October 4-8, 2009
Day 29-32


Sunday, we took it easy. In the afternoon, we went down to Peru, NY to see my brother Jim and sister-in-law, Sherry. It is always great to see them. We went on a 4 mile walk and talk, catching up on the events in their lives. For dinner, we drove down to our hometown of Keeseville to have pizza at the North Country Club. We have so many wonderful memories of great times spent here with family and friends. Soon after I walked in, I saw cousins my Mary and Jim King and my Aunt Margaret Earle, (my God-Mother) who will be 101 years old on October 25 and looks amazing. She asked me if I knew her secret to aging so well and then held up her bottle of beer. She has one a night and she was convincing enough that I ordered one to have with our pizza.
On Monday, we moved our 5th wheel to Cumberland Head State Park and found a site looking over Lake Champlain.With few other campers, we felt like we had the place to ourselves.

 After getting settled in, we went for a walk along the lake. There must have been 200 geese and a few mallards on the lake, along with the usual seagulls.Brother Jim, brought us some wood and we enjoyed the evening around the campfire.

Tuesday, after Chef Bob prepared us a yummy breakfast outside in the sunshine, we headed out to go hiking up Lyon Mt, with Jim and Sherry. It was 6.4 miles RT and although the switchbacks were not too bad, we were climbing over rocks, in mud and running water toward the summit. When we made it to the top, we were treated to a magnificent view of Chazy Lake, Lake Champlain, other Adirondack Mts., and Vermont.

• 
  
  
  
  
  

 It was strange seeing the windmills among the beautiful hardwoods in their full color, especially the red maples.

 After having a picnic, we headed down the mountain, much easier going but we had to watch our footing. My nephew Ryan was planning on preparing us a shrimp pasta in vodka sauce dinner at the lake, but we were late, dirty, sweaty and tired. We talked him into something easier since it was dark when we got to the campsite. After hugs to Ryan and his girlfriend Kate, we made a fire until the raindrops forced us to call it a night. We woke during the night to gale force winds coming from the lake toward our trailer that was rocking. Bob had to pull the awning in and make sure everything was secure. I was too snug and comfy to worry about it. Since the day was windy and cloudy, we thought that we should get some paperwork, laundry, and chores done for Mom and Dad. They treated us to dinner at the Butcher Block, a very nice local restaurant.
Thursday, I woke to a mostly sunny day and sat at my big window watching the geese, some crows competing with seagulls for food, and a cute little gray squirrel busily preparing for winter. After Bob got up, we both just enjoyed the quiet morning relaxing and not rushing to be anywhere. We walked the beach without a care in the world and when we returned made Taco chicken soup on the cook stove for lunch . Later in the afternoon, we helped Mom and Dad put away their lawn furniture and re-pot some plants, before coming back to the lake for dinner. Of course, we had to end the evening with another campfire. Life doesn’t get much better than these lazy days, especially when we see what the weather is in Alaska.