Day 882: Gourmet toasted cheese

Colin has become quite a chef!  For brunch today, he prepared gourmet toasted cheese sandwiches.  He offered white or sour dough bread, four different cheeses, bacon, tomato slices, sautéed onions, avocado slices, and salami.  April added tomato soup, a mixed fruit salad and of course, mimosas!  It wouldn't be a NYC brunch without them.

During the few minutes we had decided to walk in the park, it rained!  It seems to follow us wherever we go.  We substituted the second Star Trek movie instead.  Dinner was an adventure in the bustling, crowded city.   Korean barbecue, delicious!   Dozens of small dishes containing delectable garnishes arrived at the table to complement the sizzling steaks, veggies and mushrooms that are barbecued right at the table.

Today was our only chance to have the whole family together this weekend and Justin missed it.  It was very disappointing since we won't be together again till Thanksgiving.

Day 881: Homeward Bound

A great trip!  Easy bus transfer, smooth check in and boarding, and then a good book to occupy my time.  The only glitch was an extra security check for Steve in Reykjavik.  No one napped along the way, so we could make the switch back to our time zone more easily.  Forty minutes on the bus, two hours in the airport, two hours from Glasgow to Reykjavik, 1.5 hour layover, 5.5 hours to NY, then two hours from the airport to Evan's.  It was a very long day! 

We all agreed that Reykjavik airport has the best lavatories of any airport in the world.  We must have flown through fifty different airports and none can compare.  I especially appreciate that they do not make constant announcements.

The plane landed at 7 and we were in Penn Station by 8:15.  After a quick meal of take out Chinese, we crashed and slept soundly.  

Day 880: Falkirk

We booked an express bus for Falkirk, but discovered through the miles that they don't exist.  The bus must have stopped at 60 nooks, corners and villages along the way.  We should have taken the train for a few pounds more.  Nevertheless, it was a successful trip!

Even though we arrived 20 minutes late for our appointment with the records specialist in the clerks office, she was incredibly kind and gave us her expertise for a full hour.  Mary was searching for information on their maternal great grandparents, Jeanie Masterton Hall and James Hall.  They emigrated to the US around 1870.  They already knew a bit about each and the specialist was able to confirm some facts and more details.  Mary was especially glad to get records on three of the great, great grandparents.  She gave us the address of where James and Jeanie lived and directed us to the neighborhood.  Although all the structures and alleyways are gone now, we walked along the main road to David's Loan, the area where they lived and he worked in a foundry.

It was quite thrilling to make that journey back to the 1850s and 1860s.  Mary has lots of documentation for births, deaths, children, immigration, occupations and addresses.  It's made me want to collect more info on my ancestors.

The specialist suggested that Culross would be too difficult to reach in a day without a car because it is not connected to regular train and bs routes.  We will have to return one day to continue the quest.

Tomorrow,  we fly out at 2:00!  It's been a relaxing holiday with lots of unique elements.

Day 879: Ubiquitous rain!

Smooth train ride to Edinburgh in sunlight!
Ice cream at Edinburgh Castle,
Photos in traditional garb
Yorkshire pudding, sausages, gravy, peas and pear cider
Rain starts as a drizzle, becomes steady
Downpour soaks through our raincoats
Along the Royal Mile
Stop for tea and cakes
Out in the rain again, running from shop to shop
Back to the train for another peaceful ride
Pizza and wine
Sleep
One more day
In Falkirk and Culross
Then home.

Maya Angelou died today.  She brought light to dark places
And was never defeated by grief or sadness.

Day 878: The quest for Nessie!

It was a long and dangerous journey to find the elusive Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster!  We explored the depths of the lochs and the breadth of the highlands, but could not find her.  Instead, we discovered haggis, clotty pudding, millions of sheep and lambs, towering mountains and great glens.  We learned a great deal of Scottish history and lore, enjoyed its music and were left wanting more.

Day 877: Oh, it's not raining? Wait a minute!

