The Heat of the Summer

It took me awhile to get through "Next Year in Havana" but thanks to some insomnia, I was able to read on in the wee hours of the full moon Thursday. Bill asked me if the book made me want to visit Cuba. My answer: No. Although, I enjoyed the historical fiction and multigenerational romances spanning the 1950's to 2017, the country still seems kind of depressing. Beautiful but depressing. 

And speaking of depressing, instead of hiking mountains in cooler climes, we are back in Marco waiting out Covid-delayed parts and service for our Sprinter van. A major malfunction in the solar energy component has mechanics baffled. We high-tailed it down I-95, with drama-packed weather, to be back for Will's 27th birthday. I was thankful not to have to miss the first 9/2 celebration in his life. 

Despite the van woes, our fun getaway to the NJ Shore was packed with exercise and relaxation. Long Beach Island is a great place for long bike rides and walks. Cyclists and pedestrians own the beach roads. We even enjoyed some responsible Covid-era socializing with immediate family and friends. It was great to see a couple of Lapland ladies, too, while in NJ. 

Back in New Jersey

It’s mid-August already and we find ourselves at the NJ Shore. Long Beach Island (LBI) is currently home to a family reunion, some fun in the sun and good vibes for a couple of weeks. We drove the camper van up. Will drove the Audi up. Ally, Paul, Chris and others will make cameo appearances while we’re here. It’s nice to be out of our routine in FL. As expected, the Covid situation is a little more intense in NJ. All restaurants are closed for indoor dining, but creative outdoor venues have popped up. It’s good to be back!

Sunday Funday with NJ Family

The only time I left the house on Sunday was to watch the Epp boys throw footballs in the yard, pump up tires, fly wooden airplanes and enjoy the balmy temps in the fifties. Two of the Shore Rogers family drove up for dinner. It was great to see Chris and Devin. We had fun cooking together and shooting some basement pool on our beautiful billiard table from the Vineyard house.

Devin, Bill, Kat, Ally Paul and Chris

*minor update, revisions and technical difficulties 5:17 pm*

Quality Family Time in NJ

An Uber picked us up at the Moxy Hotel on Ann St. for a schlepp-free, hour-plus journey to Allendale NJ. The boys were excited to take us to their favorite restaurant Friday night: Mt. Fuji Japanese Steak House in Hillburn. It was similar to Benihana, offering hibachi table dining with a silly-chef-sideshow. Lots of laughs. We had a fireside night cap back at the ranch and off to bed.

Saturday morning found us snug around the fire and at the beginning of a long round of Monopoly. We took a lunch break at The Shannon Rose in Ramsey for pub grub. Back to the sofa for fireside games. Saturday was sunny but cold outside. Ally and Paul made a delicious dinner and corked some awesome wine. After clean-up, the six of us watched "The Greatest Showman." The very entertaining 2017 musical drama inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum. No doubt we'll come back to take the family to the show when it's on Broadway. Great music and dancing. A full day of lazy family time. The best.

Springtime in NewYork

Early flight Thursday, NYC shopping for a warm raincoat, hanging out at the Moxy Hotel again...it’s good to be back in the greatest city in the world. Ally recommended Escala in Soho for dinner. Typical of her suggestions, it was an amazing dinner of exotic small plates in a very small, loud space. We paired our food selections with an Eastern European wine. It was unusual but a perfect complement to our meal.

Friday found us out in the cold rain again. We took the #7 subway to the all new and ritzy Hudson Yards at 30th & 10th. A state of the art mall and lifestyle community in NYC; home to the city’s first Neiman Marcus store. It was over the top! 

Veterans Day 2018

We dropped the kids at Hillside school Monday despite the Veteran's Day holiday for some. Ally slept in a bit; still trying to recover from jet lag. Bill treated the three of us to our fave breakfast at La Vie En Rose Bakery Cafe in Waldwick NJ. Afterwards, Ally dropped us at the train for our NYC escape.

