Northeast tour

Starting off early Sunday, the first day was interstate driving first in fog and later in rain to Erie PA. Traffic was light. Labor Day only a half day to arrive at niece Sarah's house. We had a bicycle ride along the rain swollen river to a large park on lake Cayaoga where we picnicked and watched 2 yr old Enzo play. The merry go round was operating so we all took a ride for only 75 cents compared to 5 dollars at Navy Pier! Tuesday I headed over to Kendal Ithaca where I had breakfast with residents and exchanged information and ideas on our CCRCs. My trip to Hanover NH involved meandering around curves, up and down hills which at times I sensed I was going the wrong way or in circles. Despite or because of 1 GPS systems I arrived at Kendal Hanover to check into their farm house guest quarters and meet up with my host. Edie moved in when it first opened in 1991 as I did at the Admiral a year ago. She invited 2 couples over for drinks before going to dinner in the dining room. It was another great exchange of ideas and information. The next morning after breakfast with Ginny, a 3 year resident, I headed toward Gorham this time after studying the map and deciding to use interstates. The scenery is spectacular no matter what road you are on in the Green or White Mountains. After checking into motel I hoped into sister Karen and her husband Brads car and began our tour of the US Forest service lands where they spend summers as work campers.

Catching Up

Time management continues to be a problem for me. Days are filled and little time is remaining to keep up the blog. Not keeping it active is a disappointment. It does reflect how my life has changed. While previously it seemed I moved from trip to trip, now I am more grounded though not unwillingly. Nevertheless there have been times on the road and many blog entries written in my head. Now I’ll try to put some of them and accompanying photos out for anyone who is still interested. This is in preparation for my first major trip of the year, a drive to the east coast and back in September. March found me in southeastern California near the Arizona border where I visited cousin Kevin and wife Norma and their daughter Jane who came to their Indio home from the San Francisco area. Together we drove east to Sen Wash, a bureau of Land Management camping area, the winter home of sister Karen and her husband Brad. It was a fun time with lots of hiking and catching up. We were joined by cousin Paula from Tucson and her nephew from D.C. April I flew to Florida and rented a car for the return trip to ferry my remaining possessions from friend Ginny’s condo. Of course I couldn’t drive directly, so I wandered my way north via visits in Mississippi and Tennessee, staying mostly at Bed and Breakfasts and doing some family history research along the way. July 4th weekend was very special with a visit to our Nation’s Capitol for a wedding of Emily’s friend Virginia. Brett was unable to go, so I went along as Nanny. Despite the 100 degree temperatures we kept very busy. College friend Cathy arranged for us to join her incredible tour of the National Archives. After having lunch with her, we headed to the annual Folk Arts festival. Baby Penelope though was asleep and thus missed a merry go round ride. On the 4th we were out late with a magnificent fireworks display from the Capitol which we saw from a hill near the Iwo Jima Monument. While Emily attended the wedding on Friday, Penelope and I had a fun visit with cousin Jim and wife Jane whose two grandchildren have prepared them for young visitors. Saturday we let Emily sleep in while we took the Metro to the National Zoo with a special guide, biking friend Judy, a former “small mammal interpreter at the zoo. A family gathering found us in Door County Wisconsin at inlaws, Bob and Sara’s housekeeping cottages, Solveigs Orchard in Sister Bay. Perfect weather for a first extended family vacation. Beach time and bicycles, together with great food and conversation as family members came and went during the week. It was wonderful to be with my two granddaughters as well as other family members in a relaxed setting.

