The best laid plans . . . and all that jazz! My "plan" was to post, even when I wasn't traveling due to Jay's health - or lack thereof. Well, that didn't happen. After a biopsy at the Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano, several PET and/or CT scans, a ton and a half of doctors visits, and 30 days of radiation, we decided to take a trip!
As mentioned in a previous post, Jay got a new Lincoln MKS Black Label and since, at the middle of October, it didn't have 1,000 miles on it, we decided to drive it, ultimately to Vermont. As a side note, Jay wasn't in much of a condition to drive so I was the driver as well as the carter of all things luggage! Also, Jay's navigation system was a bugger to figure out [I should have gone to the dealership for a short lesson] so we used my Google Maps on my iPad [which Jay just couldn't deal with]. My stress level was HIGH!
We left on Friday, October 28 and made it to just west of Nashville, the little town of Dickson. We stopped at a Best Western which was adjacent to a Logan's Roadhouse so we didn't have to drive to grab dinner. The Best Western wasn't the "worst Western" [that was in Dewey Beach, Delaware a few years ago] but it sure wasn't very nice. Dinner at Logan's was all right, considering we were both pretty hungry and tired.
On Saturday, we headed east. We got to Lexington, Virginia after having stopped at a few hotels on the way only to be turned away. We made three hotel stops in Lexington and were turned away again. The cause was homecoming at Washington & Lee and it was somewhat of a big deal! At our fourth endeavor, we found a Wingate by Wyndam that had a room. Of course, it was overpriced but we were tired. We grabbed a quick bite at a place recommended - Kountry Kookin' and were surprised at how good it was. When we got back to our room, I checked the weather forecast for Wildwood but rain was predicted so I revised our route to NJ.
Sunday morning took us through Virginia and Pennsylvania, and finally, after a misstep putting us almost into Newark Airport, we got to The Hilton in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ. Even before we checked into the hotel, we grabbed up Vicki and went to the Chit Chat Diner for an early dinner. This was Jay's first experience with real diner food and he was amazed. We had a nice visit with Vicki but we were pretty tired so we checked into the hotel and got a good night's sleep.
On Monday, we'd planned to do a little running around but first we went to The Arena Diner where we had a huge NJ Diner Breakfast. Here's Jay enjoying his!
Yep, that's French Toast Jersey Style. After breakfast, we picked up Vicki and tooled around, showing Jay the area.
Several years ago, I met Dorean on a flight from Newark back to Dallas. She was going on to San Jose to meet up with her fella and we struck up a conversation that lasted the entire trip. Of course, we became Facebook friends and have gotten together for dinner or lunch every time I'm in NJ since we met. Unfortunately, our time in NJ was limited but she was gracious enough to come to our hotel and we caught up over a glass of wine. I could kick myself for neglecting to get a photo of us!
We'd asked nephew Dan and his bride, Kelly to have dinner with us but Kelly was getting ready for a teachers' conference. So we went to the Renaissance Hotel where Dan works to have a small chat. They've been going to VT for the last several years but weren't going to make it this year due to Kelly's teachers' conference which she'd missed the last few years due to the VT trip.
Dinner was at Bensi's which is one of Vicki's favorite restaurants in the area. And boy was it good! Vicki and Jay enjoyed their meals as did I. Vicki and I had the Shrimp Scampi and Jay had an excellent salmon.
One of the diners we didn't go to was The Bendix Diner which has been around for nearly a million years. I did grab a quick photo of it though. It's across the highway from Bensi's.
Since we're "of an age" we dropped Vicki at her home and we headed back to the hotel.
On Tuesday, Vicki picked us up and we had lunch at the Suburban Diner before heading up to Nyack and Piermont. The top photo is the old Tappan Zee Bridge alongside the new Tappan Zee Bridge which is still under construction. I think The Hudson River Valley is one of the most beautiful spots!
Dinner was at The Crow's Nest. Vicki picked us up and then we went off to fetch Lorraine! I'd not seen her in two years and missed her SO much. Now, The Crow's Nest has been a go-to place for many, many years and I'd never had a bad meal there - until this time! My "medium" steak was more than well-done and so was Lorraine's. Vicki's "rare" steak was medium plus. Jay's pasta alfredo dish was nearly inedible. Off the list for sure! Maybe it's under new ownership but whatever it was, it was B A D. Again, no photo of Lorraine! I need to be slapped!