The Moxy on Ann St. in FiDi is only two weeks old and super cute. We love staying at tiny NYC hotels! We hung out in the lobby talking to several professionals planning the Bumble event. The first event where Bumble app users get together in person for cocktails and hook ups will be held at Moxy Tuesday night. 😅

Per Ally's recommendation, we taxied to Don Angie Restaurant on Greenwich in the Village. We were able to snatch seats at the bar because we didn't get reservations six months ago. Yes, they book six month out. The famous rolled lasagna was delicious.

It was a good Veterans Day celebration as we reminisced about our five year anniversary of rolling over the Marco Bridge this Monday in 2013.

Stew and Snuggles

Sunday Funday in Allendale started with a mad dash to Celery Farm to get the best of the morning light for a photoshoot appointment. It was chilly, but the kids cooperated, and we were home by the fire in no time. And that's where we stayed for most of the day. A rollicking game of Monopoly consumed most of the afternoon. We made a chicken stew for dinner and snuggled all night.

Rumson Kutztown Allendale

In order to work the whole family into our weekend, we had to spend nearly six hours on NJ highways Saturday. Lucky for us, the colors were still brilliant on the trees and provided a beautiful taste of fall.

Our first college bound grandchild, Zach, gave us a terrific, albeit freezing, tour of the PA campus after our lunch at the Kutztown Tavern. We were so happy to hear Zach's enthusiasm for his studies, marching band and social life at the university.

The Epps met us back in Rumson NJ. Daughter the Younger, Ally, was dragging after just returning from business in Australia. After some selfies, video games, a glass of wine, and a quick stop to see Devin at work in Carvel's, we rode home to Allendale NJ with the Epps for a fire, an awesome surprise of Lou Malanati's pizza and a sleepover.

A Taste of Winter

We were home long enough to bake a cake for a neighbor and attend opening golf events at the Island Club before heading out to our old stomping grounds up north.

It was a typical cold and rainy November day when we landed at Newark Airport. An Uber dropped us at Rumson and I vowed never to use that car service again. Cheap but super ridiculous mode of travel at our age. I had more room in my United seat than in my Uber car. Haha.

Trama Restaurant in Long Branch NJ was a real treat for dinner. It was great to catch up with Son the Eldest, Chris, and his sweet Devin. Devin shared his most amazing tiramisu, as pictured.

Fun with Wee Ones in Allendale

Next stop in NJ: a spring day with Huddy and Nix.

Respite in Summit

Patty took great care of us at her amazing B&B in NJ.

The Final Push Home

Cheraw State Park was another nice find in SC. The park was empty and we were treated to waterfront property. On to Ponte Vedra, FL to meet Rufus, the newest family member. After a final night at our fave FL park, Anastasia Island SP, we ventured down the interstate to our little corner of paradise!!!

Thanks for following along. We'll be posting from the big eclipse next week!

Virginia Does it Again

With a late start out of NJ, we made it to the Shenandoah River Valley by 5:30pm. As much as I generally dislike KOAs, we hit the jackpot in the town of Luray. A beautiful campsite welcomed us to the grassy knolls and distant mountains of VA.

Charlottesville is on our mind tonight as fanatics exercise their right to free speech and excite the media into a frenzied state of incessant and sensationalized reporting. God help America.

Cityscapes

Union Square was a perfect central location for touring the city in three days. We went through $50 in subway fares with a major Metro hub just a couple blocks from our hotel.

Friday was mostly spent exploring lower Manhattan's waterfront. A ride on the Staten Island ferry capped off the tour.

We couldn't resist a stop for lunch at the original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. It was packed!

New York, NY

Oh how I ❤️ NY!

Ally is taking her turn babysitting. We left Solo for a few days in NY. Lunch at Mister Dips in Brooklyn was first on the list. Then, we shared a solemn couple hours at the 9/11 Memorial. The Oculus transportation hub at the WTC connected us to our subway and hotel in Union Square; close to my old stomping grounds.

UPS Pride

The boys in NJ loved their new shirts!

Busy Times in NJ

Fun, fun and more fun!