Day Trippin

I recently tagged along on a day business trip with Jim to Duluth which is about 2 1/2 hours north of Minneapolis. A pleasant drive on a beautiful morning, even if it was 0 darkhundred. 

Sunrise and ground fog over the MN countryside.

Duluth from the Skyline Pkwy

Duluth sits along the shoreline of Lake Superior whose largesse and beauty astound. The largest freshwater lake in the world it could contain all of the Great Lakes plus three additional lakes the size of Lake Erie.

Lake Superior from the harbor.

The craggy lake shoreline.

The landmark  aerial lift bridge built in 1905 spanning the harbor is only one of two in the world (the other is in France).

Aerial Lift Bridge

Driving along the 36 mile Skyline Parkway highlights included the Chester Bowls park and ski area including two very cool wooden ski jumps.

Ski jump complete with stairs!

I came across birders looking for eagles, hawks and other migratory birds that fly along the parkway on their way south for the winter because they won't fly across large bodies of water. Winter arrives early in northern MN, it was 32* with a hard frost when we arrived and the tourist attractions I wanted to visit were already on their winter weekend schedule for the season. A return visit is a must!

What it Takes

Here's what it takes to spend 35+ hours traveling from Martha's Vineyard to Minneapolis:

2 books: Silver Girl, World Without End
4 magazines: People, More, Elle, and Vogue
4 movies: Bridesmaids, Something Borrowed, Mother, Company Men
1 comfy pillow
earplugs
fuzzy socks
Advil PM
Pandora Radio

Interesting adventure, not sure of a repeat performance though.

What a Day for a Bike Ride

Bike Path

Kite Surfer on Sengekontacket

Nantucket Sound

Taking advantage of a perfect fall day in late September I set off for Oak Bluff, a 20 mile round trip bike ride. One reason I love this particular ride is that it snakes along the beach with beautiful vistas of Sengekontacket Pond on one side and the Nantucket Sound on the other.

Gingerbread Houses in OB

East Chop Light overlooking Nantucket Sound

It is the ride our family took on our first visit to the Vineyard in the summer of 1996. Although I had received email alerts that Steamship Authority boats were being diverted from OB to Vineyard Haven, it didn't register how windy it was until I had reached my destination of the East Chop Lighthouse and turned around to head home. 5 miles in and I was wishing I had some money to hop on the bus, bike and all. Battling a headwind the entire 10 miles, I made it back tired and sweaty.

One Day

What just happened?

One day we are at the beach soaking up the summer sun, sand and surf. The next day fallen leaves line the rain soaked streets.

One day the crowds bustle from store to store. The next day the streets are empty.

One day it is summer. The next day it is shoulder season.

I am looking forward to spending September on MVY; forging new territory. 

Wedding Mania Part 2: The Dress

This weekend was all about getting the details of the wedding hammered out - sort of an Engagement Retreat. We also took a walk down memory lane pulling out my wedding gown from 30 years ago. It was hermetically sealed, but it had been in the attic, down the basement and in my closet for so many years I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised upon the reveal that it was in perfect condition. Em was a good sport and tried it on for her old mother. What fun!

Deja Vu

Mother and daughters.

Wedding Mania Part 1: The Engagement

Hurricane Irene wasn't the only news last weekend — Emily and Kevin got engaged! Kevin had a lot of confidence asking me to assist with the surprise. Not only did I have to keep a secret, get her to the chosen venue, but I had to document the event with pictures! Luckily, I didn't disappoint!

Surprise!

 Grammie was also able to be present which made it that much more special. She was so happy she cried.

Happy tears.

Kevin thought of everything including Em's favorite champagne, Veuve Clicquot. We made it a family affair and toasted the newly engaged couple at Nell, Colleen's place of employment (she abstained of course). Only wish Melissa could have been present, but we've only just begun.

Happy family, missing Mel though.

 And so wedding mania commences. Stay tuned.....

The  newly engaged couple. 

Reunion 1979 - 2011

Arriving in DE, yippee!

I have never attended a high school or college reunion, but after spending two days with two friends from my early years in Boston, I see what all the fuss in about. Although Sherri Schaeffer nee Ciuffetelli, Patrice Dunn nee Bonsignore and I (Mary Murphy nee Kerrick) have different memories of the exact sequence of our time living together, and it was only in fact for about two years, our friendship has spanned 32 years to date, 3 weddings, and 9 children. Our best recollection of our last get together was about 20 years ago -- we had a LOT to catch up on. We ate, we talked, we drank, we talked,  we talked and talked and talked over good food, good wine, and beautiful accommodations. 

Outside Sherri's lovely abode.

Patrice and Sherri

What I learned: never underestimate the power of Christmas cards, Patrice loves puns, Scott is a great cook, CRS (can't remember s***), don't wait so long between reunions!

Sitting on the Amtrak Acela Boston bound train zooming along on a blue sky day smiling at the memories. Happy that I'm not in a car zooming along I-95.