Hikin' in Hampshire

In mid-September, with the promise of fall in the air, Tony was dying to see some foliage. Being a native Vermonter, I think it just seemed wrong to wait for our "flat-lander" foliage - he needed to view the fall colors from the mountains. Seeing that it was still early in the season, we would need to go pretty far north - Massachusetts wasn't gonna cut it. So we set our sights on New Hampshire. And while getting up at the crack of dawn was not the high point of the day, the hike was well worth it. It was about 4.5 miles roundtrip and had a nice moderate terrain. It spanned two peaks, Mt. Percival and Mt. Morgan in a loop and had incredible views of the lakes in the distance. And even though the trees weren't quite turned - we still had a wonderful time getting out into the beautiful New England mountains.

Still pretty sleepy (me), we are at the trail head at 9:30am

(it's a 3 hour drive, you do the math!)

Our first look-out as we ascend Mt Percival. There's some orange!

Taking a water break on the trail.

Hiking up on the boulders trying to find the cave we needed to go through...

where is it??

A-ha! There's the yellow trail marker... how did we miss that??!!

In I come.. had to pass our backpacks through first... it was a tight squeeze!

Me and T on the summit of Mt. Percival.

The view from Mt. Percival.

On the way home we stopped in southern New Hampshire

for some quick apple picking. Yum!

An Ithaca Wedding Weekend

The nuptials of Sandy Nasrallah and Tom Whitlock sent us on a pilgrimage to Ithaca NY this past Labor Day weekend. Sandy and Tom were internal medicine residents with Tony in Chicago and now we are lucky to have them just 45 minutes north in Beantown. Well, Ithaca was just as advertised: "Gor-ges". We had a great time visiting with old friends from Chicago while we took in the beautiful scenery and the local libations (vino, vino, vino!).

After some wine tasting at Hosmer Vineyards, we headed to a look-out

over one of the many gorgeous waterfalls.

Michael, Valerie and Anat pose at the look-out.

Janice, Nate and little Asher take in the sunny views before

we all headed back to get ready for the big event!

Here comes the bride with her proud papa.

The reception was held in the beautiful white house in the background.

We were right on the shore of a small lake - and even had some boats

pull up to watch the ceremony.

After a great night of dancing (we all learned the Dabke, a traditional Lebanese dance

similar to the Hora, as it is done while linking arms and rotating around in a circle) -

we headed to the famous Ithaca Farmer's market on sunday morning.

It is a permanent structure filled with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to crafts to

hot food and drink. There were several musicians playing around the grounds as well.

Lauren and I pose outside the market by the lake.

Tony and Val do the same.

Why camp OUT when you can camp IN??

That's what we said when Tropical Storm Danny threatened to wash out the annual Deerfield family camping trip. Luckily for us, this year's trip was to be held in Hope Valley, RI (a mere 4o minutes south of Provy)- and so, with the realization that we would be camping in 2-5 inches of water, the sounds of mama Deerfield's disappointed voice drove us to concoct a desperate plan.

With little more than a half hour we sprung into action and created "Camp Cozy Toes: An Urban Campground". That's right, camping-IN...we pitched tents in various rooms of the apartment, slept in our sleeping bags, cooked outside - and even had s'mores.

On Saturday, the rain kept us mainly indoors watching movies, eating and drinking. Sunday, however, we had a better day and we got to enjoy some time on Aquidneck Island. We had lunch at "Flo's Clam Shack" and walked a good portion of the Cliff Walk along the coast. The giant waves that Danny brought with him made for a good time watching the surfers along Ruggles Avenue. We even had a few minutes to get some ice cream before seeing mom and dad off.

Camp Site #2: Liz + Tony's Tent

Camp SIte #1: Mom + Dad's Tent

Liz and mom, what a cute couple!

Sampling Rhode Island Red Chowder at Flo's Clam Shack.

Mom and dad on the cliff walk.

Iron work gates along the cliff walk.

Some of Danny's big waves.

Invasion of the MEAs!

Megan Elliot Avery and Miles Eli Anthony, that is!

