Wow! It's been a long time since our last post. We've got a lot to catch up with. To boot, we have so many things to talk about. First off, we'll run our timeline backwards. We recently returned from our annual trip north. The trip north alone will create more than several posts. Of course after the "snowbirds" headed north, the heat settled in here in FL. Between work, being house bound thanks to the heat, a few home chores, add in a new A/C system for the house and lots of walks for Lilly, we'd like to think we've been busy. Well, actually, Lilly knows how to "hitch" a ride during our evening walks.... She couldn't nudge "Nash" out of the front seat!
To top it off, we completely blew right past Lilly's third birthday back in May.
Walt Disney World hosted the
Invictus games this past May. Our group had the privilege of hosting the dignitaries and many of the competitors. The entire event was both humbling and heartwarming. The level of competition and sportsmanship was incredible. I was fortunate to have time to take in most of the opening ceremonies. It was quite an honor for Disney to host the Games. The first Invictus Games were held in London. Next year they'll be hosted in Canada. The Games, are the work of Prince Harry and they will travel to a new country each year. This year fourteen countries competed.
A special entry from an Apache helicopter. A disabled soldier and his dog.
The CEO of Jaguar, Dr. Ralf Speth
The Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, Bob Chapek
I had the fortune to be "Coined" by two dignitaries. One from Italy and one from Canada.
It is quite an honor.
Returning "snowbirds" are in for a real treat. Disney Springs is loaded with new restaurants and retail stores. The only visible construction is on a few more retail businesses and Planet Hollywood. The only major construction you may return to is the complex overpass being completed at the busy intersection of Buena Vista, EPCOT Center Drive and Bonnet Creek Rd. We think you'll be quite impressed when you see the transition.
That brings us to our recent trip north. We debated at length over our plans to make the trip. We ended up driving... a lot! We headed out well before sunrise and drove to Selma, NC. Our plan was to turn our SUV into a camper for the night. Little did we know we started out in 90'+ temps and ending up in Selma in 103'. After a most refreshing shower, we made our bed (so to speak). We had two fans blowing on us but the air mattresses didn't breath making us most uncomfortable. After about 1 1/2 hour of sleep, we hit the road. We stopped several times throughout the night drive and managed to sleep an hour or so at each stop. (We actually managed to fit two air mattresses into the back of the car.)
Happily our trip ended at Bill and Angela's home in Peabody and we decompressed.
Pat and I were on a mission to visit with relatives and take care of Doctor appointments.
We planned a visit with Jack, Alice and Pete and Joan. Like last year we all met "half way" at the
99 Restaurant in Walpole, MA. The same booth and waitress greeted us and we took advantage of a quiet Sunday to chat and reconnect.
There's this building on Rt. 128 north that has become a bit of a landmark. For years the copper reflective mirror like windows are pitched so that you can see your reflection heading northbound.
That's our RAV 4 you see and if you can look really carefully you might just be able to see Angela waving!
(Photo credit goes to Bill for hanging out the window to capture this picture!)
We hit several of our favorite dining establishments. The Land n Sea,
The New Brothers Deli and Salem Willows... more than a couple of times!
Below is Salem Willows beach area.
The "Land n Sea"
If you're ever passing through Peabody and you'd like to enjoy a great roast beef sandwich or some delicious fried seafood, this place is a must!
In my old age I've taken to revisiting several places that have, for me, deep meaning and great memories. My "Nostalgic Journey" began quite by accident. Peabody, MA is home to both Pat and me and her sister Angela. For me it was the launching pad which would lead me a long and happy marriage with the love of my life, Pat and a rewarding teaching career.
Peabody is also the home of St. John's School. Pat's sister, Angela's high school graduating class was the last Girls high school class to leave St. Johns. (St. John's only had high school for the girls.) Pat and I graduated from St. John's elementary school in 1959. Driving by St. John's always brought thoughts of what it must be like now, over 50 years later.
