Days Inn Albany Suny

... to Rome (via Aer Lingus which was the cheapest flight I could find). From Rome, train to Bagaia (Viterbo), then train to Spoleto to meet Philip Dickey and Bridget, who have a car. Thence to two different villages in Parco Monti Sibillini -- Castelluccio and Montefortino. After a week of day-hiking and a side trip to Asoli Picena, I bus ...

... Panda Bears, a black feral cat roaming the tall grasses, what I think was a raccoon munching away at the yummy grasses by the roadside, and groups of motorcyclists once again. If I had more time, I would have gone to see the "Jello Museum". Can't imagine what's in there. Preserved jello molds from years back?? My brain is working better today and i surmised that the exit signs with the giant question mark, must mean if you have ...

The first part of the ride from the village of Lake George to Glens Falls is mostly on a bike trail. It was nice to have a shorter, much flatter ride the next day down to Easton Mountain, where I attended a retreat over Labor Day weekend.

After the fun experience of really checking tire pressure and filling to specs I was on my way - sounds simple but Visions are not. Too much hardware in the way and make sure your have a gauge with a little hose.
First stop, a short hop to Albany to visit with friends I see far too little of. Delightful way to begin the trip, and a shady spot for the bike to roost for the night.

The weather was a bit overcast and chilly for the early part of the day as we skirted the eastern side of the Catskills. The terrain heading north becomes fairly flat between the Catskills and the Adirondacks ...

... where we had started and that we were so close to the finish. There was one really good but short climb and as I started up it there was this huge bear like animal on all fours in front of me, I couldn't tell for sure what it was it looked to beig to be a dog and there was no master around it started to concern me. As I approached I could hear the labored breathing even over mine! It was an old Chow the owner was at ...

... precise. Take a look at these, some of the ones that caught our eye…

As a footnote I would mention that we did venture beyond the historic downtown looking for a supermarket as we needed some milk, once outside it we could have been anywhere, but we will always remember the charming downtown, bathed in sunlight, showing us its best, if somewhat peeling face!

.Do take a look at the album to get a real flavour of Hudson

... down on his luck) and I smiled. I received in return this huge smile and a 'hello, pretty lady.' I felt more beautiful in that moment than if a young handsome man would've said it. It has to do with a soul beauty and runs so deep that it fills the spirit, not the ego. Did do some group social activities, as well. :) Ventured to the mall with Zoe. Then cabbed over to a bowling alley with the big gang - one of the truck drivers organized this one. Good times.

We could not have asked for a better weekend! Add the perfect weather to having our friends & family around and we could not have asked for more! The boys and I arrived around 10:30 Friday morning. Our first visitors arrived around 11:00 am and stayed well into the night to enjoy a beautiful campfire. Sami joined us after work and settled in to one of the ...

... and did not allow another run. We scored two runs in the last inning and ended the game with a double play. Very exciting for the team and all of the fans who made the drive to Albany to see the game. that win put us into the semi-final game on friday night against the same team for the New England championship. Last night at the hotel the girls went to a dance and ...