Back "home" in New Jersey Sept 26 - Oct 1 2019

It was a 9 hour ride from Vermont to the Mahlon campground in Milton, but once we reached Waterbury, CT, Bob wanted to push on.  We were able to set up the RV, grab a bite to eat and relax.  The next day we did some grocery shopping, and then went to Adele's house for dinner.  Carol and Nelson joined us there.  Friday was another laid back day, with an afternoon visit at Carol's and dinner there.  The family gathering at Adele's for Uncle Mike's 97th birthday party was on Saturday. There were about 31 people all in all.  Sunday we went to the cemetery, visited with John and Plish in Bloomfield, then met up with the Konecny cousins at a restaurant in Wyckoff.  We spent most of Monday doing some prep in order to leave tomorrow, and we had an early dinner with Adele, Michael, Carol and Nelson as a grand finale.

Here are some of the family photos:

                                             The "birthday boy" and Rita.

Michael and his newest grandson, Theodore

David tells us about his plans for running the NYC Marathon.  Five year old Alexander and Rita's son-in-law Jack are in the background.

                       Rachel has a moment with dad, Michael and son Alexander.

 

while Jill and sister in law Kim do the same.  Rita's daughter Linda is behind them.



Joe and Barbara's grand daughter, Izzy, in her Cinderella gown and bicycle helmet.

                               Dean and Annie and little rescued  kitty Rails. Melody, Izzy's mom is behind them.

John and Christie, who faced time from Pennylvania ,to wish Grandpa a happy 97th.

Adele does a resounding rendition of "Sto Lat" the Polish birthday song, while Bob, Lorraine, Melody, Tommy and Barbara cheer her on.

From right to left...Stella on Grandpa Joe's lap, Alexander on Great Grandpa Mike's lap, Wade, Theodore on Aunt Barbara's lap, Izzy next to Grandma Barbara, Carol, Michael, Sean, Luke and Matt in the background.

The Konecny gathering at the Brick House in Wyckoff.  From left and around:  Dean, Brian, Madalyn; Morgan, Ray, Kelly, me, Bob, Anne, Sherri and Judi.  Amanda, Adam, Alexa and Alina were on a trip to Chicago and couldn't join us.

                          And "the last supper" for this trip in New Jersey...

...until next time.















 



Visit with the Dorers in Montpelier Sept 22 - 24, 2019

Plish and John bought a duplex here.   They rent out one half, and use the other half as a second home in order to visit with their daughter Chris and her family...son-in-law Rhett, and grand daughters Izzy, and twins Aria and Sage.  (Their son Jeff and his family live outside Grand Rapids, MI ).

          

  Montpelier is the capitol of Vermont; this is the Capitol building seen as we passed through the city.

At the Hill Street home, we met up with Plish and John and grand daughter, Izzy, who had just finished a rally with friends in town.

From there we went to Chris and Rhett's home in Roxbury where we were treated to dinner and  an introduction to the newly turned 4 year old twins, Aria (in foreground) and Sage.

                                    The home is quite rustic, but oh, so homey.

                        And, on two acres of wooded land, a lot of room for a tree house...

                                                          campfire...

                                        and of course, roasted marshmallows.





 (It got dark quickly and some pictures didn't turn out...I apologize for not getting one of Chris or a better one of Rhett...or more of the kids...but we thank them all for such a nice evening)

The next day, we were going to go for a picnic, but it was overcast, so I asked John if he wouldn't mind driving to St Johnsbury.  We did some shopping and had a good lunch in town, then stopped at this general store and post office in West Danville.

The next day, I needed to do laundry.  Who could ask for a better friend than one who would be willing to sit with me while that tedious task was done?  The guys did some "guy things" and then met us there.

                Later, we walked into town and went to the Montpelier Library book sale.

John and Bob browsed a few selections in the foyer, and then we went downstairs to where there were more books.  The library is really a beautiful old structure with granite and carved oak wood work through out  After our downtown tour, we went back to the camp.  Plish and John will head home to Bloomfield, NJ, tomorrow, and Bob and I will begin our trek to New Jersey also.  We plan to see each other one day while we are there.

                          



 





Heading Back to Montpelier, VT Sept 21, 2019

After saying our good-byes to the Bobaries, we headed back to Montpelier, VT, to visit with long time friends, Plish and John.  We spent a night in Hanover, ME, and arrived back at Onion River Campground, 13 miles west of Montpelier, where we stayed for three nights.

From Stonington to Stony Brook...this campground is really one of the nicest we've stayed at.  It offers so much...spacious sites with hanging flower baskets at each one,  beautiful views, an in ground pool, kayak and canoe rentals to use on river that runs along side of it....

 

                                                         gem mining...

A general store and restaurant with a rustic feel...

                                                  and a cozy sitting area.  We would definitely stop here again  "next time".







Stonington Day 3 Sept 20, 2019

On our last day's visit, Bobby and Valerie had a surprise in store for us...

Nervous Nellie's Jams and Jellies on
Deer Isle

                           It is an artists madcap re-creation of a wild west town.



Everything in it (except the jams and jellies) is made from scrap wood and metals and down right junk found at old mills and dumps.

                It was the dream of Peter Berrits to create the town, and he has been building it for the past thirty years.

There are Picasso-like sculptured people in each of the buildings.  Bobby felt inclined to say hello and talk to most of them. 

                         Valerie is in the hoose-gow but insists she is innocent.

Bob is awaiting trial.

                                     His cell mate is serving a life sentence.

Old blues tunes accompany the guitarist.  His shop has more tools, screws, nuts, bolts than even Bob's garage.





 Valerie can't resist boogie-ing

                                                       Bobby loves the wood

Bob loves the jam

                                            And we all loved the church.

We ended the day with a dinner of home made pirogis and salad, and of course more pinochle, and the next morning, Bobby and Valerie stopped at our campsite to say so long to us.  They will be heading back to Lavonia next week.  Thanks to both of you for a wonderful time!!!







 



 

 



Stonington, Maine Day 2 Sept 19 2019

                                    Thursday we were back at The Bobaries. 

Bob was treated to a lobster roll which consisted of lazy man's lobster (lobster already taken from the shell by Valerie) and a huge home made roll Bobby baked.  The beer is some kind of traditional wheat beer Bobby said was the only kind to drink with lobster, served in frosted tall steins.  There was also a pasta salad and more fresh bread for us non-lobster lovers (Bobby and me).

This is how I like my lobster...still free from a lobster pot!  I didn't know there were blue lobsters and other colors, too.  They don't turn red until the are cooked.

We learned that and other fascinating facts about the lobster industry at the fishery on the bay.  Maine is the only state that has laws which have sustained the lobster population over the years.

Bob and I outside the fishery.

                                                      Stonington Library

                                  Heading to a gift shop located on the bay.



Valerie knows the owner, Al.  The shop had a lot of unique items which were reasonably priced. We bought several things there including a wind chime and gazing globe.

At another shop, Valerie modeled a moose hat which she says she might use for a Halloween costume...I think it was the wine talking.  I think she intends to  wear it to the next ladies auxiliary meeting.

                        A visit to the ship's chandlery was very interesting.

And from the back window we could see a  schooner out in the harbor past the lobster boats.  We headed back to the house for surf and turf...sirloin steaks and shrimp seasoned and grilled to perfection.  And, of course, pinochle followed.