8/1/2016

August 1, 2016

A day by day accounting of the Trip:

Monday -- Allen graciously planned some tours for us around where he lives near Albany, NY. We began at a National Park Historic site, Lindenwald, the home of 8th US President Martin Van Buren. We then went to downtown Kinderhook, which is a lovely, very small town. Allen drove into Albany, where we went past some of the government buildings, and then on the Saratoga. We wandered around town for a bit, but only drove past the race track. We also had a chance to visit two cemeteries (how cool is that?) - Kinderhook Reformed Church and Oakwood. It was a busy day, but we saw a lot of really interesting things. 

 

Lindenwald, home of Martin Van Buren

Allen, me, M Van Buren, & Ishy

rejuvenated at a Saratoga Spring

as close to the race track as we got, but it was impressive

Martin Van Buren's grave

Tuesday – Allen had to be at work in the afternoon, and Ishy and I planned to drive back to Rochester, but that still left quite a bit of time in the morning to visit more places near where Allen lives. We went to the Ichabod Crane schoolhouse, which was a one-room schoolhouse that was used until the 1930's, and the Luykas Van Alen House, built in 1737 for a wealthy farmer. Not far from those two sites is the Omi International Arts Center Fields Sculpture Park, which features over 100 permanent and temporary outdoor exhibitions. 

Allen with a 48-star flag in the Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse

The Luykas Van Alen House

Life imitating Art

 

Wednesday – It appeared that neither of the LWS liked to drive - Ishy didn't want to go to Ontario Beach Park for the free concert and I didn't want to drive her car. So, she stayed home, and I took the bus. I actually totally enjoyed being on the RTS again because I used to take it to work every day. I needed to get a transfer downtown, and Rochester has a new bus terminal that I had not seen before. I had time to spend in the city center, so I wandered around to the library, Main Street, and the holes where The Shop and midtown plaza used to be. The urban core in this city is deteriorated, but I don’t believe that's unique. I took another bus all the way to the lake to listen to the concert, and I visited with a friend from my City Hall days there. 

the new RTS bus terminal

 

Thursday – My BFF Marcia picked me up and we went to lunch. Then we visited her grandchildren at their home. Maddie and Zach are wonderful! I had a nice swim in Marcia and Andy's pool and a lovely dinner that she cooked. After that, we went to a jazz concert in the town where they live. Marcia and Andy have a lovely home, and amazing gardens, that they work very hard at. And the biggest hibiscus flowers I've ever seen! I spent the night with these great friends. 

huge hibiscus

great gardens in the front yard at Marcia and Andy's house

 

 

Friday – Because Andy is an artist, we drove to a winery on Seneca Lake to drop off two of his oil paintings for a show at Anthony Road Winery. His art group had spent some time at the winery and painted wonderful scenes, both of the gardens on the grounds, and the views of the lake. I had a great time just wandering around. We ate a tasty lunch at a local historic Hotel, and then visited another winery, where we did do a tasting, (interestingly, the gift shop here sells Savannah Bee Company products!) and wandered around the lovely estate. Andy also displays his art work at the quaint Bristol library, so we stopped there. The library is a former blacksmith shop that had a school bell and cupola added. We met with Mandy, Don, Maddie and Zack for dinner that night to celebrate Andy's birthday. I had a beer battered fish fry, something I miss terribly in Savannah. That was so nice to be included. 

the Bristol Library, where original paintings by C A Lloyd can be found

Don, Andy, Mandy, Marcia, Maddie and Zach - great looking family!

 

 

Saturday – I was back at Ishy's after supper Friday night. So we decided that we would go to the LW Emporium on Saturday. We've been there numerous times before. It's a craft / antique co-op that has lots of interesting things. I was a little disappointed in the crafts; it seems I've always been able to find Thanksgiving or Christmas crafts to decorate my condo with in years past, but I guess I was there too early this year. I did get a nice bracelet. On the way back, we stopped at a farmer's market for fresh corn. The corn I buy at Publix comes from California, so it was nice to have fresh farm-grown corn (and raspberries, which didn't look as perfect as the ones I buy at Publix, but tasted ever so much better). Ishy made some potato salad, and we cooked white hot dogs. A memorable meal!

the L W Emporium

 

Sunday – Before going to the graduation party for Rachel Bordanaro, Ishy and I visited another craft / antique shop that we used to go to. We didn't find much to buy (we both agree that we have TOO MUCH STUFF), but we laughed and laughed at girdle with garters that was for sale. Who would buy that? anyone who ever wore one would not pay a red cent to have one again! Then we went to Rachel's party. It was very nice and I saw some people I haven't seen in a long time. It was nice to reconnect. 

Rachel and her mom with a to-die-for cake

 

Monday – There was not much time before I had to get ready to go to the airport. At least the flight didn't take 26 hours, like the train did, but it seemed like a long day. I was ever so happy to be back in Savannah! And also delighted that the white hots and NYS wine I'd packed made it through TSA all the way home!

A few of my favorite photos from the trip:

Swimming in Kinderhook Lake, right outside Allen's door

Rachel, Wayne, Robin, and Hannah - one of my very favorite families!

what Ishy and I did most - sit at her kitchen table

a pretty cool picture of some of Rochester taken through the window at the Central Library

a favorite picture of me and Marcia (I have a very similar one taken years ago on Jekyll Island)

Sarah and Jack - this was the first and maybe only time, for me to meet Jack