Justin and I ended up traveling to/through 9 different states over the past week in all of our adventures.
New Hampshire: My grandmother Mary Keeley passed away this past May and the entire extended family gathered to celebrate her life this past weekend. It was a beautiful service and testament to the life of service and selflessness that she lived. Through stories from family and other residents at Kendal at Hanover, where she lived the last 26 years, it was so clear the incredible positive impact she's had. I'm so proud to be her granddaughter.
Grandma's friends have become our friends and it was good to get to spend time with residents like Carol Allan while we were at Kendal. Most of my memories with grandma happened in Hanover and I will miss our trips here and how this place has become one of our favorites.
Salem, MA: Justin and I picked a random detour spot on our way South and ended up in Salem, MA. The town was booming with tourists, many of whom were dressed in witch attire, and we wandered around checking out the Witch House, touring the Ropes Mansion next door and the downtown.
Wickford, RI: My aunt and uncle and cousin and his wife all live in Rhode Island near the coast. Lucky for us, we got to stay with them, have dinner and go on a night walk to the pier. I don't see this side of my family very often so it was such a treat to spend time together.
NY, NY: We've both been to New York City several times but this was our first city adventure together. Alli Kenney, one of my Camp Tecumseh friends, teaches in the city and let us stay with her in Manhattan. Once we unloaded our luggage we got right to exploring-- brunch at Citizens of Chelsea, the High Line, Chelsea Market, all the subway stops, dinner at Ruby's Cafe and Washington Square Arch at NYU at night.
Day two in the city started with making a new friend, Barbara, at breakfast, strolling through Central Park, soaking in the sun on a park bench, getting hot dogs from a street vendor, exploring the Upper West Side to find the Shop Around the Corner...
helping a lost Argentinean in the park reunite with her family, Xi'an Famous Foods, making our way through Macy's to find a Christmas ornament (our tradition is to get an ornament for each trip we go on), Times Square...
the 9/11 Memorial because I hadn't seen it yet, Westfield World Trade Center Mall and then back to see Waitress the Musical with our friends Abby, Alli and Tony.
Our friends had to go home because they had work early the next morning, but Justin took me to the Top of the Rock (aka Rockefeller Center) to see the city at night. It was freezing but so beautiful.
Day three started early by living a day in the life with Alli Kenney and riding the subway to Brooklyn where she teaches 2nd grade at Success Academy. We got breakfast sandwiches and coffee at her favorite deli, Justin put on an orange tie just like the kids wear and we got ready to greet them at the door with a handshake when they climbed up to the 4th floor.
Justin and I both shared books with the class, experienced Community Circle and got to see how Alli's students love her and this structure of school.
We got to find a donut shop, walk through a Farmer's Market and explore some more before heading back to the Rockefeller Center to meet Sarah Fitzpatrick who works at NBC. She gave us a tour of the news floors and then took us to lunch across the street where she takes all of her sources. Sarah and I met as Day Camp counselors over a decade ago. Our lives couldn't be more different these days but she's still one of my dear friends.
Holland, MI: At the end of the week we drove up to Holland, MI to see my family. Friday night we got to be part of Supper Club at my sister's house, introduce them to Secret Hitler and play with my nephews. Saturday morning we all ran in Hope's Homecoming Donut 5K and then watched Lincoln and Redford play in their soccer games. Justin and I spent the rest of the day with my dad celebrating his upcoming 70th birthday!
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