Hazy and Warm on Lake Chautauqua

Breakfast Al Fresco

Well, back to the routine, awake around 4:00, up at 6:00, open the windows so I can hear the birds, turn on NPR, too much static, switch to Sirius and Morning Joe, and settle down with coffee, my AirMac and two old newspapers.  It's supposed to be around 88 today, with possibilities of thunderstorms, but at the moment, it's 67 outside.  We better get our work done in the morning, if we want to do anything arduous like get more gravel.  Fortunately, the lake level is down but our yard is still soggy and puddles still fill Leonard's side yard though we only had a half inch of rain since we left last Thursday.

We had a great visit with Claire and Henry though it was short. There home, pool, woods, outdoor bar make it so pleasant and enjoyable to spend time with them.  It's really beautiful at all times of the day and I was up and outside having my coffee yesterday morning, enjoying the sunrise. They are great hosts, took care of our every need, and we had a good time visiting, catching up on their lives and those of their kids.  Scott is struggling to make it in the world of video media though he has some possibilities on the line.  It's a tough field.  And David seems really happy working with Henry, a perfect job for a young guy, traveling the world, living in an apartment in Hoboken, just twenty minutes from his office.  He was on the road when we were there, which seems usual for him.  Henry thinks he's a natural for this job and I know how charming he can be and competent.  It's nice to see kids doing well.

Relaxing by the Pool

We left yesterday about 9:30, to warnings about the traffic.  It was unbelieveable on the 495 which takes you to NYC, all three major lines were backed up and hardly moving for at least ten miles if not more,  Luckily, Henry told us about the HOV lanes, and we were abe to sail past most of the traffic until we got to the Cross Island Expressway, when the HOV lanes ended and we had to get back in traffic.  We edged along for about 20 minutes before things opened up and we headed to NYC.  Unfortunatley, the GPS directed us through the city, not across the Tappan Zee, so we ended up on the Bronx Freeway I think, eventually hitting Interstate 80, which took us to PA, eventually sending us up # 81 to Scranton and Binghamton, where we got on #86 for Chautauqua.  I think it was longer then if I had taken 95 to 287 through White Plains, eventually hitting #87 north to #86, my usual way.  It was a long trip as we didn't get home till about 6:30, the major reason being a detour of about an extra 45 minutes around Salamanca, as they are redoing the road and sent you on backroads, not a very pleasant way to end your trip.  But it was good to get home, as always, though we had a great stay with the Albarrans and Kartageners.