At the end of June we packed the car and drove east for a week and a half vacation. The drive was long, as usual, this time with the interstate completely closed in Ohio due to a fuel tanker explosion. We got off early and drove on slower side roads for a while, but at least we weren't stuck on the highway like a lot of people.
The plan was to get to Erie and spend the night to finish the drive in the morning. But as we looked for dog friendly places to stay, we learned that Erie thinks they are something special... one night at a La Quinta next to the highway was almost $200. Sorry Erie, you weren't scamming us. So we continued on and got a room at a very nice Red Roof Inn in Jamestown NY. Dog friendly. We recommend it if you are in the area and need a place to crash.
 |
| Ready to begin our looooong road trip! |
We did have a deadline for our drive; we had to be in Walden for Grandpa Millspaugh's surprise 90th birthday party. The timing all worked out and we arrived with 10 minutes to spare. For some background, Grandpa was an avid paddler on the Wallkill river and would put his boat in at an area that I guess was technically a park/boat launch, but you wouldn't know it from the state of the land. So, through the work and coordination of many, the land was transformed and a real boat launch/dock was built and installed. The town renamed the park and the boy scouts built an official park sign.
We had several boats on the river when he arrived, and he appeared quite surprised and impressed. He even got out for a birthday paddle. After the ceremony at the park, we headed to the village municipal building for food, cake, and a "museum" of artifacts from over 90 years of Granpda's life. Overall, it was a great event.
 |
| The improved riverfront park and boat launch on the Wallkill River |
 |
| New park sign built by the boy scouts |
 |
| That's one surprised Grandpa |
 |
| Lots of family in attendance |
 |
| Grandpa going for a birthday paddle |
 |
| Birthday celebration |
After the birthday party, we spent the night at Grandma and Grandpa Vinett's and had a nice visit. Then we headed down state to the Island to visit some high school friends. It wasn't too bad driving past NYC and out onto Long Island on a Sunday morning. We had a nice 1-day visit and then continued driving out to the tip of the Island. The atmosphere on Long Island is actually quite nice, and maybe even tolerable to live in, if you never drive toward the chaos of the city. We are not city people.
From the end of the Island, we took the ferry across to Connecticut. The ferry was dog friendly and was a refurbished landing ship from D-Day. The ferry ride is worth it if you have the chance, and it cut a lot off of our drive. We were now heading to Boston to visit yet another high school friend on our tour-de-northeast.
 |
| About to board the ferry! |
 |
| Riding a piece of history |
 |
| Cassie loved the boat ride |
 |
| We like boats |
After Boston, we continued on to Maine. This time to visit some college friends. We stayed at the
Yachtsman Lodge in Kennebunkport. Diana did the research and said it was dog friendly with great reviews. Well when we checked in, there was a dog bed, dog bowl, and Maine themed dog treats. Diana and planning never fails. We had a good time roaming the little downtown of Kennebunkport, walking by the Bush Estate, and walking the beach along the ocean. We had dinner one night up in Portland and stopped by the flagship ll bean store. I did make an attempt at eating my first full lobster. I think it was a success, but I did have to watch a youtube video first to figure out what to do. It was a short stay in Maine, but I think we will be back.
 |
| Maine dog treats! |
 |
| View from our room. Very Maine. |
 |
| Visit with Marquette friends who now live in Maine |
 |
| Diana and Katie |
 |
| Ready to take on the lobster! |
 |
| Out for an early walk along the ocean |
After Maine, we started driving west. We made a pit stop in Niskayuna for the night and a mandatory stop at I Love NY Pizza for some buffalo chicken. Cassie made some use of the pool.
 |
| Pup swimming laps |
 |
| Pooped pup imitating the carpet |
Then we continued to the lake for the fourth of July weekend. Not much to say here, it was a weekend full of swimming, boating, fires, fireworks, family, games, food, and music. Typical summer weekend at the lake and a good visit.
 |
| Happy Fourth |
|
| Having a fire in the stump furnace |
 |
| Good vacation. Time for a nap. |
