Poconos and Lake Ganoga

As we drove from Philly to the Poconos, we lost our cell coverage, and all wi-fi connections. I was annoyed. My new i-phone became inert and useless. Then, after 4 days in the old Ricketts Estate

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~pasulliv/sullivancountyfolk/scf3/Ricketts.htm with 7 other Swarthmore-connected families, I didn't miss my technological disconnection at all. I found a stronger, and deeper connection through friends and nature. The fog came in each morning and burned into blue sky each day. We hiked a national forest with 7 waterfalls, count them, 7. Steve Toy made amazing endless cocktails; Robbie O. and Jin (forgive my spelling) kept us fortified with amazing dishes; Lady Karen shared mouth-watering hand-made Maryland crab cakes; Fergie spinned non-stop groovy tunes; Paul and Whit opened their home and cabin to all and cleaned up our mess; and the kids swam, kayaked (even little E), ran in great green fields, and played happily (mostly) together. It was so great to spend quality time with women I admire and enjoy so much, Whit, Susie, Colleen and new friends Christie and Karen. Hope we can do it again...

Santa Monica to Northport, MI

It has only been one month since we departed California. It feels like six. After our movers packed up the house on a Monday, they took it all away the following day. I was thankful that Emerson could spend those two days at his preschool across the street while all his toys were packed into 100 boxes.

We spent our last night in Santa Monica at our dear friends house. Then, a redeye

flight brought us into Chicago early where Kevin left us for business meetings. Emerson and I got on a second, and much smaller plane to Traverse City, MI, to visit Amy and his best buddy Teddy!

We landed at the Cherry Capitol airport and drove along gorgeous Lake Michigan to Northport Point, (see borrowed image from wikipedia) and Amy's "new" summer home - a 20s cabin. It was amazing to see Amy and Teddy (who upon seeing Emerson did his break-dance routine), Silja - who is now walking! - and meet their Finnish au pair, Nora. Time flew once there. Kevin joined us for the weekend. We did fireworks (to E's and T's dismay), antique shopped, cooked, the boys had Fairy School, and we played a little golf. The cabin was last updated in the 50s (no dishwasher!) and it is located right on the beach. They will restore the cabin to its Craftsman glory - it will be amazing. I can't wait to see them again...