We always say that western NY has changeable weather, but it is nothing compared to Scotland!  Guide books had warned visitors to have raincoats handy and we have been ready.  I want to say to the people of Glasgow, you aren't seeing me at my best.  Sneakers, fleece, raincoat, hood hair, camera case slung over one shoulder, purse over the other and camera around my neck.  Oh well!

Our day began at the tourist bureau making arrangements for the week and finding out how to navigate the trains and busses to get to our destinations.  Just finding the right bus is tricky.  Today, we took the bus to experience the distillery in Glengoyne.  The trip was delightful as our huge bus swooped and swerved through tiny twisting roads.  Hillsides dotted with sheep, horses and Shetland ponies were cut in sections by low rock walls.

We booked the wee tasting tour that started with a dram of whiskey.  I took a sip.  It wasn't bad on the lips, but when it hit my throat, it burned all the way down.  I added a bit of water and took another sip.  Better, but not good.  Steve and Mary enjoyed it and learned a lot about the process.

We had to wait an hour for the bus to rerun, so a one hour tour wound up taking four hours.  It short changed our time visiting the city sights.  We dashed through the Botanic Gardens to see the orchids.

Tomorrow, we're off to Loch Ness!  We booked a 12 hour bus trip with lots of stops and a cruise on the loch.  Hope it goes well.

Day 876: getting to know Glasgow

After a layover in Reykjavik,  our plane landed in Glasgow about 10:45.  Iceland really knows how to  treat visitors.  Huge, luxurious restrooms, fresh food, and quiet.  Several flights were scheduled but no announcements were made.  People simply read the board and got in line.  I slept at least three hours if the first leg and one if the second.  Best flight I ever had.  Steve and Mary didn't do quite as well.  The customs officer gave us directions for the bus, warning against over-priced taxis.  Everyone we've met has been helpful and welcoming and we've done pretty well understanding their accents.

We wandered around the city to get our bearings and encountered a  street band called Clanadonia that played bagpipes and drums.  It was ferocious, heart-pounding music that would stir any clansmen to battle.   Lunch was fish and chips at Chippy doon the Valley.

Tomorrow we are taking the hop on hop off bus tour and then visit a distillery.  But first, a good night's sleep!

Day 875: JFK airport stinks!

May I say, we love to travel and are so very grateful that we are able to do so, but JFK Airport stinks!  The horrible noise, expensive poor-quality food, unending loud announcements, long lines to pee in smelly bathrooms, the difficulty of navigating between terminals and the crush of people!  It's no wonder that my head is exploding.

The day started at 5:00 am and we still have not boarded Icelandair.  Our flight from. Buffalo landed at 10:45 and it took till 1:15 to get to Penn Station to meet Justin and Evan.  How wonderful to have a couple hours together to catch up .   The trip back to the airport was a bit shorter cause it was  easier to pick up the luggage  than it was to store it.  

I know that once we arrive,  our adventure in Scotland will be amazing!  We plan to visit the tiny village called Culross where Steve and Mary's ancestors lived.  How extraordinary!

Hope to write tomorrow, but we will see how things go.

Day 874: Packed and ready!

We're all packed and ready to go early in the morning.  As the forecast has revealed more rain and cold, we've reconsidered and thrown in a few more layers.  Fredonia looks like it will have sunshine for the week we're gone!

Tomorrow, we get to see two out of four kids!  Very excited to spend a few hours together before we depart.

The Memorial Day program was exceptional.  Moving and somber, it captured just the right tone.  I especially liked the song performed by the fifth grade chorus and the comments by Capt. and Mrs. Williams.  Students were respectful and courteous.  Two will be entering the service after graduation.

I shortened and hung all the new curtains and it transforms the living room.  When we return, I'll tend to a few new accessories to brighten and update the room.

Day 873: More luck!

The rainfly has been located!  The girl who dropped out and then wanted to drop back in still has it.   Why on earth didn't she return it?   Nevertheless, we're almost done.  Perhaps tomorrow the equipment issues will be concluded.

