Return to New England, Pt. 6

---

---

After leaving Maine, and stopping overnight in Connecticut, we got to New Jersey and spent a day with Trish's brother Jack. We had visited in November and received permission to park in a back parking area. This time, they seemed to anticipate our visit and the guard at the gate told us where to park. It was an area the cats really liked--away from roads and near trees and grass. We had a great visit with Jack, though he was understandably upset as he was being asked/told to move from an assisted living floor to full nursing facility in the complex. He now requires two people to help and there is just not enough help in the assisted living to meet this need. Jack has to divest of his special bed and chair, book cases and many other things. He gave Trish a print of a carved goose and a carving done by his brother, Dick, of a golfer. He also asked us to take some other things he had in the room as he would have no place in the new facility. But even though sad and angry, he maintained his sense of humor and was glad to see us and us to see him. We had a great, though brief visit for a day and the next morning and then left to drive to WV.

We got to the RV and called the cats. Domino had come in but Slinky stayed out. And stayed, and stayed. We waited SIX HOURS. We didn't want to go back and see Jack, as he had been upset when we kissed him good-bye, so we waited. Finally she came in. Trish told her she was "Grounded for Life!!" Then we headed out. We were going to Kim's for a few days and then would go spend time with friends in Virginia and check on the property there.

At Kim's we saw progress since a few weeks earlier and yet, daughter still had a "Daddy-do" list to help. So I worked on installing new deadbolt and safety lock on the front door and Trish went with daughter and best friend Jen to do some wedding clothes purchases. Jen is amazing at quickly spotting the right thing and coordinating all the fashions. The girls came back with great purchases and Dad finished the lock installation in a little under 2 1/2 days. (Hey, it's a very old, fragile door and required special epoxy to fill big holes and gaps. Give me a break!) As a reward for my hard work and Trish's enthusiastic shopping, Kim took us to Sweet Frogs for more frozen yogurt.

Trish and I took one day to drive to Greencastle, PA, where we had lived for 3 1/2 years (and where Kim was born) to see the area. We drove out to our old house and looked, chatted with a neighbor, and shopped at the local market, getting some yummy donuts and looking for good grain-fed beef. Alas, the meat market we had used 30 years ago was gone. They had excellent beef, lamb, and pork and we had hoped to get some for the freezer. We came back to Kim's with just the donuts.

Kim took a few days off to spend with us and then she when to work and we drove to Virginia. We were going to stay with our Lodges again as they have a 30amp plug in and are out in the country. Plus, they are the bestest of friends and camping buddies! With Slinky kept inside the whole time, there were no problems leaving WV and we got to VA and hooked up and waited for Dave and Bonnie to come home from work. That evening Bonnie had a simple, tasty, down-home yummy pot of fresh green beans, potatoes, and bits of ham. It was all served with really good bread. As always, tasty food and great fellowship with Lodges.

Next day we were to meet with Dave and Kristi Darrah at the local airport. Dave was the Commanding Officer in Iwakuni from 2001-2004 and one of the most dynamic, visionary, principled leaders I ever had the privilege of serving under. He came back to the DC area in 2004 and retired a year later. He worked as a contractor in various positions but I could tell, he just wasn't happy. Then, this early spring, he found his dream job--airport manager for Warrenton, VA. It's a small field with many issues, but now he again has a "base", can sniff AvGas, and listen and watch planes. But more important, he can impart his vision and philosophy to a whole new group of folks and, I am sure, make the airport a vital, growing part of the community. (I wish we still lived in the area...sort of...and could go back to work with him. It would have been fun.) After touring the base/airport, the four of us went to lunch and had great fun catching up on kids, grandkids, and politics.

We left Darrah's and drove to our old house in Spotsylvania where we connected with Joyce Compton, Kati and Joe. Joyce manages the property for us and we had new tenants. We checked out some damage to the porch outside and the excellent work her contractor was doing on restoring the garage door and other outside issues. We noted the work that had been done in cleaning out the leaves and grass and met the new tenants, who seem very nice and responsible. The house is basically in good shape and Joyce is making sure it stays that way so when the market recovers, we can sell easily. We all then drove to an Asian buffet and stuffed ourselves on sushi, gyoza, clams, malasadas, and other delightful treats. When we finally left, we urged Joyce to have Kati come spend a week or two with us in Alabama. Think she would have fun!

