Norton, Ma

We drove from Elske's to Essex, VT by way of many back
roads. It was a lovely drive and we had a great time, just
wandering. We stopped in Waterbury, VT at the
Green Mountain Coffee company outlet and, of course
I had to buy some coffee. We also stopped at Ben and
Jerry's and we both bought ice cream. The factory
tour was booked for the next hour so we decided we
could forego that.

We arrived in Essex later than planned and, as always it
seems, more tired than planned. For me it was partly
because I had a slight catastrophe. We were taking
a walk at our lunch stop, along a small river. Robert
as his wont hopped across from stone to stone with no
problem. I toyed with the idea of returning to the car,
since we had just started out, to get my walking stick.
I did not however and as I tried to emulate Robert I
lost my balance and fell flat on my face. I now look
like an abuse victim with a knot on my forehead and
a big bruise on my jaw. I have cuts and bruises in
all sorts of places, but thank goodness, nothing serious.
I was, of course, furious and felt stupid, but that didn't
change anything. I'm still sore today, but not bad all
things considered. I didn't break a rib nor a hip nor
an arm nor anything else and I didn't hit my head
hard enough to jolt my brain.

Before we arrived in Essex we were looking
for a place to stay that wouldn't be too far
from Renee's new place. I spotted "The Inn at
Essex." It was also the site of the New England
Culinary Institute. I knew it would be expensive
and probably outrageous, but it was within a
couple of miles of the Stapleton residence and I
was very tired. I booked us in at a cost of slightly
less than $200.00, a new high. The room was
lovely, but not 2 times more lovely than any
previous room. But the bed was VERY comfortable.

After we checked in, cleaned up a bit, we drove to
Renee's. Jonathan, the kids and Myrna were there
and Renee arrived shortly thereafter.

Their property is absolutely fantastic. They have 8
acres, about an acre of grass, I would estimate. The
rest is wooded and backs up to protected land. That
is there are two properties between them and public
land, but the two properties have no right of ways
to their land. The assumption is they'll never be
developed.

The house is lovely and, of course, they have many
plans for paint here and a change there and an addition
that has been designed for Myrna's apartment. That
will be a lovely place for her and clearly, she is imprinted
on the kids such that she is a second mom/dad.

Renee is too thin and obviously stressed from the move,
the new job and everything else, but looks wonderful.
Jon is such an interesting guy you can't help but love him.
I envy Myrna being such a part of their lives and being so
close to her grand kids.

Walker and Robert linked up immediately. We had brought
Lincoln Logs for him and he and Robert went to work. Although
after a bit Robert said he'd go a way and be surprised when
Walked finished and showed him what he had done.

Emmerson looks so much like Ryan with her curly blond hair
to start with, but everything else. I suppose Jeanne would
see that she was quite different, but not having seen a lot
of Ryan at that age I couldn't help but think they were
more alike than I had ever seen two people be, especially
considering Emmy is female and Ryan is male.

We had a great dinner with the family of grilled salmon and
fresh corn, salad, bread and strawberries and ice cream for
dessert.

Emmy does not eat meat or fish. She loves to eat, but NOT
meat or fish. Myrna said that if she has a tuna fish salad she'll
carefully spit out any tuna fish, but eat the rest!

Renee kindly did our laundry for us, but after it was done I
realized my muddy clothes from the fall in the creek were
still in the car. She agreed to wash them and we picked
them up in the morning.

After checking out of the Inn we picked up my clean slacks
and shirt and headed towards Boston. As we approached
Boston I made the wrong call and we ended up on the
large loop around Boston (I-495) which took us way, way
around Boston. Perhaps 100 miles further than needed!
Duh!

We finally arrived here, half way between the Cape
and Boston where we have checked in for two days.
It is called Extended Stay America and is a chain.
It is designed for workers assigned away from home
and needing a place for a week or a month. It's not
very cheap by the day, but not bad and we have
a kitchen!

After we checked in, and moved in we bought
enough groceries for dinner and breakfast tomorrow.
Yea...we don't have to go out tonight!

Tomorrow we'll pick up Patricia and Thomas at
Logan Airport at 2:40 PM. We've reserved them
a room here, too. That way, we only have to
have all their luggage and ours for the brief
period Monday when we drive to the Cape to
start our tour. The host here has said we
can leave stuff here on Monday after we
check out so we can do so touring before we
go to the cape. Our tour doesn't start until
5 PM on Monday, the 24th.

We hope to do some sight seeing with
Patricia and Thomas on Monday. Probably
we'll go to Leiscester where Patricia and
Robert grew up.

So, there you have it for now.

I regret not having taken pictures of the
Stapletons, but didn't.