Day 52: Home Again

A long day on the train transported us from sunny NYC to cold, rainy Fredonia after a wonderful weekend.  

Day 51: Sleep No More

At long last we experienced Sleep No More!  It's an interactive, athletic, dance-oriented, Albee-esque, film noir version of MacBeth.  We were transported back to a 1930's night club where we donned our masks and were immediately immersed in the surreal world of Sleep No More.  For three hours we followed the characters through the maze of the McKittrick Hotel as they cycled through the play three times.  In each cycle we chased different characters to view another scene and see the action from a new perspective.  It was an incredible experience!

Our visit to NYC was filled with long walks and talks with our sons and April as well as brand new adventures.  It was difficult to leave them because we know it will be months before we see them again.

Day 50: Sunday in NYC

After sleeping in late, we strolled through St. Nicholas Park and stopped to view Alexander Hamilton's home which is about two blocks away from Evan's apartment.  In early afternoon, we visited the Jewish Museum to see an exhibition called The Radical Camera: New York's Photo League. It included photos of city life during the 1930's and 1940's.  Then we met Justin at the West Fourth St. subway exit and had lunch at the Bone Lick Barbecue restaurant in the West Village.  We must have walked six or seven miles through the city today from Central Park, along the Eastside, between subway stations, through Greenwich Village and into Soho.

The temperature dropped as soon as the sun went down so we spent an hour sipping hot chocolate at Cafe Mocha.  Evan, Colin and April met us for dinner at the Loreley Restaurant and Rheinkeller for German food.  Our restaurant choices were excellent today and we enjoyed every bite!  How wonderful that the six of us could be together for a few hours!

Day 49: Saturday in Central Park

It was a glorious day to spend in Central Park!  Walking for hours, I found myself photographing wildlife and nature scenes just like I do at home.  Daffodils and snow drops were blooming in sunny spots, while squirrels and cardinals rustled in the leaves looking for a meal.  We wound through the park path maze to the south end and finished up in Columbus Circle.   In the Time Warner Center we battled crowds in the Whole Foods Store to get a snack.  It was crazy busy and confusing, but the food was delicious.  We're not likely to try it again soon.

Day 48: Amtrak Adventures

I've been craving an adventure and finally we could escape Fredonia.  Eight and a half hours on the train, much of it along the Hudson, delivered us to NYC.  Our sons are thriving here where there are immense opportunities and cultural advantages.   We miss our sons and April so much that we could not wait to arrive.  Eating Thai food and exploring the city is fun and invigorating, but being surrounded by so many people and so little green make the city unpalatable for me after just a few days. 

Day 47: Quest class #2

We were so busy today that I didn't have time to take any decent photos. After a trip to Buffalo for a doctor's appointment, we had our second backpacking class and then rehearsal.  I tried to get all the packing done yesterday, but did not succeed, as usual.

Expedition behavior was the topic and the student leaders did a terrific job conducting discussions on the different scenarios that will challenge the hikers.

Day 46: Interviewees

Brianna interviewed Steve and Michaela interviewed me for the project that I developed nearly twenty years ago.  Their storyboards were beautifully prepared and we enjoyed viewing all the displays created by the sophomores.  I love the project because it brings members of the community together.  We read about the experiences of friends, neighbors and former students who have had transformative adventures around the world.