Holidays

Time has flown as always and January is a time to catch up as I hunker down inside while outside winter has arrived in Chicago with some subzero temps and light snow. It is my first northern winter in 16 years and I certainly didn't miss these challenges. Fortunately there is no need to go out. In my new home, there’s food, fellowship, and exercise opportunities near. I've threatened to stay inside until spring. I did get a short reprieve from coats and socks as I accompanied my friend Ginny on her annual move to Florida for 4 months. It was strange to not go to my own place, but hearing about condo life, I didn’t regret my decision to sell. I was able to visit with friends, but had to miss many so hope to return in April. On my return, I had my first overnight visit with 13 month old Penelope while her parents celebrated dad, Brett’s, birthday by seeing Book of Mormon followed by a hotel for the night. It was their first time apart since her birth so there was lots of texting back and forth. Penelope adapted well to living here (or so it seemed to me). She makes herself at home and knows where the toys are stored and how to get off and on the elevator. She walked the corridors and met and charmed many residents. She kept up with her 3 cousins at Christmas, a kid oriented holiday with 4 under age 2 toddling around. Sister Margaret’s house was filled with 4 of her 5 kids, their spouses, and friends as well as with sister Gayle’s family of 6 from Madison, plus brother Jim and wife DeAnn and nephews Evan and Alva with his wife Andrea. Rock City had snow and ice unlike Chicago and some did venture out in it. I convinced Emily to host Thanksgiving in her new house and I would cook the turkey at my place. Most of our family in the area, in addition to Brett’s parents were able to come. My Florida dining room furniture worked well in the new location. I tried a new turkey recipe by Ida Garten that was amazing and delicious. Sister Gayle and her family spent the night and Friday we took part in the Chicago tradition of heading for State Street, that Great Street, to see the store windows in the former Marshall Field Store, as well at the decorations and huge tree in the store. Granddaughter Katherine stayed with me for the weekend and we kept busy with activities. On Sunday we celebrated Penelope’s first birthday with friends and families. Emily’s new “old” house was a “happening” place.

It was wonderful to attend many music presentations both here at the Admiral as well as other venues. I baked cookies for a caroling party as well as my traditional pumpkin bread for gifts. All in all it was one of the most enjoyable holiday seasons I’ve experienced in a while and again confirmed my decision to return to Chicago.

California Days

After a week’s return from the East coast, I flew to the West coast! The purpose of the trip was to assist daughter Emily on her first business trip with 10 month old Penelope. The four hour flights to and from went surprisingly well though she slept only about an hour. She adapted well to all the events of the trip with the slight exception of the rental car child’s seat! We were first in the “Silicon Valley” surrounded by Tech firms. Emily’s visits included Motorola, Apple, and Google. We stayed in the town of Sunnyside which had a delightful downtown area filled with a variety of shops and restaurants. Dining “al fresco” was a real treat coming from the cold Chicago area. We toured the impressive Stanford University Campus and Penelope and I enjoyed the large park near the hotel with the mountains in the background and a noontime soccer game by area workers. Friday night we were in Davis, west of San Francisco, home of UC Davis and my niece Anna and nephew Evan who have found it a great place to live. Anna’s walking tour of the campus and town were a testament to this. She served us a wonderful dinner outside in the backyard of her rental house. With good wine and conversation, the evening ended all too soon. The next morning we sampled the large Davis farmer’s market where I purchased some locally grown almonds before the drive back to the San Jose airport for the flight back to Chicago. (Note: The rental car center elevators have the same voice as the one here at The Admiral.) It was a real treat to spend time with my granddaughter and daughter away from our everyday lives. I hope we’ll have the opportunity again.

Finishes and Starts

My good intentions to complete my recent trip to the east coast somehow were lost in catching up with life back in Chicago. Now I am preparing to leave on another trip which came up rather suddenly. I'll be accompanying my daughter and granddaughter to California, caring for Penelope while Emily attends meetings in the Palo Alto area. Driving back to Illinois from the east, I enjoyed the beautiful reds and yellows particularly in Pennsylvania. It's the first fall colors I've seen in recent years. Coming into Chicago via the Skyway, Dan Ryan, and Lakeshore Drive was easy compared to my Sunday drive through Washington DC. I learned my lesson to look at a map instead of trusting the GPS entirely. It really wasn't a problem as I was able to reacquaint myself with the city I visited so often with Les in the 90's. The trip provided me with three of my favorite activities, dulcimer playing, bicycling, and sailing. The sailing aboard friends Don and Elizabeth's 38' foot sloop ADRIATICA was very special.(Elizabeth at the wheel pictured) The Chesapeake is a wonderful body of water to sail with great anchorages, one of which, Still Pond, where we overnight-ed. The second night we went into a dock at Woonton Marina and had a delicious dinner at the Harbor View restaurant with their friends Fred and Joyce. Both nights featured a rousing domino game, always great fun. Afterwards I was able to have wonderful visits with former neighbor Kathy, cousin Jim and his wife Jane and college classmate Cathy and her husband Bob. I am so fortunate to have these wonderful friends who welcome me into their homes (and boats) as my wanderings take me to their locations.