Well, we’re into the social portion of our trip now, with visits to Charlottesville, VA ,Gettysburg, PA, Syracuse NY, and West Virginia. Alice tells me this is what people do on vacation when they’re not photographers. Strange.
We spent Alice’s birthday in Charlottesville. We actually got a motel room and it felt luxurious and spacious (our house will feel like a mansion I am sure) Alice enjoyed taking her first bubble bath in five month . . . I guess it’s a chick thing. Greg and Carolyn Tensmeyer, friends from Coeur d’Alene who were visiting their son in DC, met us there. She is a retired teacher and he retired Forest Service. Greg and I went hiking in Shenandoah NP, and then managed to fit in a wine tasting, art museum and brew pub before the day was out. Good thing the light was bad… After Greg and Carolyn left we toured Monticello and on Saturday went to a lacrosse game at UVA, a first for Alice.
From there it was a days drive up to Gettysburg to visit Dave and Barb Booz. I played lacrosse with Dave at WVU and he was best man at our wedding. Dave treated us to a tour of the battlefield complete with his insights (he’s a Civil War history professor). It was fun just to hang out and catch up. We went to a high school lacrosse game as their son coaches a high school team. We left the camper there and headed up to Syracuse to visit Laddie and Jane. Laddie is a high school friend and lacrosse player. Laddie was an assistant coach for The University of Syracuse. He and I drove to the to the University and I got to meet Roy Simons, the retired coach of the Orangemen who won six national titles. That was a treat. While we were doing that Alice and Jane hit a bucket of balls. We walked around Skaneateles, a quaint New York village. Jane and Alice were more into the quaint!! Of course I suggested we go out for pizza . . . I am from NY after all! Thanks Laddie and Jane!!!
We drove back to Gettysburg and spend the night. Pizza again . . . thanks Dave and Barb!!!!!! Had a chance to catch up on our movies . . . Avatar! On Mother’s Day we drove to WV. Pulling the trailer brings new meaning to WV being the “Mountain State”. Abby gave a big waggy greeting to her long-lost parents but we’re pretty sure she prefers Grandpa Harry and Grandma Nell! I will be flying to St. John’s, Newfoundland on the 18th of May, returning on the 28th. While I am gone Alice plans to ride her bike to all the places she did as a kid and go on some road trips with her mom. After regrouping from my trip, we will start for home.
APBENGEY BLOG 