The next day we visited Annette Heinz. Trish and Annette are "scooter" buddies. We met Heinz's on motorscooters several years ago and have had fun scooting around and camping together. Kurt and Annette are scheduled to visit NC in a few weeks to explore possible retirement sites and we'll go camp with them for a while. Kurt was at work this day, so Annette and Trish caught up on all the latest news while I caught up on emails on their computer. After lunch it was back to Lodges before heading out for dinner that night with Alan Street.

Alan was our "go-to" guy for the RV when we lived in VA. He repaired things, remodeled the front to give us more cabinet space, and installed and taught me how to use the towing for the car. He's a quiet, fun guy and when we met him in Culpepper, he had a new, cute female with him. Tammy is a wonderful woman and the two seemed to really hit it off. We had a great dinner at a German restaurant in an old building in downtown Culpepper. Food was awesome and the company was great. I told Alan if he wanted to move to AL and open his own RV repair business, I'd be on his door step first thing and would be happy to help him get settled in.

The next two days were the weekend and we spent those with Dave and Bonnie. We swam in thier pool, relaxed, did a little shopping, worked on the RV, Trish dug some plants to add to the growing number we were gathering from different spots, and had great meals. We so enjoy Dave and Bonnie and look forward to the time they can come to Alabama. Finally, Monday morning came and we were up extra early, grabbed a quick breakfast and coffee and pulled out. It's about a 12 hour drive (they way we drive) and it was going to be hot. But our 4 week jaunt to New England was coming to a close. I knew we had issues at home...like tall grass, bills, and planting all the flowers and shrubs Trish had been collecting, but we were looking forward to getting home. We'd put a lot of miles on the RV, seen family, friends and students; visited places we had lived in the past; eaten fresh lobster and clams; been cool to cold in VT and boiling hot in WV; and now it was time to get back. But we intend to go back to New England again because we have good friends there and we love the area.



***We have been back for two weeks now. Last week, shortly after we had gotten home, we got a phone call from our niece, Lynn, in NJ. Her Dad, Trish's brother Jack, was being moved from a wheel chair to his chair when he collapsed and fell on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital, but did not recover and died. This was less than two weeks after we had stopped to see him. It has been devastating for Trish, as in April she lost her other brother in TN. We are now preparing to drive (auto, no RV) back to NJ for a memorial service in which once again family will gather. Despite the pain, anger, hurt, we are so grateful that we had the time to stop and see Jack one more time.

---

Photos

Where Kim was born
Greencastle, PA, where we lived after leaving teaching in NH. Goat shed in back is gone but it is still as arid and hot as we remember. And even though we stopped to chat with the neighbors, they were no more welcoming now than they had been 33 years ago.

Colonel Dave in new job
One of the first things Dave got for his office was a large white board where he put his vision, his top-5 priorities, status of changes/issues and budget items so they would always be front and center. He remains a hands on visionary leader, a credit to the USMC.

Dave and Kristi Darrah
If you have been to Japan, or seen pictures, you know that all Japanese make the "peace" sign whenever they are having their picture taken. No idea how this started or why, but this proves Dave and Kristi absorbed the culture while there.

Joyce, Kati, and Joe
Joyce is our realtor, agent and good friend. Her granddaughter, Kati, "adopted" us (or was it the other way round?) when we met her 7 years ago. Joe is a wonderful husband, grandfather, and new friend who is a delight to chat with. We discovered we both had worked for Dept of Army long ago.

Annette, Sally & Trish
Sally is very happy to have both ladies petting her and playing. This crazy dog even rides in her little carrier on the back of Annette's scooter.

Dave & Bonnie
Two of the nicest, most down-to-earth folks we have ever known. We met by chance while camping and now meet by choice as often as we can. They are kindred spirits who love to travel, camp and relax in the same way we do. And Bonnie makes GREAT s'mores!

Trish and Dick
Richard Olsen was Trish's middle brother and also lived in Crossville...only his Crossville was in Tennessee. He developed health issues a few years back and passed away this April.

Aunt Pat & Uncle Jack
Jack Olsen was Trish's older brother. His wife, Pat, passed away while we were in Japan in 2003. Jack lived in NJ and we were so glad we could see him just prior to his passing.