After the show we went to grab drinks and then get in line to have the photos signed. I also wanted to say hi to Charlie since he was a fellow Bloomington North grad. Since Nora ended up not being able to make it to the show I was getting a photo signed for her. Amy was in front of me so she got to Charlie first, so he knew I was coming. When I reached him he leaned over and gave me a big hug. He joked with me about how they weren't coming to SLC again this year. Randy was sitting next to him and asked if I knew why. Charlie said he told me, but I never got that message. So Randy explained that they had been scheduled to appear in Utah once and were pulled because of their name. I've heard about other singers being asked to censor their lyrics or not come at all because of them. I wasn't surprised to hear that Straight No Chaser might not appeal name wise out here. I told them they should see if they could perform at the UofU or up in Park City which is very liberal about things. Hopefully one of these days it will work out, but I never turn down an opportunity to travel. After we made it through the line we hung out to talk to Charlie some more. After they do the autograph line they do photos. Since we were waiting anyway we decided to get one with the group. Charlie moved down to the front when we came over so we had the two North graduates standing together. Afterward we got to talk to him for awhile and meet his wife. They got a kick out of the Ski Team onesie I brought for their son. Since Charlie was giving snowboarding a shot I'll have to get one of those in the future for him.
SNC, Gwen, Amy, Me
Amy wanted to give the slots a shot since we were there. So after we talked to Charlie we went to get another drink and follow her around. Gwen and I weren't interested so we watched, drank and talked. I forgot a very important thing while drinking, I wasn't in Utah. This was drink #3 for the evening and the one with the most amount of alcohol in it. (Pretty sure it was 3/4 bourbon and 1/4 coke.) I was doing okay until the end and then it really hit me. When we went to our room for the night I was having issues with it spinning. Next time I go somewhere I have to remember they pour them stronger than we do at home. Live and learn was definitely the motto for this trip.
Tuesday we got up and went to the boardwalk before Amy had to get her train home. You can't go to Atlantic City without experiencing the boardwalk, right? We also got our feet wet in the ocean but it was freezing! After Amy left we walked around a bit and then headed further up the Jersey Shore. We stopped at another beach in the afternoon and walked the boardwalk there. It actually had a lot more going on than Atlantic City did. We had some lunch and people watched. Wow, was that an experience. There were a few people that fit the stereotype of what you expect to see on the Jersey Shore and I don't even watch the reality show. From there we headed to Jersey City where Gwen lives. We met up with her boyfriend Mark and went to a fabulous sushi restaurant for dinner. The car was parked in a great spot for a view of NYC across the river. It was beautiful, especially when we walked back and the lights were all coming on.
Wednesday we started our morning with Gwen getting a run in while I did some more of my rehab. Then we decided to go see Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty before we drove to the Catskills. I had gone to the Statue of Liberty as a kid but not Ellis Island. We started with Ellis. We walked around checking out some of the exhibits until the Ranger led tour started. The stories he told were interesting so I'm glad we did it. I always love hearing the stories behind the history. It makes things more real. After that we caught the boat over to see Lady Liberty. Since I had climbed to the top as a kid and this was a last minute trip, we just went over and walked around. That didn't take long and then we were in line to get the boat back and head up to the cabin.
I forgot how beautiful it is up in the Catskills. The cabin is near Hamden, NY. It is surrounded by lots of green trees and rolling hills (mountains). I just loved it. We got up there around dinner time and sat out on the deck with our drinks and chips watching the sunset. They have a pond down the hill from the place and a garden. It was just so peaceful. This would be the relaxing portion of the trip.
Thursday we had a reservation to go canoeing at Skinner's Falls on the Delaware River, but no set time frame for getting there. We took our time moving in the morning and getting there. Before we left I was in touch with one of our former counselors who lived near by. She decided she would meet us there since her previous plans fell through. That way she could take some photos as we went through the falls. When Gwen and I were campers at Hidden Valley Camp in Equinunk, PA we used to sign up for the canoe groups. The closest we had come to Skinner's though was sitting on the side watching others go through it. The older girls had done this section and it was a challenge we had hoped to do. So we decided we were going. I signed us up for a 10 mile canoe trip which started just up the river from the falls. (Next time I'd put it more in the middle. Live and learn.) Fritz was there when we got to the falls and took some great photos. After all the years and the scary stories it wasn't so bad. We laughed our way through it and didn't hit any obstacles. Later when Fritz put one of the photos on the HVC Facebook page someone commented and asked if they still had a sign telling you how many people had died in Skinner's Falls. I'm glad we didn't see that. It really didn't seem that bad to us. We decided the year we sat on the side must have been one of those bad years for our counselor, maybe the one with the broken fingers. We figure she had a good reason for not taking a group of kids through there. After we made it through the falls we pulled over to the side to say hi to Fritz. We made plans to meet her later to visit camp and then headed on our way to finish the 9.5 miles we had left to our trip. They calculated 5 hours for the 10 miles. We calculated we wouldn't be that slow.
