Cousin Conference

The only two members of the family who have not been to Emerald Isle before, Sydney (age 1) and Aldon (age 6 months) conduct a conference about how the place measures up.  I think they approve.  We'll check in again later.

Arriving at 117 Janell Lane

Off and on rain trailed us all the way to Emerald Isle.  Stella, Ted and I arrived fairly early and stopped to buy some groceries before we picked up the keys.  By 4:00 everyone had arrived.  Unloading involved a lot of stair climbing but no one seemed to might after the hours of seating in cars.  The traditional pizza was ordered for our first night's dinner.

His Royal Highness of the Bed Chamber

Aldon enjoyed his stay as well.

Friday Night Swim

Everett was bribed throughout the trip with the promise of going swimming once they reached the hotel so, of course, I had to take him--kicking and screaming?--to the pool.  We had to try both the indoor and outdoor pool.  He loved them both.

Stopping in Fayetteville, PA

Since we were passing within 10 miles of Fayetteville, where I lived as a boy from ages six to nine, I decided to see if I could find the old place where we lived in Oak Hill Acres, a small housing development there.  The houses look nothing like I remember but I think this is it.  Dad and Mom, what do you think?

Next Up: Emerald Isle, NC

Okay, so it's time for the biennial family caravan to Emerald Isle, on the coast of North Carolina.  I led the way with passengers Ted and Stella--in their own car, leaving Binghamton at about 9:00am Friday.  Before long I had received texts from everyone else, except Donna and Dan, who planned to leave after lunch.  Nancy was with Meisha and the boys because Dave had to work.  Our plan was to come together just outside Fredericksburg, VA, to stay the night at a Holiday Inn Express and Suites.  Chris, Joe, Taylor and Josh were planning to stay the night in Petersburg.  Tish, Jay and the girls were staying with friends somewhere near Washington, DC.  And Donna and Dan were heading to Winchester, VA, for the night.

England and Iceland

For those of you "following us around the world," I blogged our trip with Meisha, Dave and the boys to England and Iceland in July 2014 on the Corpus Christi Plays Blog.  Click HERE if you want to visit it.