Visiting South Florida and Key West

At the end of Januarywe left Stela with a sitter and headed south to meet Phyllis, and Boyd and Linda in Key West. We stopped first in Everglades City. It is surprisingly Cedar Key-like. Our hotel had an accessible swimming pool. We had dinner at the Rod and Gun Club. It was all new to us! We went to see the historic Smallwood Store in Chocoloskee, highlighted in Killing Mr. Watson by Peter Matthiessen.

We visited the Claude Butcher Gallery and passed the horrific Alligator Alcatraz immigration prison. 

We met Boyd and Linda at the small Island Bay Resort, which they knew from a previous visit, in Tavernier. We spent a couple of relaxing days there before heading to the Truman Hotel in Key West where Phyllis met us. The temperatures turn amazingly and unwelcomingly COLD. Despite it, we had a great visit. It was, however, hard to get reservations at restaurants because the abundant outdoor seating couldn't be used in the weather. 

Nevertheless, we visited all the highlights and particularly enjoyed the Truman Museum and just walking around town. Mallory Square was not a highlight because there were such huge cruise ships docked there that you could not see the water.

On the way back home, we drove too close to Miami and the traffic was horrid. I would never do that again. Then we drove across to the west coast and up to spend a night near Venice where we had dinner with the Annette and Sherman Craig at a waterfront restaurant they recommended. It was delightful.

 

 

Peg's 60th Anniversry Reunion at Nazareth Univesiry (nee College) and Short Visit to Star Lake

 In late September I flew to Rochester, after months of zoom meetings with a small committee to classmates to plan the activities for the 60th anniversary of our graduating from Nazareth. The planning committee was almost as much fun as the event. Mary Fran, Maureen, Cathy, Carol, Ann, and I contacted every classmate we could find to encourage them to attend. We organized a welcome event Friday evening, a luncheon and retrospective of the impact of an endowed scholarship fund a classmate had gotten us to set up at our 10th Reunion, a cruise on the Erie Canal, and lots of time for gathering and sharing. About 50 attended. It was a marvelous success.

I then rented a car and drove to Star Lake for a couple days at The Stone House, our favorite Star Lake rental. It had just been renovated and I did not expect to ever again drive there from Florida. It seemed a perfect chance to see the place and chill for a few days after Reunion. I was correct. It was wonderful, despite being raining and cold. I was the first person to turn on the newly installed electric baseboard heaters. They set off the smoke detectors. That was exciting. LOL. I slept on the sleeping porch and got a chance to drive to Tupper Lake to meet up for an afternoon with Cedar Key friends Boyd and Linda. Bonus -- the leaves were turning already!

 

Celebrating Friends and Visiting Boston

 In July, Russ and I flew to Boston and took an express bus to Dover, New Hampshire where friends Arnold and Ismini picked us up to stay with them for a weekend and celebrate their 60th Anniversary. Their grandson Athan and his partner Riley were there. We had last seen Athan when he was about 4 years old. It was a marvelous weekend with good food and lots of reminiscing with them and their extended family. There is little to beat the enjoyment of being with people who have been friends for 50+ years!

 

 

We returned to Boston, where Pam joined us. Arnold and Ismini came too. We spent a couple of very warm days exploring the city for the first time, including lunch at Cheers!

 

 

Spring Trip to Lexington

Having had such a good time in New York City, we decided to do another together-trip. This time, we headed for the Blue Ridge Mountains near Meg.

Before she and Steve had their house, when we visited we often stayed at the Cabins at Lazy Acres. For this trip, we took over both cabins and the lodge. Phyllis took one cabin. Russ, Stela, and I took the other. Pam and Meg took the lodge along with two of their childhood friends, Beth and Val. 

    

Russ, Stela, and I needed two days to get there. We had a nice road trip. Traffic was heavy, of course, but no bad backups happened and we spent the night in Pembroke NC. It is a University town with about 5 BBQ restaurants. We ate outside at Papa Bill's. Watch the video on the website for a laugh or two. It is drive-up, walk-up, and carry-out only. There were 6 drive-up windows and cars lined up at all of them. 

The picnic tables called to us and were a nice break from being in the car.  There was a screened-in room where walk-ups, like us could get into air conditioning. We preferred the outdoor table, where Stela could be with us. Southern BBQ should always be like that!

Once in Lexington, we gathered mostly in the kitchen of the lodge. It is beautiful, as are all of the rooms. Stela was allowed on the porch, gated so she had the run of it without possibility of running too far away. 

 

We all brought food and wine. Abundance was an understatement. We laughed and cried and ate and ate and ate. 

 

 

The next day, we visited Lexington and Meg's shop, Cheese To You. Phyllis, Pam, Val, and I went to Virginia Safari. Russ, Meg, Beth, and Stela enjoyed the afternoon at the lodge. 

 

 

Our final evening was filled with more food and laughter, many photos, and a soul-calming sunset. A leisurely brunch and short visit with our host Amanda, we were each back to our realities . . . buoyed by being together for a time!