Me & Gwen going through Skinner's Falls
It was a beautiful day for our trip. The first part of the trip wasn't too crowded. We saw some other boats but not a lot. We saw some deer at one point. And when we stopped for lunch we got to watch a bird of prey swoop down for its lunch. I couldn't identify what kind of bird but it was a big one. We made a stop at the halfway point to use bathrooms and get drinks. They thought we were finishing but we just needed a quick break before the last 5 miles. I didn't pay much attention at the time, but there were some big buses at the landing when we stopped. A short while later it would all make sense. After the landing we were coming up to a bridge. There were some young guys jumping off the support beams underneath into the river. We decided they were nuts. After the bridge we came upon the reason for all the buses. It was a Jewish boys camp. I'm pretty sure we spent the next four miles trying to pass all those rafts. I have to admit, they were entertaining. Extremely loud, but fun to watch. I'm really glad we passed them when we did. It gave us enough of a distance that we got to see a bear. Gwen didn't believe me. She thought it was a dog. It came running out of the woods, jumped into the river and then jumped out and shook off. It stopped long enough to look at us, but we were a fair distance so nothing to worry about. Then it took off into the woods. I kept saying, that was a bear. When we reached the spot where we had seen it there were no signs of civilization anywhere nearby. Gwen still wasn't completely convinced. As we were finishing our trip we passed two women in rafts with their beers. We decided that next trip that might be the way to do it.
After we got back to Skinner's and were cleaned up we received an invite from Fritz to come to her house for dinner. Unfortunately, we missed the turn. We ended up in Hancock, NY so we were too far past. Fritz told us to head to camp and she would pack it up and bring it for a picnic. We were told to check in with the ranger since it is no longer a girl scout camp. Before we left Hancock we went in to check our directions. I asked about Candyland which was a place we always visited when mom had a day off and we went into town. Sadly, it burned down a few years ago. The end of a childhood haunt, at least I have some great memories. When we got to camp we went to ask permission to have our picnic. The ranger asked if we planned to steal the signs. Apparently the previous group stole some of the unit name signs. We promised we would only take photos with our camera. In the end we really only spent time around the dining hall and then down by the lake. While we were waiting for Fritz we took some photos. They had a fence by the dining hall that said HV. We decided it was missing the C. So we took turns standing there creating the C. The dinner that Fritz made was delicious! It was so nice to sit there on the hill looking out over the lake again. I really miss camp days. After dinner we drove down to the waterfront area. The ranger had made a comment about not caring if we jumped in the lake. So Fritz took him up on it and jumped in. Gwen and I opted out since we had already cleaned up once.
Me, Fritz, Gwen
After a few more photos we headed down the hill. On the way we stopped for photos of the water fall we used to play in and looked for the Gnome's house on the hillside. Then it was back to the cabin. On the way a bear ran out in front of us. It crossed the road and ran up a tree. When we stopped it peaked around at us. It was adorable, although we did keep looking around to see if mama bear was following. After that Gwen believed that the first one we saw was a bear.
Our 2nd bear sighting
My last night at the cabin was a hot one. So we sat up the hill from the cabin with Mark, enjoying drinks and the stars until it was late enough to cool down. It was a gorgeous night. I can't wait to go back to the Catskills. Gwen and I are discussing the possibility of a backpack trip next time. She will just need to be patient with me.
Friday was a travel day. I opted to take the bus from the Catskills to Long Island to visit Nora and her family. I didn't want anyone to have to drag kids on that long a car ride just to get me. It was a long trip but really pretty along the way. We went through Woodstock which was fun. I hadn't been there since a hiking trip as a CIT. I eventually reached my drop off point a bit late. When Nora pulled up to get me she had one sleeping four year old in the back seat. He fell asleep mid sentence on the way over. So the first of her children I actually met was Caleb who is 8 days older than my niece Trinity and a total doll. Caleb and I are in love with each other, even though I keep telling him about my beautiful niece. (When I tried to tell Trinity she hung up on me. Only 18 months and already a heart breaker.) We eventually got Brady moving enough to put him back in the car so we could go to dinner. I sat in the back seat with the boys. Caleb had received his new toy car and t-shirt before we left so we were fast friends. Brady didn't know yet what he was getting. We had a great dinner of New York pizza and the best stuffed clams. Afterward we stopped by Nora's parents' house so I could say hi. When we got home Brady got his t-shirt and book. Needless to say he was expecting better. Eventually he warmed up to them. The next day the boys had their shirts on.
