Frankenstorm October 2012

On Sunday, we'd planned on having breakfast with the family but due to "Sandy" we decided to head back to Hackensack.  Steve received a call from United canceling his DC to Dallas leg.  He tried to call and change reservations but decided it would be quicker to go to Burlington International Airport for a face to face.  We dropped him off and less than 30 minutes later, he texted me and said there was nothing going out of BIA until Tuesday.  He said he was going to rent a car and settle in.

Vicki and I continued south and stopped in Rutland and got a case of water and a loaf of bread.  It's lucky we did as when Vicki went to the grocery store after we got home, the cupboards were bare.

We both awoke early on Monday [today] and sat in front of the TV watching local stations until she had to go to work - Lakeshore Learning Store.  Surprisingly, it was open but finally closed around 2:00.  I was glued to TV, taking time out for a quick shower while there's still hot water.

Right now, I've got a stew bubbling on the stove and so far power is still on, though I've been losing internet connection intermittently.  Sandy is about 150 miles southeast of Atlantic City right now [3:15pm] and the wind is absolutely fierce!  Little rain at this point but it's several hours away.

My flight has been changed from Wednesday to Friday and hopefully, I'll be able to make it back to Dallas without too much more chaos!

Hope all family and friends in Sandy's path are safe, dry and warm.

October 27, 2012

After a stop at Jim and Sue's to wish Chris and Sydney a fond farewell, we went for another walk.  This time it was paved, flat and in Stowe.  We were able to walk to The Rusty Nail where we sat outside and enjoyed burgers, etc.

Jim, Pat, Sue, Chris and Sydney

Matt, Carol, Vicki, Laura and Josh

Outside The Rusty Nail [Duck Fat Fries] in Stowe

Carol, Pat and Sue

Jim, Matt and Steve

Laura and Josh 

October 26, 2012 at The Markleys

After that wonderful walk at Shelburne Farm, we all assembled at Jim and Sue's.  I'm not going to go into great detail.  Suffice to say, we had a blast!  Chris just got engaged to Sydney a few weeks ago and made some spectacular pizza as an appeteaser!

Steve, enjoying a Heady Topper.

Laura, enjoying my iPhone.

Chris and Sydney, newly engaged and adorable!

Pre-Halloween Laura

"I LOVE Chris' pizza!"

Yes, I bought them teeth this year!

The Monsters attack Steve!

Here, Sydney and Carol chat and cheese!

Laura, should you really have that wine?

Vicki and Jim - the BEST!!!

Josh looking in from the porch.

Josh and his dad, Matt, enjoying a brew!

Carol, Matt and Steve!

Laura likes pumpkin ice cream!

Josh likes pumpkin ice cream!

Matt has a big mouth!

Josh HATES it when Steve hangs him from the ceiling!

He hates it so much, he BEGS "again" - "again" - "again."  Steve got a great workout.

More fun on the menu for Saturday!

October 26, 2012 Shelburne Farm

In Waterbury, the sky was blue but just 25 miles away in Shelburne, it was overcast.  It's on Lake Champlain, so I guess that's why.  Shelburne Farm is beautiful.  Fortunately, it was closed for the season.  I say fortunately because it was free.  To walk around the farm and ground is 4.5 miles and The Little People complained not one time!  Here are some photos.

Tapping for maple syrup!

After the 4.5 mile hike, Jim and Sue headed to Burlington; Matt, Carol and the kids headed back to the hotel for a rest; and Vicki, Steve and I headed up to Mount Philo but it was closed to cars and after our walk, we weren't quite eager to hike up a mountain to see the view!  So we drove by the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, but didn't go in as time was getting away from us.  SO much to do here!