September 10, 2014

The Rooster Crows in Eden

As I mentioned in my previous blog we took a trip north and ventured the length of Seneca Lake. Sitting at the headwaters of the lake is the town of Geneva, NY.  Hobart and William Smith College is located in Geneva.  Elizabeth Blackwell, our nation’s first women doctor was a graduate of Hobart and William Smith, Geneva Medical College. Many other notable graduates have gone forward in leadership positions around the world. The campus is beautiful, large stately turn of the century homes along the lake serve as residences for some of the students. The atmosphere just shouts out, come here to learn. 

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell

Geneva, NY on Seneca Lake

Geneva's Row homes

Wine Vineyards prevail in the Lakes region.

We will have to make a return to the Lakes region and get to spend four or five days there. There is just so much to see and experience. 

Our trip into Canada was an adventure, a lot of traffic crossing the Rainbow Bridge into the country of our neighbors to the north. Once we arrived at the entrance gate we were greeted by a very polite Tattooed female customs officer. She asked the usual questions, purpose for going into Canada, carrying any weapons, how long we were staying. Upon completion she smiled, told us to enjoy our visit and we were on our way.

We traveled along the QEW, Queen Elizabeth Way, towards Hamilton and Toronto and took side jaunts along the way to sight see and visit a few wineries. One in particular was the 13’th Street Winery, St. Catharine’s, Ontario. I found it interesting that they are located at 1776 Fourth Ave.(Fourth of July and 1776 ?) And they call it the 13^th Street Winery. (13 Original colonies?) I never did ask anyone, was that the significance, I must do that some time.Our Sommelier was wonderful and kept us and the other guests well educated on their wine processes. We purchased a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay and a Riesling which we will share at our own tasting come cooler weather. Should you be venturing along the QEW one day, make the 13’th Street Winery one of your stops. They have a great gift shop where we purchased the most delicious Caramelized Onion Confit from Au Printemps Gormet, excellent. 

·  13th Street Winery

·  1776 Fourth Ave., St. Catharines, ON

·  Ontario, Canada L2S 0B9

·  Local Phone: 905.984.8463

·  Facsimile: 905.988.1384

After sightseeing in Burlington and Hamilton we started to head back east to Niagara Falls. Taking secondary roads this time. As we traveled along Lake Ontario we stumbled upon the Lake House Restaurant. This was another good stop where we enjoyed a fine late lunch. I had the Fish and Chips which were as tasty as they were picturesque. The chips were curled around the fish and then baked, awesome. www.lakehouserestaurant.com   This was another positive selective stop to enjoy Canadian hospitality.

The trip back into the United States was less than pleasant. Traffic was horrendous and once again we had to cross the Rainbow Bridge. We were in line for just over an hour until we approached the gate and a miserable U.S. Homeland Security representative. All in all I can only say, he was just a miserable person and a horrible representative for anyone crossing the border. It was not a moment of pride. We were held up several minutes prior to our interrogation as this individual was just starting his shift. God help those who came after us.

We spent the night, our second, at the Towne Place Suites (Marriott), Buffalo Airport. We had a wonderful stay and highly recommend this hotel.

On the way home we strayed to Lancaster, PA, a longtime favorite place to visit. We just cruised the area taking in the gorgeous farm country, neat and tiny farm houses and felt an appreciation for these hard working Amish people. We had a late lunch once again enjoying Lone Star Steakhouse steaks.

We were up early on our last day on the road and went on a nostalgic trip home. We took to back roads from Lancaster to the Maryland line onto route 40 in Northeast, MD. We headed south over the Susquehanna into Havre de Grace. Our second daughter Sarah was born in this town a few years back. We walked the streets for a bit and took a respite overlooking the Marina on Chesapeake Bay. It was nice remembering days gone by and what was what in the late 60’s.

We then ventured on south via route 40, crossed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, Mr. Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner for you non history people. Also starting today in Baltimore is The Star Spangled Celebration.

 After a nice stop for lunch at the Crab Deck on Kent Island we continued on home to our dog, cat and chickens.As always, it was good to be home.

Where in the World? / The Berthiaumes.

At the moment Jeff and Kathy are at the local yacht club participating in a Poker Run. Jeff will be departing for Barbados in the morning. I really think December through March would be a much better time to make that trip. I’m sure Jeff will endure while at the embassy.

Jeff and Kathy now have an apartment in the Curtis Bay section of Baltimore to flop in when they are across the bridge. They even have a little dock to hang their feet over to distress.

The last I spoke to Abby she was leaving an SEC football game early due to the heat. Perhaps Maine or Vermont should have been chosen for a school of learning. Congratulations to Abby on her recent 18’th Birthday. Granny sent her a couple of Shoo Fly Pies for the event. Two missing pieces were due to a taste test by Granny and I.

When all are gone we kind of look after the dog (Liberty), Cat and the fish.

One of Jeff's co-workers from the State Department, Matt Luck, is an avid fisherman. This year he was a mate on a boat entered in the Ocean City White Marlin Tournament. Matt shares pictures from all over the world while traveling for his job. Quite often Matt will go fishing in a foreign land and he will share his fishing exploits through photo's.

