As we walked/bused from West to East Manhatten, I couldn't help to notice the lack of eye contact and heads perplexingly glued to Blackberrys, iPods, iPads and everything i-known to life. With a city filled with millions, why did it feel so alonesome? Sure, there was physical appearance but it's almost as if they were somewhere else. Perhaps the scenary wasn't exciting anymore. Perhaps people were tired of being bombarded by vendors and others trying to seduce them into buying something. Perhaps it was too energy consuming to make eye contact at another and offer a smile. I don't know.
As we crossed onto the West side, Sarah met us with a couple of brewskies, eye-contact and a smile. As Sarah and Kate talked of old and new times, I stepped outside to sights and sounds of the city from Sarah's balcony--17 floors up. What a view. People running/walking everywhere. With so much to do, why would one ever stop and take a look? Well, here I was simply doing that, looking around. Overwhelmed from the quantity more so than quality of people, I was overwhelmed and overstimulated. I needed this little break to recharge. As I stepped back into the apartment, I met Chris, Sarah's husband. As Canelle entered, it was a party--that included beer, wine and pizza.
As the conversation started and never stopped, I sat back and enjoyed the sight of friends and family being so personal in an impersonal city. Maybe there was hope for the city. Maybe people still looked other people in the eye instead of through satellites and into small screens of iPods and Blackberrys. Maybe people still offered their energy for a smile and a laughter or two. Maybe people could feel safe from conversations that lead to favors or attachments or bribes. Just maybe...
As Kate and I said our good byes and crossed the city line into New Jersey, we could feel the end coming. The end of a long but short, a tiresome but energy-some, a sad but happy trip coming to an end. And as we think on the trip and the effects on us as people, individuals and a couple, our blog within the next coming days will try to put into words our experience of a lifetime, one for the books and something extraordinary.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Introduction to East-side Manhatten and the Card's!
With the temperature being 100, the air smelling of garbage and dozens upon dozens of cars stuck in front and behind us, NYC welcomed us with a big ole hug. That's no way to welcome folks that have been stuck in a car for the past 8 hours, but yes, we love you too.
Skip, Jean Margaret and timid Julia Card welcomed us with open arms (without the heat, smell and traffic, that is). They took us out to eat for burgers and then later for yogurt! We thoroughly enjoyed this meal after a long drive that included seeds, nuts and probably something else birds eat as our diet. As I talked with Skip, he informed me that the publishers of his first NYC hiking book wanted a 2nd edition. So, I asked him if we could join him on a walk/hike, and so the next day we jumped on the subway towards Central Park.
As we walked through the park, beginning at the South to finish at the North, Kate and I read through Skip's book of directions as well as history about local statues and areas of the park. What a walk! Thanks Skip. As we entered Skip and Jean Margaret's lovely 2 bedroom apartment in NYC, we cooled off and played with female Jesus and others dolls with little Julia. We had a blast! I was a little tired but for some reason a little girl full of energy won't let you be tired for long. So, Kate and I joined with the fun. Before we knew it, the time had come to say our good-byes and head off to the East side of Manhatten where Sarah and Chris lived (friends of Kate.)
Skip, Jean Margaret and timid Julia Card welcomed us with open arms (without the heat, smell and traffic, that is). They took us out to eat for burgers and then later for yogurt! We thoroughly enjoyed this meal after a long drive that included seeds, nuts and probably something else birds eat as our diet. As I talked with Skip, he informed me that the publishers of his first NYC hiking book wanted a 2nd edition. So, I asked him if we could join him on a walk/hike, and so the next day we jumped on the subway towards Central Park.
As we walked through the park, beginning at the South to finish at the North, Kate and I read through Skip's book of directions as well as history about local statues and areas of the park. What a walk! Thanks Skip. As we entered Skip and Jean Margaret's lovely 2 bedroom apartment in NYC, we cooled off and played with female Jesus and others dolls with little Julia. We had a blast! I was a little tired but for some reason a little girl full of energy won't let you be tired for long. So, Kate and I joined with the fun. Before we knew it, the time had come to say our good-byes and head off to the East side of Manhatten where Sarah and Chris lived (friends of Kate.)
Tickets. Flags. Lobstah. Etc.
As we arrived in Thomaston, ME, Kate's mom immediately signed us up for selling raffle tickets and flags for the 4th of July parade. Before that, Kate and I ran a 5 K race (yes, 5 thousand miles) that surprisingly only took up a small neighborhood. Afterwards, people asked us if we won the race, let's just say we were 1st place in the 110th place slot. Now to the tickets and flags!
