Pennsylvania

Continuing our drive, we stopped at another science museum in PA and then we just had to visit the Martin guitar factory. No, we didn't take the tour--that would have been too much for Scotty--but we did go in looking for a gift for Chris, who loves his Martin.

We came out with something we hadn't expected--more on that at a later date.



So cute I just had to do an over-the-shoulder snapshot while driving.

Forging ahead

Despite our great time at the beach, there continued to be circumstances that led us to believe that it would be better to part ways with Beth and Emma for a while. The gals headed North for Vermont while we headed Northwest for New York State. First we stopped in Philadelphia to visit the Franklin Institute. No, we didn't see the King Tut exhibit, but we did find fun things for both kids there.

We love the beach

After NYC we were delighted to reunite with Danielle and her kids at Jim's parents' beach house in Ocean Grove. It was a lovely house with plenty of room for all of us and lots of toys for the kids. You could tell that Jim's folks were experienced grandparents!

And of course we had experienced nothing but hot weather the entire trip--until we got to the beach. Our first day was quite blustery but that didn't slow the kids down at all. Over the next two days we enjoyed wonderful food, great company, delicious wine, and a gradually warming beach (I hear it got quite warm the day after we left). I think the photos say it better than I can:

New York City!

Well, sort of.

After the Hagley we drove the next day to Ocean Grove NJ and left our car there with Danielle's in-laws. Then we took a train to NYC to meet up again with Beth and Emma who had already been there a few days.



Here we are outside of Penn Station at Madison Square Garden. Beth and Emma met us here and together we walked the seven blocks to their hotel.




Unfortunately that walk was pretty much all we saw of the city. Scotty was in no mood for sightseeing and we needed to leave the city early the next afternoon so we could avoid rush hour since we were riding back to the beach with Beth in her car.

I did manage to get out to a real NY deli so that night I stayed in the hotel with my guys, a bottle of wine, and great deli food while Beth and Emma went to a broadway show. Here's my spread:



The next morning we visited the same deli for breakfast.




Then we waited a while in the hotel lobby for the car, hopped in, and left. Beth expertly navigated the car through the city, I got claustrophobic in the Holland tunnel, and we got just a glimpse of Lady Liberty on our way out of town. That, my friends, was my one and only ever visit to NYC.

Wilmington DE

We tore ourselves away from Danielle's farm and drove to Wilmington to visit the Hagley Museum. This museum features old buildings and machinery from the DuPont powder mill located on the Brandywine river. When Scotty was just a few months old Chris and I visited here and baby Scotty was already fascinated by the steam engine, wheels, and authentic machine shop with all its spinning pulleys and belts. He was no less fascinated this time, although sadly we arrived too late to watch the steam engine run.

I have touched the earth!

For several years I have been inspired and awed by my friend Danielle and her family at Touch the Earth Farm in Maryland. On this trip I finally had a chance to see them in action! After Raleigh we drove to the farm, taking a lovely route through Richmond and avoiding the DC area. We had originally planned to see DC but we were beginning a post-conference cold and still dealing with overwhelm so we skipped it.

We arrived at the farm and the first thing I did was to get out of the car and touch the earth. Danielle thought I was making fun of her, but the truth is that I did it with the utmost reverence for a place and a family that have been such a source of inspiration for so many. Soon I had a cold beer and a vine ripened tomato and was giddy with happiness. The kids all settled in with each other pretty well too and my gang was thrilled with everything the farm and house had to offer. Beth and Emma joined us later that evening and we had a great time catching up after separating after the conference.




Here are some photos that Danielle's daughter Emily took with my camera while we were touring the farm.




Scotty was in poultry heaven and took great comfort in visiting with the chicks, chickens, and turkeys. He and Sam generally got along very well.





I think we might be getting some turkeys soon--the boy really loved them.



Lovely Tamworth pigs. Also on our list for possible additions to our farm.



Although there were some rough spots with the boys, for the most part everyone had a fantastic time. There's nothing like a half dozen homeschooled kids doing their thing!




Thanks so much to Danielle, Jim, and the kids for giving us one of the absolute highlights of our trip, some great company, and incredibly delicious farm food.

Old friends in Raleigh

After the conference we dropped Chris at the airport in Charlotte and drove on to Raleigh where we stayed with my college friend Elysha, her husband Dan, and their little girl. It was great to see them again!



On our second day there we visited a science museum in Durham. One thing I really liked about this museum was the lighting there. I played around using available light and got some good shots.