Also, tomorrow is the Memorial Day Program, one of my favorite events.  When I began it in 2000, I met with a lot of resistance from the faculty because of the time away from instruction.  (35 minutes!)  Amy does a wonderful job of arranging a moving program, but she also has trouble with some staff.  This year, a former student and her husband are speaking about their experiences over the past year while he was deployed to Afghanistan.

The Student Council has now taken over the maintenance of the flower pots next to the Philip Witkowski Memorial Bench.  It's time for them to buy into the process of caring for the memorial and learn how to plan, purchase and plant the flowers.   We've been doing it since it was constructed back in 2006 and now we can pass that job on.

Lots more clovers popped out in front of me today on our walk along Chestnut, Seymour, Howard and Forest.  I was extra lucky and found two five leaf clovers!

All my packing is done!  And the house is clean! I'm never prepared a whole day in advance.  It's amazing what you can get done with a little free time.

New living room curtains!  I am banishing the red and gold from the room and replacing it with cooler, brighter colors.  It's ironic to me that ikat has become so popular in the US now since the patterns originated in Uzbekistan.  Right next to this window is the cabinet that holds my Uzbek dishes in the same colors and very similar designs.  

Day 872: Four leaf clovers

I've always been able to find four leaf clovers very quickly.  When I was a kid, I'd lie in the yard, searching until I found them.  I came home with dozens at a time so that after a while they became too easy.  One summer, I decided to dig up the plant and see if I could propagate them.  It didn't work.  Next, I started looking for five and six leaf clovers.   They do exist, but they are much rarer.  As we walked down Risley St. hill, I spotted one alongside the road.  For some reason,  they stand out to me.  Today, I only picked a couple, just enough to guarantee good luck for our trip to Scotland.

A ferocious storm moved through our area over night.  Mayville got 3.7 inches of rain, Falconer got 3 inches and Westfield got just under 2 inches.  Falconer and Frewsburg schools closed.  Ridgeway, Pa. is totally flooded.  A huge storm hit Louisville, too, and took out a tree in Nancy's yard.  Fortunately, it dropped neatly between her house and the neighbor's.  The fire radio and phone went off so many times over night that we barely slept.

Since it was pouring, we spent the morning packing.  The temperature range will be 60-65 during the day and 48-50 at night.  Just like we've been experiencing here.  We are nearly ready and getting more excited by the day.  After waiting all day, our foreign currency arrived late this afternoon.  It's a much better exchange rate compared to exchanging money in the airport.

Two girls returned their parts to their tent, so one more is complete.  We thought that wrapped up backpacking, but then Rick called to tell us that another tent he had on the truck is missing its rainfly.  Plus, Kathy still doesn't have her tent back.  If everyone just carried their own tents, this wouldn't happen!

The creek was raging today!

The college was entirely empty today.  Summer school has begun, but no one was out and about.   The landscaping for the new science building is nearly complete.  It's an impressive addition to the campus. 

Day 871: Menzies Clan

We are reorienting our thinking toward the future as Quest is nearly put to bed for a few months.  One tent and one pack are still out, so we made calls and hopefully they will be returned tomorrow.  The thank you notes will be written after we return from our vacation and we will also set a date for the leader's picnic.

We're exploring the train options for excursions to the coast and lake country.  After a bit of research last night, I found out that the Menzies clan is Norman in origin.  Logical, really, although I never thought about being a product of the Norman invasion.  They settled in lands in the central highlands and eventually controlled a very large territory including Weem, Aberdeenshire and Lothian.

I hope one day to have time to do more thorough research on our family history.  Once the Quest book is done, that will be a new focus.  Although the boys know a few stories from the past, I don't think they have paid much attention to the family stories.  When we took them to the cemetery each Memorial Day, Grandma Betty always shared funny stories.  The most obvious was that her parents, Bertha and Warren, are buried several plots apart because they couldn't get along in life.  Mary has built on the very extensive research that Grandma Betty did for many years.  Betty's stories are also preserved in two books of poetry and essays.  They are real treasures.

