8/13/2023

Weekly Update 8/13/2023

I got up very early on Wednesday morning. No coffee, no shower, no bra, no makeup, no hearing aids.  I got in the car and started off. I needed to stop a few times, for gas and find a rest room. I stopped at a welcome center in Virginia and asked how to get to western NY without continuing on 95 through Washington DC. They gave me directions to take route 81. I stopped at a hotel and tried to relax and figure out the best way to continue in the morning. 

On Thursday, I easily found 81, but that route was awful. There were lane closures nearly all the way through PA. However, I never saw any construction or maintenance - just slowly merging to a single land and traveling for mil in one lane. That was frustrating. I got to Geneva NY about 5 o’clock and met Allen at the hotel he’d reserved for us. We went out for supper and then watched the Hall of Fame game. 

Friday was The Wedding. It as about a 45 minute drive from our hotel, and it began in mid-afternoon. Emily was lovely. There was the service, lots of photographs, a buffet, dancing, and visiting with people I haven’t seen in a long time, and may never see again.  Adrian and Annie were adorable. They came down the aisle in a wagon before Emily and Brian, and they were perfect. 

Saturday, Allen and I checked out of the hotel. Since we were in Geneva, we wanted to explore a little of Seneca Lake. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, the annual Garlic Fest was just beginning. That made it difficult to park, and there were lots of people in the welcome center. We wandered around, took a few pictures, and stayed for about an hour. Then we drove to Skaneateles for lunch at Doug’s Fish Fry - lots of good memories there. We parted ways there - Allen went east to his home; I went west to check into the Hampton Inn in Webster. I had enough time to settle in and relax a bit. Then I drove to Marcia and Andy’s house. Their 50th wedding anniversary was the same day that Emily and Aaron got married. I wanted to do something a little special, so we went out to dinner at a wonderful Italian place nearby. This was a long day - one of many.

On Sunday, I wanted to take a tour at Mt Hope Cemetery. So, I made plans with Ishy to visit her later in the afternoon.  Brian and Sharon met us at her house. Emily and Aaron also stopped by briefly, but didn’t go to dinner with us. They’re going to Costa Rica for their honeymoon, but didn’t leave until Monday. Since I hardly had any time with them at The Wedding, it was really nice to have a little more time. After they left, Ishy, Brian and Sharon and I went out for supper. I’d been invited to Michelle’s house for supper, but since I’d already eaten, I stopped later for dessert.

I had no plans for Monday, and when I tried to find something interesting to visit, I was surprised that all museums and tourist places were closed on Mondays. I connected with Sarah, and asked if I could go to the Strong Museum of Play with them. That’s one place that’s open every day. Adrian and Annie were delightful, of course. Adrian is a wonder!  He knows what his favorite places to play are, and he headed right for them. March Box Cars and race tracks. Annie just loves watching Adrian play.  I just loved watching Annie and Adrian. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I went back to the hotel for just a few minutes to recover and then went out to get a sandwich at DiBellas, an old time favorite sub shop. As I was going down the road, I met a police road block. I turned around to go the other way, and that was blocked off too. At the Walmart that was in the same area, someone report seeing a man with a rifle. Everything shut down - Walmart, DiBellas, even other restaurants I tried to get into. Never one to risk starvation, I went to ALDIs, got a loaf of bread and a block of cheddar cheese. I had some wine in the room. At least I didn’t go hungry. 

The plan for Tuesday was to meet friends from City Hall for lunch. Ishy joined us, because she knew them as well. We met at a lovely restaurant in Canandaigua. It was nice to learn what everyone is doing, and hear news of others that I used to work with  When we got back to the hotel, Ishy and I went shopping. She found a new pair of jeans, but I had no luck finding a Bills shirt. I’d seen a lot of Buffalo Bill merchandise in Wegmans, but it was pricey. Walmart had nothing, and Penney’s was nearly as expensive, and there was a limited selection. I was empty handed. After dropping Ishy back at her house, I went back out to visit Marcia and Andy one more time. 

The weather for Wednesday promised to be warm and sunny, so I met Sarah, Adrian and Annie at Genesee Country Museum. That’s a historic village outside of Rochester. Sarah had wanted to visit there again. She hasn’t been there since I took her when she was young. When she found out I was interested in seeing it, she suggested we all go. Of course, the babies weren’t that interested in the history, but Annie just liked watching Adrian. Adrian liked walking around, seeing the farm animals and picking up rocks.  He had a little disappointment at the farm house where the lady was baking cookies because he really didn’t understand that he couldn’t have one, but we got one at the gift shop when we exited, so it was ok. His absolute favorite thing to do there was to take the wagon ride. It was pulled by a big tractor and, although it’s meant for old people who need help getting around, he loved riding. He completely charmed the driver who even allowed him to sit in the tractor and pretend to drive. Both babies napped in the stroller after their picnic lunch, so Sarah had a chance to get in a few buildings and see some demonstrations. For myself, I rather felt that I can see historic houses anytime I want, so I just thoroughly enjoyed being with Sarah and the babies. We got there when it opened, and stayed until closing. It was a long day, and I was exhausted!  I know why young people have babies; you need that much energy!  

I drove to Camillus to see the Flynn’s. It was Robin’s birthday on Thursday, so that was a good opportunity to see them. Cousin Jimmy, Robin’s brother, went with me, which was nice because I would have had trouble finding it. Hannah has not gone back to university yet for the fall semester, so I could visit with her. Rachel was working, but we met her and her boyfriend when we all went out to dinner at a Tex Mex place that was very nice. I was wonderful to see them!

And then it was Friday, and time to check out of the hotel Webster, pick up Roberta and her daughter Michelle, and head back to Savannah. They wanted to visit Savannah and this was a chance for them to do that. They’ll be with me for about a week. It was a long two day drive, but I was behind the wheel only at the very beginning. They kindly picked up the driving chores. We rolled into Belmont Park about 6 pm – and I was glad to be home! Altogether, the trip was just over 2,700 miles and gas cost almost $250. I don’t want to do this again for a long, long time!

Sunday, we went downtown. It was terrifically hot and muggy, and we didn’t want to spend much time outside. There were no trolleys that were air conditioned, so after a visit inside at the history museum, I drove around. They were able to see most everything form the comfort of my car, and I’m as good a tour guide as any trolley driver. James was in Chippewa Square, so we visited with him for a while. WE had coffee at Gallery Express and an early dinner at Paula Deen’s The Lady and Sons. When we got back to the apartment, we watched the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil video, and we were able to recognize some of the places we visited earlier in the day.