Land of Lincoln

We washed off the car trip by a nice time at the pool and whirlpool. We woke up in the morning and decided to start touring Gettysburg.


We started off by going to a little museum about the civil war. There were some artifacts of other wars in it, but it was mostly Civil War based.


Then we toured the Union side of the battlefield and read signs about the battles here.


After that we went up a tower that 117 steps tall (according to Keely) to see the Confederates side and some of the Union side.


After that we were pretty exhausted so piled into the car and we were on the road again. We had to leave Gettysburg, PA to head off on our final leg of the journey home.

And time to leave

Friday was beautiful again and a little teary. Not sure when we'll see the old family cottage again. It was a wonderful vacation. Todd and family were headed to D.C., us to Gettysburg, and grandparents to Rochester.


Odd thing was 90 minutes in Williamsport we stop for gas and run into Todd and family!


Detour to Hershey made leaving a bit easier. Chocolate World was a racket but the history center was great. Amazing man!

Gettysburg here we come!

And time to leave

Friday was beautiful again and a little teary. Not sure when we'll see the old family cottage again. It was a wonderful vacation. Todd and family were headed to D.C., us to Gettysburg, and grandparents to Rochester.


Odd thing was 90 minutes in Williamsport we stop for gas and run into Todd and family!


Detour to Hershey made leaving a bit easier. Chocolate World was a racket but the history center was great. Amazing man!

Gettysburg here we come!

Last full day and momentous feats

A gorgeous day greeted us on Thursday. Lazy morning followed by a super long walk up Brown's Hill Road and down country roads led to something epic. Lunch.

Well lunch wasn't the epic part really. Wendy wanted to swim across Keuka Lake.

The kids decided to accept the challenge - with swim vests.
Does it look that far? Does to me. That's why I followed in a rowboat.

They started strong and the wins seemed to die down while the sun shone brighter. Inverary faded into the distance.

30 minutes later and success was tasted! Followed it up with some sweet treats at Olney's before rowing back.



Sleeping was no problem this night - especially after frozen custard at Seneca Farms.

Early morning and not so late night

Brain woke me early yesterday so I was up just after sunrise. Thought I'd take the kayak and paddle across the lake to Olney's store. Wendy said it was cute. View of Inverary from the water in the morning ain't bad either.






Got back and Wendy had just returned from a run and said we needed cream so into the boat we jumped back to Olney's. Quite nice having a little store just across the lake. Of course they had fresh cinnamon rolls...




Dinner came via Lynn Neville from Rochester. A clam bake was on the menu.






The kids helped clean up by rowing the clam shells out to the center of the lake.


Too much sun, fun, or clams meant early bedtime for us.

Rain, rain go away

Woke to rain yesterday. That and the fact that we've been on the road for a week now meant it was a good day to do laundry. That means the laundromat in Penn Tan. Didn't get a pic unfortunately. Kids saw our college selves and learned how challenging laundry can be (and how machines eat your quarters).

By the time we were done, the Sun was out. We bought shrimp and grits fixings for dinner then hit the road.

Went to Hunt Club winery with Ed and Linda for some tasty grape juice. Afterwards Bakers headed south to lunch at Lakeside and ice cream in Hammondsport. Found this weird barn that reminded us of the Trolley Barn in Atlanta.




Ultimate goal was Bully Hill Vineyards. Views were breathtaking and grape juice even tastier.






Late night charades capped an eventful day.

After the rain

So there are no pix of the wine tour Wendy, Todd, Rhonda, and Ed took yesterday - or the Keuka lake brewery tour Boyd enjoyed. The rain was substantial. Today was gorgeous with Nancy and Steven taking the boat for a ride and getting stranded, Boyd and the cousins rowing across the lake (after family to the boat across to Olney's).





Afterwards Wendy and I had amazing luck at 2 local breweries.





Then the lake baths and smores began.

Water's fine

C'mon in! The lake is cool and refreshing.

So we made it to Yates County Fair and the demolition derby and rides.






You have to ask us to get the real story. Funnel cakes and wife beaters were the least interesting aspects of the event.

Relaxing and remembering

Fish fry at the Waterside was tasty. Wish we could have boated over.

Almost a full moon was incredible last night. New neighbors next door had a fire and inspired us. They're really nice folks.


Great night's sleep and then wildflower picking (which Wendy's been talking about for weeks - especially sweetpeas).

Boat should be here soon!

Hail, hail, the gang's all here

3p and we're all here.

Made it!

Left Horseheads this morning and made it in just over an hour.



Turns out we were the first ones here and lucky to catch Uncle Jim, Linda's brother, at Inverary getting the house ready.


Picnic by the lake, a cold pop, and a gorgeous day are not a bad start to this family gathering. Chaos will arrive soon enough as everyone arrives in time for tonight's fish fry!