Even my own siblings don't know many of the stories of our parents' history.  It's all in fragments and anecdotes.  At the reunion this summer, everyone was sharing stories and they all need to be written down and preserved.

For several years, I have tried to get Steve to write about his life experiences, especially Vietnam.  So much is lost to time unless it's written down.

Day 870: More chores completed

Andy asked Steve today if we would be doing Quest again in 2015.   This was while Steve was packing up the leftover food, cleaning the storeroom and storing the pots and pans.  No one brought in their equipment so we hope the remaining gear comes in tomorrow.  2015 will be number 29 for me and 27 for Steve.  He said yes.   I had always wanted to reach 40 years of teaching and I only made it to 39.  I am not about to stop at 29 Quests when 30 is just one more.  But, we'll see what the future holds for us.

Mary and I planned our excursions on our trip to Buffalo.  Our priority: PUBS!  In all the times we've been to the British Isles, we never were able to visit a pub, have a drink and listen to music because we were with students.  Now, we can explore at our own pace.  She has contacted a clerk in Falkirk who will assist us in the search for more information on their great grandparents, the Halls and Mastertons.  Perhaps we can even locate their ancestral homes.

I have no idea where the Menzies clan originated.  My great grandfather Chester was born in San Francisco and his birth records were destroyed in the great fire.  I believe his father, David, is the one who was born in Scotland.

Ben, Mike, Steve, Sean, and Alycia

Steve and Brigitte

Upside down treetop

We discovered this obstacle last year as we approached the cow tunnel.  It's surprising that the harsh winter did not dislodge it at all.  

Day 869: Clean up continues

I have a million stories to tell about Quest.  So many interesting anecdotes, unusual twists and great acts of  courage to relate, but they will have to wait till I can keep my eyes open!  Today we worked from 8 am to 6 pm on the equipment, laundry, stoves, yard work and house work.  Now, we're exhausted and  ready to sleep.

The day started with packing up all the pots, pans and utensils to deliver to the school wash room and Steve wanted to pick up the storage containers for the stoves.  When we arrived, an alarm in the elementary school was going off.  Steve called Dave W. to come tend to it while we waited outside because we did not want to be accused of triggering it.   Tomorrow morning, the crew will wash all the pots, but Steve will have to do it because I'm taking Mary back to the retinologist.

Between noon and five, families had the opportunity to return the equipment they borrowed.   Only six came and their returns were not all complete.  More gear will arrive during school tomorrow.  We want desperately to wrap up this operation and return to our civilian lives so we pushed like crazy.  Five loads of Quest laundry, two loads of our laundry, all the stoves cleaned and oiled, extra food organized to donate, supplies returned to school, front yard mowed, azaleas trimmed, front gardens cleaned and raked, then all the hostas and lilies sprayed with liquid fence.

This evening, I edited about 200 photos.  Some of them are pretty terrific, but there are lots more to edit.

Boots on a wire at the trailhead leading to Arkwright Falls

One of my favorite shots.

Notice the reflections of the clouds, trees and, in the upper left corner, a camper.  Petals float in the water and the polliwogs are feasting on a worm.  

A hardworking sheep dog!

Day 868: Quest 2014 Saturday

Kathy's silver trowel award for 25 years of dedicated service to our community!

Brie and Jillian

Jackie and I at the lunch grove

Jake, Shane and I at lunch

Steve and I on the bridge to the Filtration Plant

Day 867: Quest 2014 Friday

More tomorrow!

