DavidandBevTravel.com

Sunday morning, July 20, 2008

Just a few hours left before I pack and fly back to Florida. Again we had the breakfast buffet at the hotel and decided the next time we meet our theme will be, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

There was quite a bit of activity going on in the hotel with bridal showers, baby showers and parties with people going in and out. Uncle Bobby decided that he would check out the ‘Events’ board in the lobby on Saturday and if there were parties going on, he and Aunt Dottie would come by, have brunch and hang out in the lobby reading the paper and people-watching.

Sadly, it was time for me to hop in my rental car and get to the White Plains Airport.

But I’ll be back soon for another visit.

Saturday, July 19

We were up and at ‘em early for the eight a.m. breakfast bell. Our cousin Deb and her sister Jo-Ann and Jo-Ann’s daughter Jessica, joined Uncle Bobby, Aunt Dottie, Marilyn, and myself for the buffet spread at the Ethan Allen. We talked about family memories and trips, who was doing what and where they were going on vacation. We hung around for about three hours and we were finally asked to leave, so the staff could prepare the table for lunch. Oh well, it was enjoyable. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Dottie took the afternoon off, so Marilyn and I decided to go to Ridgefield for the “Sale-ebration”.

By the time we arrived, it was, guess what? Time for lunch, so we called Butch and said we were going to Vincenzo’s Pizzeria for lunch and asked if he and Dawn could join us. We ordered pizza and we caught up on the news of their children and grandchildren.

By the time we got to town and Shoe La La, it was after two. We were then caught in a rainstorm so our shopping was cut short. Back to the hotel to meet up with Uncle Bobby & Aunt Dottie for dinner. We dined near their home at a family-style Italian restaurant. Food and company was good.

Friday, July 18^th

We started off the day eating at the hotel’s grand buffet breakfast in their solarium. As you can see Uncle Bobby had so much food that Marilyn needed to spoon-feed him to help him finish his breakfast. Ha-Ha!
Once suitably stuffed, we set our sites on our hometown, Ridgefield, founded in 1708, just a shade before Uncle Bobby was born. Upon arrival, I wanted to visit the “Scott House, ” as the Scotts were the founding fathers of our little town of Ridgefield, and Aunt Dottie is a ninth generation Scott. That’s the closest I’ll ever be to a Mayflower descendant!
After Marilyn finished vacuuming the Scott house and Windexing the windows, the next thing on our mind, of course, was where to have lunch!

We decided to put lunch off for a bit to stop at Shoe La La. Marilyn’s daughters; Suzanne and Stephanie own the shop. They were getting it primed for the big sale on Saturday, “Sale-ebration”, where Ridgefield closes Main Street and streets become pedestrian walkways. I thought, I might as well contribute, so I ended up with a beautiful brown leather bag and a pair of shoes. Stephanie asked if we would like to go over to see their new home of two years, which we did. Stephanie’s husband John was home as well as their two daughters, Olivia and Grace. We got the complete house tour. Their home is beautiful with many furnishings and artwork brought back from the orient.

We were running really late and needed to get lunch. Our options were the Sycamore drive-in or heading ‘over the line’ to the 121 Restaurant, formerly Johnson’s Bar, in Peach Lake, NY.  We chose 121 and had a great lunch of pulled pork sandwiches for myself and Uncle Bobby, and cheeseburgers for Marilyn and Aunt Dottie.

Then it was off to Barnes & Noble to peruse the travel books and maps on Paris. Tomorrow we are having breakfast with our cousin Deb who is taking a week trip to Paris and needed some advice as to what to see and do.

That evening we had a six o’clock reservation at Chuck’s Steak House. We all felt as though we had just finished eating, guess what, we had! We all met at six, including our brother George aka ‘Butchie’.  His wife, Dawn, was unable to make it, but we caught up with her on Saturday. Dinner was enjoyable with a lot of reminiscing and stories. I was shocked at how much I had forgotten.

Thursday, July 17^th