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In hindsight, the selling was a terrific idea. Kate and I were homeless people for about an hour trying to earn a living through tickets and flags. We smiled and made small talk and finally seduced people into buying a "Made in China" flag for the American 4th of July. Hmmm... But as we ventured up and down the streets, we met many veterans and had the privelege to thank them for their service. If you haven't done that recently, do it. It's a powerful experience.
After selling our souls to Chinese merchandise, Kate and I enjoyed the parade of fire trucks, roller bladers, her Dad looking stylish in his BMW with his Queen on top and everything inbetween.
Bear with me. I have no idea when these events took place, but I do know that they did in fact take place. The next night (?) we had a dinner with the Hansens. I particularly enjoyed Dennis Hansen elaborating the science and art of brewing to me. The four main ingredients that encompass a beer you ask? Yeast. Hops. Barley. Water. That's enough for now, but if you have more questions I can do my best to answer. We thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and the delicious kebobs Kate made. I do have to say though, Kate's Dad (and Mom) "upped" us on the last dinner before we returned to Virginia--Lobstah's (as Kate would spell.) What a treat, thanks for everything!
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After the dinner with the Hansens, Kate and I went for a terrific bike ride the next day--Rockport and Camden. We got lost and turned around a few times, but that's what makes it a journey! Hey, Kate and I are still together and we still love each other. That's all you need to know. COWS! OREOS! WAIT?
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After selling our souls to Chinese merchandise, Kate and I enjoyed the parade of fire trucks, roller bladers, her Dad looking stylish in his BMW with his Queen on top and everything inbetween.
Bear with me. I have no idea when these events took place, but I do know that they did in fact take place. The next night (?) we had a dinner with the Hansens. I particularly enjoyed Dennis Hansen elaborating the science and art of brewing to me. The four main ingredients that encompass a beer you ask? Yeast. Hops. Barley. Water. That's enough for now, but if you have more questions I can do my best to answer. We thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and the delicious kebobs Kate made. I do have to say though, Kate's Dad (and Mom) "upped" us on the last dinner before we returned to Virginia--Lobstah's (as Kate would spell.) What a treat, thanks for everything!
Along our bike journey, we encountered the Belted Galloway Cattle--the infamous oreo cow. Only the sight was appeasing, otherwise this wasn't no cookie. If my brain couldn't figure that out, my nose told me otherwise. Two things come to mind when I think cows: burgers and smells. I hope I don't have to say anything else, you're a bright, rational and thinking crowd.
NYC hear we come, ya here?
Monday, July 4, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Waterfalls and Italian Cheese
We arrived in Hamlin, NY Monday evening at our good friend Dan Cariello's lake house. The gorgeous house, built by Dan's dad, sat on a huge plot of land overlooking the lake. After a long day of driving on Monday we were greeted by cold beers and a hearty dinner (including Rochester's famous "white hot dogs") which we enjoyed on the back deck. In addition to Dan and his parents, Jonathan's brother, Daniel, and family friend, Joel, also made the drive up from Virginia to enjoy Hamlin with us. After dinner the boys attempted to catch some fish but soon gave up their efforts and retired to the bottom floor of Dan's house where his grandparents live. Both of Dan's grandparents are deaf as a consequence of childhood illnesses (one from Scarlet Fever and the other from Pertussis) so getting to know them was very engaging. Kate was able to recall the ASL alphabet and loved going around the apartment with Dan's grandmother as she showed her tons of family photos and recounted tales of her life in her native Sweden, her three sisters and her mother who lived to be 97. Dan's grandfather enjoyed telling the boys about his extensive history of playing sports and especially his impressive accomplishments in the bowling alley. They will be celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year and we had such a great time hearing about their rich lives together in spite of the communication barrier between us.
Tuesday we enjoyed a trip to the New York side of Niagara Falls. Dan bought us all tickets for the Maid of the Mist which is a large boat that takes you into the center of the falls. Before boarding the boat they outfit you with large blue ponchos to protect you from the mist. It was quickly obvious that those ponchos spared us from being soaked! The falls were huge and when we got up close on our boat ride you could barely see anything in front of you but a huge white cloud of water. The currents were super rocky and made for a pretty perilous boat ride. It was amazing to hear about the people who have survived a plunge over the falls, including a 65 year old woman who went over the falls in a wooden barrel! Talk about a life story!
After exploring the falls we went back to Hamlin and got ready for a night out with Dan's friend, Dominic. Dominic's family immigrated from Italy and have started an Italian pizzeria/deli in the town. The restaurant has done quite well for them and they now have a gorgeous house on many acres that includes their own vineyard, orchard, gardens and even a pod of sheep for their own supply of lamb (as Dominic's dad said, none of our animals are pets). We were welcomed into Dominic's home by his parents. When we arrived, his mother was lamenting that she had nothing to feed us and then proceeded to pull out cheeses that were made in her home town in Italy and a loaf of homemade garlic bread. If that was "nothing to feed us" than it was the best nothing we ever had! Dominic's father then brought some wine up from his basement that he had just made using the grapes in his vineyard. After enjoying great food and conversation we headed across the street to a local bar and had a great night including DJ Daniel funding a night's worth of tunes from the bar's jukebox.