Scarlet tanager

At the Policeman's Grounds

Day 866: I'd rather be backpacking

Sleeping in our bed and taking a shower last night was terrific, but I'd rather be backpacking!  It's a strange sensation to be home on Wednesday and Thursday night of the four day hike.  I've never missed a Wednesday night in the past 25 years.  I missed one Thursday night when my niece Jennifer got married in 1998 and the night that Justin had a panic attack when he was a senior in 1995.  He was supposed to be taking care of his brothers, but Evan wound up taking care of him.   I missed three Friday nights.  One in 1995 to take care of Justin, one for Jenn's wedding and the one when Colin broke his collarbone in 1992.  So, I feel out of sync.

It was a difficult day because of complaints, absences, changes and questions.  A few parents have gotten really annoying.  One who pulled her kid out because of illness on Monday now is angry with us because she didn't know we were also departing on Friday. It seems they have changed their minds and now she wants to him to go, unless it's raining of course.  One difficult girl who told Chris on the two day hike that she was going to quit, was convinced by him to come back.  But on Monday, she told me she was definitely not going because she was just too homesick. On Tuesday, she came back and said she had decided to go.  Then on Wednesday, she didn't show up.  When we got home last night at 8:30, she called and asked if she could still go on Friday.   NOOOOO!

Our tennis playing student leader informed me at 9:20 tonight that he can't be there tomorrow. Of course, his coach told us that weeks ago, but he had to wait to the last possible moment.  The girl who decided she had to go to a softball tournament on Saturday never told her tent partner till today.  Another SL decided she had to go to an SAT prep just a few days ago.    The actual backpacking and all the activities are fun, the politics and catering to everyone's personal schedules is NOT!

The weather was not nearly as bad as predicted. We've been out in far worse storms and the day was quite pleasant for hiking.  Heavy rain fell right at 5:00 which would have spoiled dinner, but not irreparably.  We haven't even heard any thunder since last night.

This morning we scouted our route for Friday to check out the access road to the Policeman's Grounds and the bus route to our destination.  The dirt roads are pretty rough.

Suddenly, today, everything bloomed!  Finally!

Day 865: Quest 2014: the condensed version

A strong thunderstorm is over us now.  It's a good thing we aren't out in the open at Cockaigne.

The kids did great, but mom and dad are totally exhausted.  It was blazing hot when we departed the school, so I got dehydrated, sunburned and a fierce headache.  Many students also were sunburned, but they seemed happy and energized.  Even though we had to hike in town, we covered nearly as much distance as we usually do on Wednesday.  We just didn't have to climb the hill up the back of Cockaigne!

Steve did the creek crossing class down at the bridge near the lower pavilion in RJ Park with Jake, Corey and Dustin demonstrating.  Then I instructed them on how to respond if they got caught in a thunderstorm.

Brie, Brigitte, and Margaret did an outstanding job of organizing games.  They played elbow tag, built pyramids and we used the dowel rods.  All but three kids crossed over the rods!

Dinner went smoothly and then the rain started about 6:00.  We huddled into the upper pavilion and the student leaders led more songs and games.  It was quite wonderful, actually.

Now I must go to bed before I fall over.

Day 864: Decisions made

Over night, I devised a plan for Wednesday's activities.  We worked out the details over breakfast and then put our plans into action today.  We probably made fifty phone calls today, had a half dozen meetings, purchased the groceries, packed the cook bags, loaded the trucks and ate ice cream.

Tomorrow, we are cutting the hike short by staying in town and backpacking to Russell Joy Park for the afternoon and early evening.  We will have shelter for preparing an evening meal and making lunches and there are bathrooms.  The kids will have the opportunity to play lots of games.  And we'll use up much of the food we have stockpiled.

We have to skip Thursday's hike entirely because of the horrible forecast.  The NOAA meteorologist recommended that no one be outside hiking on Thursday because of the possibility of 2-3 more inches of rain and lightening.  There were flash floods in Gowanda and Silver Creek today when they got about 3 inches of rain in a few hours.  We can't take the risk of endangering novice hikers in unstable conditions.

