The road trip is over, and thanks to all who hosted us and met up with us in Grandma's week-long tour through upstate New York, western Mass, and eastern Connecticut.
We packed a lot in, returning to familiar sites and places connected with family and extended family. Our connections seemed to have one constant: FOOD!! But it was wonderful to see everyone.
Our send-off was dinner with Peter and Janet the night before we packed up the car and took off. Our first stop was Old Chester Road, a last-minute diversion from the already boring interstates. There were plenty of apples on the ground Andrew. And after 40 years, it's nice to see many things untouched - including an old stables and the back-door walkway/entrance. Having just put on a new roof, I zoned in on this house's roof and think I saw the same roof which was new back in the 1960s. Looks like it is time they invest in a new roof, but I will not volunteer to clean up the removed shingles.
On our way to David and Paula's, we stopped in the Poconos for lunch a Friendly's in Tannersville and one of had a milkshake!
We arrived in Fairport in time for DINNER and Matthew joined us. Saturday we went on partially successful shopping missions (Grandma couldn't find the red blazer but David got a new toilet seat!) In between Yankees/Red Sox games we played pinochle where Paula and Grandma took advantage of the fact that I was a novice. Sunday was a major birthday party dinner for Paula and Tina, and we were joined by Matthew, Tina, Oliver, Tina's parents, and Paula's brother-in-law. Niiiice. Happy Birthdays (and to Johanna)
We headed east on Monday and got to Pittsfield just in time to see the house, settle Grandma in at Jiminy Peak ski resort and head to dinner with John and Marilyn. They had just returned from a trip to India and confirmed that the poverty, the number of people and the Taj Mahal were the most remarkable features of that country. The next day was a quiet one and we mostly checked out our house and Jiminy Peak, as a place where we might want to congregate next summer.
On Wednesday, we returned to Pomfret. A beautiful day for that spectacular drive down route 169 from Sturbridge. The colors were just coming out and you all will remember what that was like. We drove around the town, the school and went up the driveway a couple of times to "inspect". Things looks the same, but with some major changes -the garage out back is a now a stables; they are putting a fence in for a horse right now. The bench and the sign on the porch the same, but gone are a few of the fruit trees, including the pear trees on the front walkway. David, I think it's time for some pruning and clean-up out back and the shutters clearly miss their annual painting friend.
We had lunch at the Harvest with Gloria Glenn, Joy Nelson and Margi Huoppi, who bought the house from Grandma. We talked of house renovations, of Pomfret people but not of politics.
We did talk politics in Mystic and Stonington where we spent the night and had dinner with Dan Boyle at Skippers Dock right on the water. A beautiful sunset which forewarned the terrible weather we were about to get.
Blinding rain was in store for us as we headed to Greenwich for lunch with Aunt Georgia and Rell at the country club. Georgia had just finished putting in a bedroom on the first floor and was getting ready to de-camp for Florida for the winter.
The final leg to Hightstown and then onward to Bethesda came under the threat of weather and tornados, and then some actual rain and wind. But we both made it home safe and sound.
Grandma seemed tired by the end of the week. She has a hard time seeing and gets out of breath easily but is alert and remembers camping trips and children's and grandchildren's exploits proudly.
We are now planning our next road trip. Chicago? Washington? Alaska?
Love to all.
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