So begins a "Nostalgic Journey."
Looking for something to do, without letting Bill, Angela and Pat know my plan, I contacted St. John's to see if we could finally visit the school. My phone call was most welcome by the School's administrator, Kathy, and she looked forward to having us tour the school. Which turned to be a most pleasant surprise.
St. John's School is also the scene of one the most tragic events in the history of Peabody.
The building you see (above) was built in 1916. It replaced the original St. John's school after a devastating fire in 1915 that took the lives of 21 children. Out of the fire and terrible loss of young lives, Peabody was the first city to make it law that all public buildings and school doors open outward.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_School_fire
In 2005 a memorial to those who died was dedicated in front of the new St. John's Gym.
The front door where for so many years kids "marched" in order to the music of a marching band played over a loud speaker to the end of the street at the close of the school day.
The first image that greeted us is still hard for us to believe this is still in use. What you're looking at below is our coat lockers with doors that slide down to cover the "press" for storage above.
Yes, these are the original coat racks that we used after all these years.
There were two rooms I wanted to see. Below is the entrance to the boys 8th grade classroom.
Yes, the boys and girls were in separate classrooms!
The wooden desks (with ink wells) have been removed for the more modern open classroom.
The slate chalkboards are still mounted on the walls. However, most of them covered over.
You'll notice the original wood floors are still in place. The maintenance crew recently recoated them and they look terrific.
Below is the typical narrow coat storage between rooms as we make our way down the hall.
Our host, Kathy and Angela as we walk about the basement.
When we attended St. John's the basement never looked this bright or inviting. I remember the basement for a small lunch area, boiler room, boys 1st grade class and bathrooms.
My first grade classroom. Man, was it small!
The curved walls of the stairways, still the same.
As I mentioned, the floors are beautiful. The third floor was the Girls High School. The three of us were like kids again as we walked the creaking wooden floors taking time to wander in and out of the rooms we remember that were so much a part of our elementary and high school years experience.
What a trip down memory lane.
Bill and Angela provided us with grand hospitality and great meals topped off by gobbs of ice cream.
We settled in and enjoyed evening walks and just "kickin' back."
We had a terrific visit with our Aunt Ruth.
Lilly really enjoyed hanging out at Bill and Angela and Maggie's' house.
We left Peabody and headed to Amish country, PA. The first 400 miles of our return trip.
The view of the farms across the street from Beacon Hill Campground.
The upper level of Beacon Hill Camp Ground.
Our cabin for three nights. Boy, do we miss our motorhome!
Lilly's second visit to her "Mom's" home. Haley and Lilly continued to have a "standoff" meeting.
They really look alike! Lilly has the lime green halter on.
Becky absolutely loves Lilly and tells us that if she was going to keep a pup, Lilly was the one who won her heart over.
Becky and Abner guided us to a huge farm that just happens to have an awesome Ice Cream Stand.
The Lapp Valley Farm Ice Cream Stand. Yummy!
This guy was the official "greeter" of The Lapp Valley Farm Ice Cream stand.
Goats! What else would you expect to see at the Kiddy's animal play yard at Kitchen Kettle.
Not new to Intercourse but new stores. this used to be the gas station directly in front of the entrance to the Kitchen Kettle.
We have to admit, we sampled more than our share of jams!
The Farm across the street from the Campground grows feed corn and tobacco. Below the tobacco has been cut and ready to be placed in the drying barns. The tobacco leaves grown here are mainly used for cigar outer wrappers.
Below, Lilly and I wait for Pat to bring out our (Pat and me) must do treat... hotdogs!
Three days visiting, eating and getting to say hi to all our friends in Amish country flew by. Now it's back to reality... the ride home.
The last and longest drive was ahead of us. We left PA at 4:30am Wednesday morning and arrived home at 2:30am Thursday morning. You can guess how we spent the rest of the weekend!
The "Nostalgic Journey" will continue over the next two posts.
I hope you'll come along for the ride.