On Friday, we will pack up and depart about 8:30 and bus the kids to the Ruttenbur Trail head.  Hopefully, the remainder of the expedition will proceed as it normally does.  They will have their own Dibble Hill experience, cheesecake contest and talent show.  We do expect intermittent rain, but the thunderstorms should have passed.

When we consider that this has never happened in the previous 25 years, we were due!  There have been plenty of rain or snow storms, sleet, hail, strong winds.  They always passed quickly.  This weather system is different in its intensity and duration.

Day 863: What shall we do?

The weather forecast is ominous.  NOAA predicts approximately 3 inches of rain and thunderstorms between Wed. and Friday morning.  Should we proceed as planned or go with one of our contingency plans?   We met with Kathy and Andy early this afternoon to discuss the options.  Andy called the bus garage and reserved busses in case we need to evacuate the kids part way through the expedition. Another possibility is to

cancel Wednesday and Thursday and depart on Friday morning after the worst of the front has passed.  We could hike Wednesday, go out Thursday morning and then return on Friday morning.  That's a very complicated and expensive option.  I would prefer that one.

And what about all the food we're to pick up in the morning?  Do we buy food we ultimately won't consume?

We made a dozen calls to the adults in the group to get their perspectives.  Kevin reflected their positions when he said, "Better safe  than sorry."  I know that's what Steve thinks too.  I am more daring.  Also, I don't like the thought of ten months of preparation going down the drain.  I don't mind rain, but I am afraid of lightening.

 We agreed that we need more information before the final decision is made.  Tomorrow morning we'll get another report from NOAA, consult with Julius, listen to Don Paul's forecast, meet with Andy and then decide.  So often, forecasts are hit and miss.  We could entirely escape the storm or it could hit us hard.

We discovered what appears to be a Celtic cross during our walk through the cemetery this morning.  The name on it was Barker, which was surprising.  We'll have to find out more about the design and the family it represents.

A large group met tonight for our class dinner.  Several of the snowbirds have returned from Florida after overwintering there.  We were joined by four members of the class of 1966 and Steve from '64.  Liberty had prepared for eight to ten, but we wound up with fifteen!

Day 862: Mother's Day 2014

It was a sunny, warm and happy Mother's Day.  This is generally NOT a favorite day since our mothers long ago passed away and our kids don't live nearby.  But today was delightful.  I finished mowing all of the lawn which was important since it's going to rain the rest of the week.  Then we mulched three of the small gardens!

The day began with a productive session at Penelope where we had great discussions on work by Sara, Carol B. and Linda.  An editor had sent Sara an evaluation of one of the poems she had submitted for publication.  Instead of an outright rejection, the editor suggested that she revisit a few lines.  We spent an hour analyzing the comments and then trying to determine how she could best address the issues.  This was difficult because Sara does not like her poems wrapped up neatly or too specific.  She prefers to infuse them with uncertainty and mystery.

Linda had made significant changes to her short story.  Since it is based on true events, she needed to conceal the true location and characters.   Carol's beautifully crafted essay reflected on her experiences teaching English in China many years ago.  She has such a rich collection of stories that we recommended that she assemble them into a book or submit them individually.

All of my sons called and visited for a half hour.  All I ever wanted was for them to be happy, healthy, employed and insured!  Now they are!  Colin's second performance with the Upright Citizen's Brigade went very well.  He plans to take another course, so we will not miss that final show.  April is on her way to London for the week.  Such a busy young woman!  Evan was bubbling over with excitement over his new job.  Justin was out for a walk looking for breakfast...at noon.  That's what New Yorkers do on Sunday.

Are we ready for Quest?  Very close, but not quite.  We put all the photos into the frames, but now we need help identifying a few of the kids so we can match photos to certificates.  There's also a bit of uncertainty about the supply truck crew which has to be resolved.  Tomorrow, we pack up the cook kits and load the vehicles with supplies and food.  Then, I need to do a serious re-examination of my gear.  I think I'll be taking two raincoats and an extra fleece again this year.