On Wednesday morning, we headed to Vermont! We checked into the Best Western Plus in Waterbury. This covered bridge is on premises and I just LOVE it!
After a little while, Steve joined us with his broken arm! Of course, I knew nothing about this - he loves to surprise me! The previous Friday, his ceiling fan was squeaking so he decided to oil it. Small job so he didn't need a ladder!!!! Yep, the chair went out from under him resulting in a broken right arm. As it turned out, the fall really did a job on his radius and surgery was scheduled for November 7 to put in a plate and pins. Once again, no photo!
We had dinner reservations at The Hen of the Wood. Jim and Sue, Vicki, Pat, Steve, Jay and me. Dinner was terrific as always. And again, I neglected to take photos.
On Thursday, Vicki stayed in Stowe to wait for Matt, Carol and The Kids. Jim and Steve went to Hill Farmstead Brewery and lunch afterward. We all met at The Whip which is a great restaurant in the Green Mountain Inn. Sydney and Chris joined us from Massachusetts and we all had a great meal and a terrific time! I had THE most wonderful New England Corn Chowder as an appetizer and I now have the recipe! Of course, the recipe serves TWELVE so some neighbors will have to partake when I get around to making it.
Outside The Whip is a fire pit so Carol got the "fixin's" for s'mores.
Friday is Family Day at Jim and Sue's and as always, they did an excellent job of hosting! Sue made a fabulous brisket [I have the recipe], Vicki made a spectacular lasagne and cookies, pies were in abundance - all in all, a feast!
Sweet Sydney took this photo of Jay and me.
Laura's birthday is in February as is mine. I had been given an amethyst ring in another lifetime so I thought I'd pass it on to Laura. Do you think she likes it?
Vicki brought the game Speak Out and was it ever fun! Here's Vicki modeling the mouthpiece:
It's a crazy game and my sides hurt from laughing!
On Saturday morning, we awakened to a little dusting of snow.
After a quick breakfast, Steve, Jay and I headed to the new Alchemist in Stowe to get the requisite case of Heady Topper and other hoppy beverages! It doesn't open until 11:00 a.m. but we got there around 10:40 and people were carrying cases out so we got in and out in quick time. We were greeted by this hoppy vat. The line was short and we were gone!
We drove up to Burlington and planned to have lunch at the Farmhouse Grill but something must have been going on as the town was packed! And it was raining a bit! And Jay isn't able to walk too far. So, after a quick pass to show Jay Lake Champlain, we headed back to Waterbury and had lunch at The Reservoir. Greatness! My first time and hopefully, not my last.
Then, after a quick stop at the Cork, it was back up the mountain to Jim and Sue's to feast yet again. Vicki made pierogi and Matt grilled kielbasa Vicki had gotten in NJ at a Polish deli. Chris made a couple of pizzas. Groans of delight could be heard throughout the land!
All too soon, it was time to go back to the hotel and pack. My family means so much to me and I hate that we live so far away. I am thankful, however, that I get to see them at least once a year. Yes, we're planning to go to Vermont again next year but WE are NOT going to drive! So after many hugs, we left.
On Sunday morning, we drove through The Adirondacks and came upon two "snow moments." It was a beautiful drive but even though it was listed as THE FASTEST, it didn't seem that way. However, it must have been as we got to Erie, PA around 4 o'clock. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott and was it ever nice! Best bang for the buck on the entire trip! Of course, I got the "employee discount" as I'd mentioned to the desk clerk that my nephew works for Marriott! Another plus was that it had a restaurant inside the hotel and it was surprisingly great!
Our "plan" was to go back to Dallas through The Quad Cities and stay for a day or two. However, this Old Broad was borderline exhausted from all the driving, navigating and baggage handling. So, we decided to explore the unknown through Ohio, Kentucky and back to Nashville-ish. We might very well make a trip up to Iowa after the winter thaw.
Monday morning took us through Cleveland which, in my estimation, has the RUDEST drivers on earth! The rest of the drive back to Dickson, TN was on great roads. We didn't stay at Best Western but at Hampton Inn across the street at DOUBLE the price of the BW.
Got up on Tuesday morning, had a bite of breakfast and headed west! It rained a lot of the way but we got home just before 4:30 and were ever so glad to be there.
One of the things I noticed along the way was that I saw TWO Clinton signs and literally hundreds of TRUMP signs, especially in Pennsylvania. And of course, we know how that ended!
So until next time - whenever that might be - ciao for now!
