26 August
We started by attending a mini-family reunion in Lewes, Delaware. D's brother Tom is celebrating his 80th birthday with his brother, sisters, children, in-laws and outlaws this weekend.
Our first flight was a Southwest 737 to Baltimore so D can visit her favorite crab-cake restaurant "G & M Seafood" in Upper Linthicum MD, just south of the BWI airport en route to Lewes. The flight was uneventful - the best kind. The crab cake at G&M was as good as always.
Our Nissan (strange animal) rental car took us over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore of Maryland after a massive mess at the toll-booths We did this dozens of times back when we lived in Manassas and never called it "fun". But we got to Lewes and checked in at the Sleep Inn & Suites.
Now if you think you might stay at this place, don't. Unless you're budget-limited and this is the last place. The room is small. The bathroom is tiny, including the shower. No closet, but there is a tiny wardrobe. Our safe didn't work due to battery depletion. Yet there are many people at the place.
Then we went to Fisherman's Wharf and joined the family for dinner. We sat in an open room and enjoyed the cool, and the low humidity. Lots of talk and jokes. Friends stopped at the table and wished Tom well. Finally we broke up somewhat after 2100 and returned to the motel.
Photos link
27 August 2017
We slept well. At least the place is quiet. Breakfast off the lobby was a little better than most chain stores in that it had many choices; the sausage and eggs were warm and there were interesting pastries.
Back up to the room to wait for time to go to church at St Edmonds in Rehobeth. Then I took D to church and found a place to wait under a tree while I did some computer chores.
When D came our, we went to scenic old Lewes and stumbled by luck into a parking place. While fumbling for quarters for the meter, Peter & Brenda came along so we chatted a bit.
Then D went into a shop and then into another shop. A long-time buddy of mine, Curt Honeycutt called. We chatted about friends and about his cancer and attitudes and a flock of other things. It was great to hear his voice. We'll remain in touch.
Off and away then to Route 1 and one of the many outlet plazas that are so popular here (no sales tax, good bargains if you can find your size and style). I bought a shirt and D hit another shop.
Then back to the hotel to rest up for the festivities later.
We got to the party at 1800, just in time for the family introductions. I pulled up drinks for us from the open bar and brought them back. We said hello to Tom & Abbie (at the same table) and went for food from the buffet line. The food was nicely presented and since it was all Tom's favorites, very good. The band started up, we sang Happy Birthday and the band played dance music for two sets.
After food and some talking over the noise of the band, those who wanted to talk went out on the deck outside, overlooking the Lewes canal. Various groups came together, talked, and re-formed with others. We had a fine time talking with other family members and their friends. Some of these folks went WAY back with the Schmitts, one lady saying she was in Regina's class at St Lawrence. Pictures were examined and talked about. A beautiful sunset, many pictures taken.
Finally, the band wound down, most of the people were on the deck, so we took a Schmitt group picture and said our good-byes and good-nights. It was a wonderful celebration and mini-reunion.
Photo link
We were invited to Tom's boat, the Stephanie Anne, this morning for breakfast. When we arrived, we found Abbie had put out a huge spread and ingredients for mimosas & bloody-marys. Tom showed us around the boat, which is superbly finished. Everything is neat and set into the cabinets or dashboards, and it is fully equipped. It is beautiful.
The hull was built in 1955. The pilot house is new, the old one having been donated to the boating museum in Lewes (which is a good deal all by itself). It's 47' overall, powered by an elderly Detroit Diesel engine. Its cruising and top speed are limited by physics (hull length in a full displacement boat) to 7 or 8 knots, just right for puttering around. i'll bet people stare at it as it goes past.
Joe, Peter & Brenda, us two and Tom & Abbie chatted and took pictures of each other and just enjoyed ourselves. Then Joe drove off for Madison and Peter & Brenda headed for Blackstone Virginia. Then we left on a local trip so Dolores could reminisce about her stay in Delaware.
We went north to Dover and looked into Holy Cross cemetery for the stones of D's parents and sister. We found them easily enough, assured ourselves they were being looked after properly, and took pictures for others.
Then we headed west on 10 past Phyllis's house to Marydel, where we were married. We looked at the church and marveled how long it has been (47 years). Then we went through Sandtown to the site of D's parents farm. It has houses and horses on it now, nearly unrecognizable. We then went past Ganny's tiny little house and back to Dover. D looked at Holy Cross High School, which is rumored to be starting up again soon, and the historic section of Dover. That was enough.
Rehobeth was the goal for lunch and we made it. It took forever to find a parking place, but we did. The Purple Parrot had crab on the menu so we went in. D had crab imperial & I had chicken on linguine, both good. Server was from Russia but spoke very good English and seemed happy, always smiling.
We stopped at CVS for some items we might not find easily on our travels and then returned to the motel. We'll just loaf here and head for Newark tomorrow.
Photo link
We woke and had breakfast, then drove to the Cape May - Lewes ferry dock. When ready, we were loaded aboard.
We'll be going across the mouth of Delaware Bay, an hour-and-a-half trip. But there's a low-pressure area offshore producing nice winds and rain. The wind results in swells from the east into the bay.
So the ferry Delaware slogged along at normal speed but pitching a little bit and rolling quite nicely, perhaps 5-10* either side.
It wasn't all that uncomfortable.
Actually, on a submarine it would have been good sleeping weather.
The rolling lessened as we got behind the southern point of NJ and we arrived more or less on time.
29 August, continued
The trip up the Garden State Parkway was hectic. We encountered the NJ drivers in rain & spray, most doing 15 over the limit. But we arrived at EWR and turned in the rental car to the nicest Hertz checkin person I've ever met. Amazing.
Aer Lingus doesn't open their counter until later in the day, so we went to City Point for beverages and light food. The counter opened while there, but we checked in soon afterward.
We received our boarding passes and vouchers for the British Air lounge (owned by the same holding company). But it wasn't open yet so we wandered around until it did. Very nice lounge overlooking the runways so we could see air traffic comping and going.
About 1600, our aircraft arrived about 15 minutes late, probably due to the bleak weather we have today.
The planes to Europe are almost universally red-eyes, so planes will be taking off out of here all evening. Ours is one of the earliest, as reflected in its scheduled arrival time in Dublin of 0505.
Good start, more later. Later:
Takeoff was on time, a little bumpy going up, then the great circle route to Ireland. I used the wifi to say hi to Bill. The entertainment (Irish documentaries) was great as was the food.
I got in a pretty good nap - D had to wake me when we came to half-hour from the terminal in Dublin. We landed at 0440, a truly ungodly hour. We did immigration and got our bags. We took them to the checkin for the next flight (to Aberdeen). The little lady there screwed up our checkin (used the wrong names) and had to clear that up.
Then we found the Aer Lingus lounge and conned our way in there by saying we'd just arrived in business class and had a looooonng layover.