On Wednesday we went to a park called Stoneybrooke that was about 40 minutes from Hamlin. We walked about a mile down a trail and then came out of the woods to a huge stream with a substantial current. We walked up the stream against the current and came upon a 20 foot waterfall. The boys each took a turn diving into the freezing falls while Kate decided to skip that adventure and photograph their craziness. We continued to walk up stream, enjoying two more huge waterfalls and eventually ended up at the head of the trail where we started. Before we left for the park that morning Dan's grandfather had given us money to buy dinner so Dan ordered take-out from two different Italian restaurants and we returned home bearing a gigantic pizza, 50 chicken wings, calamari and some sort of friend artichoke dish. We indulged in all of this delicious food and then went to bed, worn out and satisfied.
We got up early Thursday morning and hit the road for Maine. We made a quick stop on the way up the coast in Freeport, Maine (home of the first L.L. Bean store-now open 24 hours!) so Kate could engage in some outlet shopping and then continued on to Thomaston. Kate spent every summer of her childhood in Maine and 10 years ago her parents purchased their retirement home in Thomaston, Maine. They have yet to sell their house in Virginia and officially move to Maine for good so for now they enjoy it on long weekends and for most of the summer. The weather is amazing here and we have spent much of the day relaxing on the front porch, enjoying the cool breeze and waving to neighbors as they stroll by. Can't get more relaxed than this! We have also been doing a little bit of 4th of July preparations. Thomaston puts on a huge 4th celebration complete with a parade in the morning, a festival during the day and a fireworks show at night. Kate's mom is on the 4th Planning Committee so has been busy with all of her duties. When we arrived last night she greeted us with "Volunteer" T-shirts and informed us we were signed up to sell raffle tickets on the big day!
This weekend we're looking forward to enjoying the Maine weather with some hiking, kayaking and biking through the local seaport towns. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!
Tuesday we enjoyed a trip to the New York side of Niagara Falls. Dan bought us all tickets for the Maid of the Mist which is a large boat that takes you into the center of the falls. Before boarding the boat they outfit you with large blue ponchos to protect you from the mist. It was quickly obvious that those ponchos spared us from being soaked! The falls were huge and when we got up close on our boat ride you could barely see anything in front of you but a huge white cloud of water. The currents were super rocky and made for a pretty perilous boat ride. It was amazing to hear about the people who have survived a plunge over the falls, including a 65 year old woman who went over the falls in a wooden barrel! Talk about a life story!
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| In our ponchos before boarding the Maid of the Mist |
After exploring the falls we went back to Hamlin and got ready for a night out with Dan's friend, Dominic. Dominic's family immigrated from Italy and have started an Italian pizzeria/deli in the town. The restaurant has done quite well for them and they now have a gorgeous house on many acres that includes their own vineyard, orchard, gardens and even a pod of sheep for their own supply of lamb (as Dominic's dad said, none of our animals are pets). We were welcomed into Dominic's home by his parents. When we arrived, his mother was lamenting that she had nothing to feed us and then proceeded to pull out cheeses that were made in her home town in Italy and a loaf of homemade garlic bread. If that was "nothing to feed us" than it was the best nothing we ever had! Dominic's father then brought some wine up from his basement that he had just made using the grapes in his vineyard. After enjoying great food and conversation we headed across the street to a local bar and had a great night including DJ Daniel funding a night's worth of tunes from the bar's jukebox.
On Wednesday we went to a park called Stoneybrooke that was about 40 minutes from Hamlin. We walked about a mile down a trail and then came out of the woods to a huge stream with a substantial current. We walked up the stream against the current and came upon a 20 foot waterfall. The boys each took a turn diving into the freezing falls while Kate decided to skip that adventure and photograph their craziness. We continued to walk up stream, enjoying two more huge waterfalls and eventually ended up at the head of the trail where we started. Before we left for the park that morning Dan's grandfather had given us money to buy dinner so Dan ordered take-out from two different Italian restaurants and we returned home bearing a gigantic pizza, 50 chicken wings, calamari and some sort of friend artichoke dish. We indulged in all of this delicious food and then went to bed, worn out and satisfied.
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| Joel, Daniel, Dan and Jonathan at Stoneybrooke |
This weekend we're looking forward to enjoying the Maine weather with some hiking, kayaking and biking through the local seaport towns. Hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
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