Chatham Cycling

On Wednesday we headed of with our bikes in Jerry's truck to the bike trail section in the Chatham area. We rode through beautiful Cape Cod cottages some of which might be better referred to as mansions. Our path led us along beaches and harbors. I struggled again with the hills which were not exceptional but I ran out of breath 3/4 of the way up on a couple of them. Later in the day Jerry made some adjustments to my bike which hopefully will improve my shifting into lower gears. After the ride, we drove to Sesuite Harbor with an outdoor cafe along the water where I had the most spectacular lobster roll ever! It has set a high benchmark for the future. The setting was idealic with a breeze blowing the umbrellas over the picnic tables. We then did a driving tour of other areas reinforcing again had beautiful the Cape is with its Ponds, sandy beaches and marshes. We ended the day walking to a nearby beach for Sunset.

Cape Cod

Arrived in Eastham MA on Cape Cod mid afternoon Sunday. Our hosts Jerry and Sue were on our bicycle trip to Puglia Italy in 2011. My biking friend Judy drove from Maryland. On Monday Jerry led their Newcomers group plus Judy and me on a hike along the Cape Cod National Seashore almost 5 miles. My new walking poles really made a difference for me on what sometimes was a rugged terrain and a fast pace. In the afternoon another from the Puglia trip Sheila joined us for over 12 miles of bicycling to the Nauset lighthouse. The hills continue to be a challenge for me.
Today we left before 7a m for a drive to Falmouth to catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard along with 23 other bikers from Sue and Jerry's newcomers group. Our initial 3 miles was in a pouring rain. Most of the day was overcast and windy but we had an enjoyable 23 mile ride on the island often breathing in the wonderful salt air. Our lunch was at a local airport. The four of us took a shortcut back to Oak Bluffs where we walked through the Former Methodist camp with colorful Gingerbread painted ladies houses before we met the group for ice cream and re boarding the ferry. There are wonderful bike paths many along the water. Tomorrow we hope to try some more.

Note: I have wonderful photos but can't seem to post via the Internet from the IPhone. Hopefully I can add them later.

Maine

My two days in Maine reminder me how much I love that state. The vistas of the coves with boats bobbing, the striking changes as the tide comes and goes, the charming architecture and for me especially the warm memories of my previous visits both by land and sea. As always my hosts treated me like royalty. Now I'm continuing my adventure on Cape Cod. Today we'll hike and bike. Last night we heard a fantastic acoustic music concert. A wonderful start

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.