We were fortunate enough to have the entire Middlebury Gemignani brood down in Lil' Rhody for a beautiful weekend full with old favorites and new adventures. It was wonderful to see everyone - here's the proof:

Megan enjoying a stop at the playground with Uncle Tony
on their walk to get the morning bagels.

Megan helping get groceries for dinner - look at her "tiny" cart!

Megan visit's "Lulu's Beauty Salon" to get dolled up for an evening at waterfire.
(Note the alternating red and pink polish selected by Megan herself : ) )

Liz and Rebecca pose with Tony's award winning* gourmet grilled pizza!
(*well, he hasn't exactly won an award - but it's damn good!)

Tony and Megan flying a kite at Brenton Point Park in Newport, RI

Miles says "Fight the Power!", at Brenton Point Park.

Megan, looking especially cute after stuffing her face with chips.

Aren't they just the cutest?!!

Caa---ute! Need I say more?

Gemignanis Take Gotham

The Big Apple has seen a lot of action over the years, but nothing could have prepared it for the whirlwind Gemignani visit. Our friends Jeremy and Tanveer were kind enough to lend us their apartment for the weekend of August 14-16th and we took full advantage with many activities that included, but were not limited to:

• A stroll through Greenwich Village and a quick visit to see Liz's high school friend Cary, his wife Jessica and their new baby Lilah.

• A walk across the world famous Brooklyn Bridge.

• A full day in Central Park, including two opportunities to see Roller Disco
(sadly, Thoth and The Wizard weren't around)

• Exploring the new High Line elevated garden system.

We even had the opportunity to see our gracious hosts for a couple of hours and share a pancake breakfast with them.

John and Mary in Times Square
(after we bagged the Tickets lines - boooo!)

Liz, John and Mary pose for a pic atop the High Line - a new garden path
system made from old elevated train tracks in Chelsea.

The Cornelia Street Cafe - a great little lunch spot in the Village
recommended by Cary and Jessica - yummy, thanks guys!

Mary + Tony walking the HOT summer sun across the Brooklyn Bridge.

A view of the Manhattan Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Gems pose for a Brooklyn Bridge photo op.

A very algae-filled turtle pond in Central Park.

4th of July in Lincoln

We made the pilgrimage back to Lincoln this year for a nice long 4th of July weekend. Our reasons were several: the opportunity to see Megan's new baby brother, Miles; a chance to see Becky & Scott's new crib (no pun intended); the aforementioned couples nuptials; quality time with half the Reston family branch; and the good 'ole Bristol parade.

The bride and groom walking to the alter at the
"big rock" under the "big tree", in the front yard of the Gemignani abode

The newly married couple pose for a picture with their daughter

the flower girl and Justice of the Peace Nancy.

Becky looks on as the Bristol Town 4th of July
parade begins - Miles seems less interested : )

Megan has the best seat in the house atop Scott's tall shoulders.

The old fashioned fire trucks with the old fashioned fire chief.

Zebra Beach: no additional comments available

The Gemignani sisters pose with their new man, Miles.

Iceland: Yee-ow-za!

For all of you who haven't heard ( or those who are just putting up with our new found Iceland obsession), Tony and I recently returned from an epic trip to Iceland. Now don't misunderstand me, there is no exaggeration here - it was truly a trip of saga type proportions. We hiked the tallest glaciers and waded through the coldest waters to bring you the "vrai" Iceland experience. From up close encounters with puffins and sheep - to sweeping lava fields and 600 ft water falls - we saw it all..... just don't ask us to speak Icelandic : )

Here is the link to the more extensive photo gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/deerfieldfamily/sets/72157621111747082/

But if time is of the essence, here are a few pics to tide you over:

The beautiful southern coast of Snaefellnes Pennisula.

Super curious and friendly Icelandic horses.

Puffins!!! (need I say more?)

The lovely couple (after a successful puffin sighting!).

T gazing at the indescribable Jokulsarlon glacier lake.

Liz on the boat amongst the icebergs (in Jokulsarlon).

Jokulsarlon (glacier lake)

A last look back at the Vatnajokull glacier region
in southern Iceland.

The bizarre turf-roof farm houses.