Caleb and Brady
Saturday Nora and I got up early to beat the heat and headed to the beach with the boys. One thing I was trying somewhat successfully to do was hit some National Parks, seashores, historic sites, etc. on this trip. Fire Island is very near their house so we headed there so I could mark the Fire Island National Seashore off my list. We took the walk over to the Lighthouse and looked around. We only had the single stroller with us so when Brady got tired he tried to sit on the piece in front of Caleb. My guess is that Caleb is going to be a football player or soccer player. He wound up all his strength and would give Brady one good kick and send him flying off the stroller. Pretty impressive when you consider that Brady is 4 and Caleb is 18 months. After checking out the light house we put on the sunscreen and headed to the beach. The boys are allowed in the water if they are holding hands with an adult. Brady became my friend when he realized that I counted. It was cold but eventually you got used to it. I was fine with just standing in it, no need to wade in further.After taking the boys home for nap time we cleaned up and headed to Sagamore Hill, home of Theodore Roosevelt. My park pass came in handy on this stop. It turns out the house tour is free with the pass. We got there just in time to catch up to one of the tours. Obviously, the house is not air conditioned so we could only see the first two floors due to the heat. The first two floors were amazing and there was a lot to take in. I'd love to have a list of all the books he has in that house. They were everywhere, floor to ceiling. There are some awesome artifacts from his trips to Africa and elsewhere. Plus all the things he accumulated as President. I definitely recommend it if you are in the area. On the way home we made a quick stop for groceries so that we could grill out. I have to say, Brett's grilled hamburgers might be the best I've had!
Sunday was our big trip into the city. Brady was really excited. We drove in and parked near the High Line so that we could go explore. If you haven't been there while in NYC it is fabulous. They took this old railway line that is above ground and instead of tearing it down they made it into a walkway with gardens, benches and viewing areas the length of it. There is still another section finish, but it is already long. When it is finished it will be 1.5 miles. We took our time checking everything out and letting the boys play. About half way along the path we went down to check out the Chelsea Market. I had made plans to meet one of my grad school buddies there for gelato. Nora and the boys decided that sounded like lunch to them. Brett and I decided we needed some chowder before we could go gelato. JulieAnn met us there and we were able to catch up for awhile. She went back up to the High Line with me to walk around a bit. Nora and Brett had taken the boys to explore more so when JulieAnn left I met them up there to finish the path and head back. On the way back to Bayshore I was sitting between the boys. Caleb fell asleep immediately but Brady was too excited. My favorite moment was when he said, "Excuse me, I have something to tell you. I can't believe we went to New York City! And I love you." How cute is that?
For my last night in New York we picked up dinner at Boston Market and took it back to the house. I sat next to Caleb who kept reaching out and putting his hand on my arm. Then he would just gaze at me. How come I can't get boys my age to do that? The kid is going to be a heart breaker someday. After dinner Nora and I took the boys over to her parents' house so I could visit before my trip ended. I hung out on the back porch with her mom and her brother Patrick while she spent a lot of time in the house with the kids and her dad. At one point Patrick and I both discovered that neither of us particularly want kids, we like spoiling the kids our siblings have. When one of them was having a tantrum I asked Patrick if he was sure he didn't want kids. He was quick to say he still didn't want them. I agreed. It is a lot of fun to visit, spoil them and then give them back. It was great to visit with the Cherry family.
Monday morning it was time to head home. Before I left we took some photos on the porch. The only person I don't have in any of the shots is Brett. But the boys were willing to get in them with us. Nora and the boys took me to the airport to catch my flight back to Utah. Not before I picked up some Skinny Girl Margarita and some Dunkin Donuts to take with me. I think I hit all the cravings I might have had for any east coast foods. It was a fabulous trip and I think I saw just about everyone I planned to see. There are always a few that I cannot fit in. That just means that I'll have to plan another trip in the near future or everyone needs to come visit me in Utah.
Time to enjoy Utah until the next trip.
Nora, Caleb, Me, Brady
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