The dogwood garden

Steve is very tense and nervous, especially about the extreme weather that's on its way from the west.  I don't mind hiking in the rain, but I really want the kids to have a great time.  The cool temperatures will probably keep them from swimming and the heavy rain may limit our games.  That's the fun part of the expedition that they shouldn't miss.  

Day 861: Kenny Awards 2014

Sandy and Kathy accepting the Kenny Award for best costume design!

Our kids after the show!

Taylor and Steve accepted the Kenny Award for best scenic design!

Steven, Ben, Bri with our cast 

Michaela won best actress in a leading role

Graciela, Jordyn, Emma, Claire and Shelby won the Kenny for best ensemble

Orchard Park won best production for Les Miserables

We were disappointed, but happy with our awards.  

Day 860: Two yellow tulips!

They made it!  They evaded the predatory deer!  

We're watching the weather forecasts for the upcoming week and it doesn't look good.  On Wednesday, they are predicting strong winds, thunderstorms and heavy rain.  If that forecast holds as we get closer to departure, we may have to postpone the trip for a day.  We cannot risk the safety of our young charges.  The cold front is crashing in on Wednesday, so once that is past, we can safely hike, even though the temps will be cool.  We have to wait and see, but we are making contingency plans if the conditions do not improve.  

It was the first day in the 80s since October 6!  I worked till the sweat was dripping down my face.  The east side hydrangea garden and lawn were my targets and they were full of leaves. The yard was dry enough to do a bit of mowing and hauling debris back to the compost piles.  I only got stuck in the mud once!  There's a mountain of sticks to run through the chipper once we get finished with all our trips and we need to spend a few hours pulling garlic mustard.  

Day 859: Leaves emerge

Finally!  Leaves are beginning to emerge along the creek.  

At Kate's house on the lake, just three miles away, there is no sign of green yet.

I got to spend several hours mowing and raking since we had the warmest day since Oct. 12!  

76 degrees!  It was fabulous, but it's not going to last.  The forecast for Quest is 52 degrees.  

On the corner of Forest and Barker Streets, stands one of the most beautiful magnolia trees.

I was so happy that book club met tonight at Kate's for great conversation with old friends.  It was a relief to escape from backpacking chores and parent phone calls.   We discussed the book The Husband's Secret which was about a man who kept a terrible secret for most of his life and when the secret is revealed, it unravels the lives of his family and several other families.    It prompted a rousing discussion.  

Day 858: Rose-breasted grosbeaks

We had to get up at 6:30 to go to Orchard Park for the Prius' checkup.  It was so hard to wake up and get moving that early.  I have never been a morning person and all those years of 5:50 am alarms were pure torture.  If I slept five or six hours a night, I was happy, but now that is simply not enough.

Once we got home from Silver Creek class, I paused at the window for a moment and spotted a beautiful rose-breasted grosbeak.  While I watched, three more landed on the ground beneath the bird feeder.

One girl dropped out of Quest today.  She seemed fine on Saturday, but her mother said she was tired and got a fever on Sunday.  Was the fever related to backpacking? I doubt it.  There was no point in arguing the point.  Why are parents surprised when the kids are tired?  Why don't they say that exercise is good for them and to suck it up?

Day 857: Goldfinches

Our days are filled with backpacking preparations as we get ready for the four day hike.  Over the past two days we have made prints of all the individual photos and 110 copies of the group photo, cleaned all the pots and frying pans and repacked them,  packed matches, hand sanitizer, pancake mix, brown sugar, spatulas and spices.

Add to that counseling parents and students, consulting with Sean and Mike, completing accident reports, revising instructions for the four day, making bus arrangements in Brocton, holding classes, trading equipment, verifying the busses for next Wednesday, adjusting cook and hike groups, repairing stoves, confirming the crew for the supply truck and finalizing picnic arrangements.  Two weeks from today, it will all be over and we'll have some free time!

