Catching up...

We have been remiss in our blogging, and it's time to do a quick catch-up. I'll to apologize in advance because I am doing this on my iPad and don't have the photo file here. I'll add photos later...

Last Monday (9/16) we drove from Gloucester to Rutland, MA, about 40 miles west of  Boston.

On the way, we passed the Minuteman Memorial Park at Lexington, MA, where the American Revolutionary War basically began. The Visitors' Center was very impressive, and the multimedia presentation truly brought the colonial militia (the Minutemen) and the British soldiers to life right before our eyes. They traced the events leading up to "the shot heard around the world", and the skirmishes that led to the battle, and the war. It was very moving and sobering.

Stacy's niece, Briar, and her husband, Gus, and their two lovely children, Niko and Maya, moved to Rutland from San Diego a couple of years ago and seem to LOVE it! They graciously allowed us to park Irv in their driveway, and to park ourselves in their guest room. They live in a nearly 200-year-old house, situated on a acre backing up into the trees. (Note: This is woods, NOT the forest! The difference is the woods have a lot more trees... and BEARS! Per Niko, age 5)

We all went apple picking, took a long walk in the woods (no bears) and had a wonderful time. They even have chickens!!! (For Karen...) It was a great visit .

Wednesday we flew from Logan Airport in Boston to Portland. THAT is a long flight! Jack  had some business there, we wanted to see Henry, Little Lucy, and baby Hardy (oh and their parents of course) and check on our cat, Jack. Oh, and we each had (routine) doctors appointments.

Jack-the-Cat stayed at our house and is being looked after by our wonderful renters, the Hernandezes. We stopped by the house and could see where Jack eats and sleeps outside, but he did not grace us with an appearance. By all reports, though, he is doing well. We wish we had had the time to see more friends, but for some reason we only allowed ourselves one week in Portland to cover 3 "pods" of family members in 3 states.

On Friday, Stacy took the train up to Seattle to spend the weekend with Evan, her 25-year-old daughter. Jack stayed behind to attend our friend's son's wedding.

Stacy and Evan got pedicures, did some shopping, decorated Evan's new apartment a bit, took the dog to the lake, and just had girl time together.

Jack hung out with Thomas, Henry and Lucy....and will take the train up to Seattle today.

There! At least we are caught up...tomorrow we fly to the SF Bay Area to visit Stacy's mom for a couple days...then we fly " home" to Irv on Thursday. Our fifth wheel is truly feeling like home now.
More later...and PICTURES!