's Roast Beef and Gary has the $21.99 lobster roll sandwich for lunch. After driving by all the restaurants all week this is where he get's his Mass. Lobster.
Ozzie takes us to Logan Airport via many short cuts. We get Ozzie and Sandy in to and out of the airport congestion as soon as possible. They will have a hectic drive back to Essex.
We are in the airport early and begin reading and waiting.
Our plane boards on time but two instances of fouled bathrooms put us back in dock for extra maintenance and delay our flight for about an hour. We are going to miss our connection to Reno. Once determining that, I call United and make a new reservation for the the following day.
The flight to California is an 8 hour flight (an all nighter). Gary has brought the paddle pads but his butt starts hurting about half way through the flight. I sleep (dramamine is my friend). We both get up and move around about hour 5. They turn the cabin lights of encouraging us to be quiet.
The fellow in the seat in front of me has a nice tablet and is watching House of Cards so I am caught up on that vile show.
We arrive in San Francisco at mid-night and are directed to Customer Service (between Gates 80 and 82) to find accomplished customer service rep Sherry D dealing with about 100 people who have missed their connection to Reno. She takes good care of us with a room voucher at Holiday Inn and meal vouchers for the morning and a cute little pre-pack of goodies like tooth brush and paste. Ours are still in our luggage at the air port.
Our room is nice but there is external noise. I am sure I will not sleep but I sleep hard and am gratetful for it the next day.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
6/29, Thursday - Early Morning In San Francisco to Reno
We woke up in San Francisco to fog. We slept well despite the traumatic flight yesterday.
You must layer in San Francisco.
The van to the airport was full and the driver was funny, trying to engage us all and there were many races, ages and amounts of wakefullness on our van.
We arrived early to our Gate to find that our plane was already delayed!
We had breakfast on United Airlines. Good sit down bacon and eggs breakfast. Then let our food settle while we waited, and waited for our plane.
Once in the air our flight to Reno was only 33 minutes long. Reno was HOT!!!
John picked us up at the airport and drove us to Carrie's where we picked up our car.
We went to Mortensen's for a glass of reviving cold water and to change in to our shorts and flip-flops.
A quick dinner in Susanville and then home to Mt. Shasta around sunset.
There is no place like home!!
You must layer in San Francisco.
The van to the airport was full and the driver was funny, trying to engage us all and there were many races, ages and amounts of wakefullness on our van.
We arrived early to our Gate to find that our plane was already delayed!
We had breakfast on United Airlines. Good sit down bacon and eggs breakfast. Then let our food settle while we waited, and waited for our plane.
Once in the air our flight to Reno was only 33 minutes long. Reno was HOT!!!
John picked us up at the airport and drove us to Carrie's where we picked up our car.
We went to Mortensen's for a glass of reviving cold water and to change in to our shorts and flip-flops.
A quick dinner in Susanville and then home to Mt. Shasta around sunset.
There is no place like home!!
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