Day 856: Tulip time

Many years ago I planted dozens of tulip bulbs in the front garden and around the yard.  As soon as they popped out in the spring, the deer would chomp them down to ground level and eventually they stopped emerging at all.  Except for two.  They tried desperately to produce flowers.  In one spring, they reached two or three inches, or maybe they stretched to six inches.  But no flowers.   Then today, I was shocked to find two stems topped with thick buds.  If the deer don't discover them, there's a chance they may actually bloom!

All over town, we encountered signs of early spring.  Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, azaleas, fruit trees.  We are so behind this year that there was no coverage for going potty this past weekend.

Central Ave. 

Fruit tree on Chestnut St.

Temple St.

May peace prevail on earth!

At the college

Front garden tulips - I hope they make it!

Day 855: Recovery

We had several new firsts over this two day hike.
We made copies of the adjusted roster at 11 am on Friday and a short time late we got a call from Amanda.  Her step daughter had a seizure at school and she had to go to the hospital.  Of course!  She was terrified and so upset.  We moved her group to hike with us because we also found out that morning that one of the hikers is on eleven medications!  We had to be certain she took all of those meds.

In the last hour on Saturday, Mike's group was hit by a double whammy.  One boy who had been struggling terribly because of a too-big pack experienced an asthma attack.  Fortunately, Sean was right there and the boy was prepared with his inhaler.  No doubt it was induced by the exertion from the long eight mile journey.  He has a big tummy and his hip belt will not stay on his hips, so all the weight of his pack pulls on his shoulders.  It was safer for Mike to send him out with Rick for the last mile.

The most unusual report came to us at the very end.  It seems that one of the 8th grade girls was wearing a naval ring and it got torn out by her hip belt.  Why on earth would any parent let a 13 year old girl get a naval piercing?  And why wear it on a backpacking trip?  Sean couldn't do anything but put a piece of gauze over the laceration.

Slippery, thick mud plagued the entire trip.  We skipped the descent into the gorge for the first time because of the dangerous conditions.  It's a shame because it's such a valuable experience for the kids, one they are unlikely to have opportunity to do again.  On the other hand, we had time to walk about eight miles so they got a sense of what the four day hike will be like.  All four groups reached the power line right of way off Glasgow Rd.  for the first time in many years.

By 4:20, we were driving out of the park!  Usually,  we have to wait around for parents to arrive.  In another hour, we were nearly unconscious with exhaustion.  Steve's knees and shoulders were killing him.  For me, it was a pounding headache and throbbing feet.  I don't think we've ever been so tired after a two day hike.  Of course, we started out tired and then didn't sleep over Friday night.  Usually, we are able to bounce back for the four day, and I hope that's the case this year, too.

Today was a whirl of laundry, cleaning and vacuuming.   Three loads of cook bags, one of gloves and one of stuff sacks for pots and pans.  Then I ran a cleaning solution through the machine to clean out all the mud before we did another five loads of our laundry.  While we were gone, Paddy spent the day and maybe the night,  outside under the shed. He came home filthy, just like us.  So of course, I had to wash the kitchen floor, too.  

Evan called this morning to tell us about his week.  He is so happy!  It is so gratifying to hear the joy and excitement in his voice and to know that now he has security.  Then, Colin called this evening to wish me a happy mother's day!  Although a little early,  it was wonderful to talk to two of our sons today.

Boot-sucking mud!

Brie and Chris

Couldn't do this without these folks!

Brigitte and Tyler

Find the boat on the spillway!

This devoted momma is still on her nest. I'll bet that by the time we return on May 17, the eggs will have hatched and the babies will have fledged.  

Day 854: Saturday of 2 day hike 2014

Throbbing feet, aching head, boot-sucking mud, beaver lodge, successful hike, totally exhausted.  Home by 4:30, in shower by 5 and in bed by 5:30.

Day 853: Friday of 2 Day Hike

Good day, lots of mud, late dinner, sick girls, no sleep.

Rick and I pose during a quiet moment at dinner