New Hampshire: The First Week

A couple more farm pix......Carl built this barn himself!!!

First orientation day at Dartmouth Hitchcock....I'm not in Kansas anymore, Toto!

I love the woods! This is the entrance road to the hospital.

This sign was posted in the center of the little town of Orford.  Yay lobster!!!

I love the historic mile marker.

In the center of town looking south.

One of the beautiful homes across the common area.

My tag! I'm officially an employee!

The view from the 5th floor neuro unit entrance.

The walk from one of the parking lots to the hospital.

New Hampshire: The First Weekend

I arrived at Sam and Karen's house around lunchtime.  Karen had made DELICIOUS lobster rolls 

and blueberry pie!  We sat out on the porch and ate; it was really delightful.

After lunch we went for a swim at the boat landing up on Granite Lake; it has been so long since I swam in a freshwater lake...the water felt incredibly soft and was so refreshing, and since is was early afternoon on a weekday the lake was very peaceful.  I was baptized in this lake.

This is Indie--she hangs out on my bed. As you can see, she is skin and bones.....

Crosswinds Farm: my home away from home for the next 3 months

Zoe

There are at least 3 kinds of chickens: bantams, guinea hens, and one other.  You're lookin' at a lot of eggs and schnitzel there...

Lizzie is very much the farm girl, and helps with all the chores.

Finally got to Face Time with Cory!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Spent the first Saturday evening at a barbeque held at Karen's mom's home in Swanzey. Nancy (Karen's mom) and Bruce live right across the street from the entrance to the airport, for those of you who know the area

The event was celebrating all of the recent birthdays, including Carl's, Nancy (Johnson), Kim (Karen's sister) and Lizzie. This is a photo of Kim and Carl.

Grampy Sam :)

Giving his "Peder" smile...hahaha

Carl and "Gram Gram" (Nancy)

4 generations!

The cutest sweatshirt ever...a Maine lobster!

Nancy 

Carl and Clarissa breed sheep.  This is their ram.

This is part of his harem.

Abby and Tipsy: Tipsy is a Percheron draft horse.  I did not know that when you own horses you need at least two or the one will try to run away...they need company.

This is my room :)

This is Oscar, their other Australian Shepherd.

Driving Back East With Alyssa and Garrett

Alyssa and her WONDERFUL friend Garrett consented to drive back to New England with me..it was an anxiety-filled time for a bit, as the return airfare from Boston for Thurs am had already been purchased, and the Escape was still at the mechanic's during the weekend, but the mechanic came through on that Monday with a way to start the car successfully each time, so Monday night(or was it Tuesday am??) we packed up and were off!

Tuesday we veered off the beaten path (only about 12 miles) in Iowa to visit this little Danish village with an "authentic Danish windmill":

Wrapping the suitcases in large trash bags was a clear bust. They were waterproof, however, so no damage done!

Wednesday morning I awoke to Alyssa saying, "Everyone up! We're at Niagra Falls!" She had done the night driving shift and decided to become tour guide, for which I am extremely grateful! I think I have been here once when I was a child, but I believe it was on the Canadian side.

Later that day we stopped at a seafood restaurant along the Hudson River a bit south of Albany.  The ambience was great and the food was delicious!

Steamed clams!!

Garrett had never been to the Atlantic Ocean, so before dropping them off at Logan Airport Wednesday night we drove up to Salisbury Beach. Bucket-list check-off for Garrett!

I know the picture is fuzzy but it's cute.

Salisbury Beach is very Coney-Islandish, with arcades and food vendors and shops lining the streets; it was still very much alive at 10 pm when we arrived.  After running around on the sand for awhile, I drove the kiddos to Logan Airport (Thank GOODNESS for GPS!!!), then headed north on route 2 where I checked into a hotel in Concord, Mass around midnight, showered, and slept the rest of the night away. It was a fun trip out....and a great start to this 3-month adventure!