Matt at the Marlin tournament, unfortunately not a Money Fi$h. Love your pictures Matt, keep them coming.

 

The Davies

Most of you have heard by now that Sam, Zed and the girls will be relocating to Oklahoma come November. So you can keep up with them, I’m adding a link to their blog. Their blog is titled Cowboy Boots, Combat Boots and Baby Boots and can be found at sz2937.blogspot.com  In case you’re wondering S for Sam, Z for Zed, 29 was Sam’s squadron at USAFA and 37 was Zed’s. Check out their blog, say hi and keep up with defenders of our country. Thanks for your service Sam and Zed.

The Palmers

This week Sarah flew out to Orange County California once again for Phillips Seafood. She seems to be racking up the Frequent Flier miles of late. Tommy is busy with settling into tenth grade and playing on the Soccer Team. His school, The Salisbury School has it’s own site. September 10 Salisbury will play soccer against it’s arch rival, Worcester Prep. Rachael does some house sitting and child care in addition to subbing at The Salisbury School. while she awaits a reply from job applications. Granny and I provide a few meals on wheels for Tommy and Rachael from time to time when Sarah’s out of town, it keeps us old folks moving. 

The Connecticut Fiddler’s

Beth’s sister Melissa and her husband Greg just put on a backyard wedding for their oldest daughter Kala. The entire family has been preoccupied with that event for the past few weeks. I’m going to get the kids to do a little post for me to include in the blog. I’d really like them to be a part of sharing what's going on. Do you hear that David, Kevin, Jillian and Rebecca?

The Alaska Connection

  
We have a nephew from the Romspert side of the family and a niece from the Fiddler side living in Alaska. Our nephew John Michael Romspert, a Captain in the Alaska National Guard and his family live in Anchorage. John’s wife Rebecca and daughters Casey and Reese reside there with them.

John and Rebecca

My sister Donna’s daughter, Sue Zimmerman lives in Soldotna with her husband Joe.  Soldotna is about two hours south of Anchorage on the Kenai Peninsula. Sue’s son Johnny and his girlfriend Maile are presently residing with Sue and Joe.

Johnny and Maile with a recent catch of Halibut.

Eden /Allen

The past year has been a busy and sad one for our little town of Allen’s Methodist Church community. Six members of the church flock have passed away over the year. Two groups, the Allen Methodist Women and the Allen Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary jointly prepare and serve meals for the gathering of the families and the community after funerals. 

It is amazing to watch this tiny little Eastern Shore community bond together, providing food dishes and preparation for the post funeral events. Tables are set, flowers placed, food served and cleanup accomplished much like a choreographed caterers business. In addition to the funerals, the regular Lion’s Club meetings and County Fire Association meetings are carried out with coordinated precision.

This same group of women can be found in our local firehouse earning money for the Fire Company by selling food on Presidential Election Day. Homemade Vegetable soup, Hot Dogs, Chicken Salad sandwiches and homemade baked goods.

We'd like to say congratulations to our old friends Mike and Nancy Krause on gaining three new grandchildren. Their daughter Kristin and her husband Jeff Phoenix became the parents through a lengthy adoption process of three beautiful girls. 

The proud grandparents and parents with sisters Shianne, Chelsea and Savannah.

This past weekend we had a great Crab Feast at our home courtesy of our friends, the O’Leary’s. It seems they won a bushel of crabs at some fund raising event and said they would like to have us for dinner – at our house. Having a large yard and patio to host such a gathering, we were delighted that they shared their winnings with us. In addition to crabs we had fried chicken, Beans for Eighteen and everyone’s beverage of choice. We consider the O’Leary family an extension of our own. Edmund is a native of Kilkenney, Ireland. We shall refer to it as an O’Fiddler and O’Leary event .It was a wonderfully joyous evening for 14 well fed people. And I must thank the rain God’s, who held back the rains until cleanup was complete. And might I add, those Maryland Blue Crabs were delicious.

Some of the crew enjoying the fruit of the Bay.

 On Friday past Mary Agnes and I joined all at Sarah’s condo on the river to watch the practice by the Waterman in their boats for Saturday’s Boat Docking at Brew River Pub. Brew River is just across the river from Sarah. Our vantage point was such that we could almost reach out and touch the boats. If you’ve never seen a Watermen’s Boat Docking contest, add it to your bucket list, it’s a great event. A much more exciting event than a Tractor Pull.

Chatting with the participants from the condo deck.

Lastly, today I go back to school once again and take a creative writing class at our local community college. The pool I’ve been taking care of at the local club for the past ten years is now closed so I have some time on my hands. I've officially retired as a Pool Boy.  I also have a house sitting gig coming up in two weeks to keep me busy. Come November I’m planning a trip to Mississippi to drive one of the Davie's vehicle’s to Oklahoma. A busy few months are coming up. What keeps you busy, keeps you going. Who said that?

I hope this finds all of you out there in readership land well. Until the next time,

Semper Fi,   Lee