After a full week of rain here in western Massachusetts, the weekend produced clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine. Perfect for a host of activities happening here in the Pioneer Valley.
For us, the weekend meant celebrating our daughter Jeanne’s birthday and Father’s Day. Jeanne and her boyfriend Chris arrived Friday evening in time for the annual birthday cookout. The last remaining raindrops held off long enough for Chris to fire up the grill and cook hot dogs, hamburgs, and sausage. We had to eat indoors, but the food tasted just as good – and the company was terrific. Birthday dessert for Jeanne is always homemade strawberry shortcake, made extra delicious with juicy, sweet strawberries from Leo and Anita Aloisi’s Hanging Mountain Farm in Westhampton.
Saturday’s activities included a hike to the Chesterfield Gorge, ending at the Black Birch Winery where we relaxed over a glass of wine and enjoyed the magnificent view of the Holyoke Range. The day ended with a Father’s Day chicken barbecue, more strawberry shortcake, and gifts to unwrap.
The dogs enjoyed just hanging out with us all weekend, happy to finally get out to play and hunt in their back field that had been off-limits all week due to the heavy rain.
When Jeanne and Chris departed early Sunday afternoon, I finished packing my suitcase for an eight day trip to Boulder, CO, and San Francisco, CA. With our Reading Buddy Program ended, and our summer partnership with The Eric Carle Museum starting up on July 7th, I have a window of opportunity to travel and visit with our daughter Eve and her family, then on to visit with our youngest daughter Margie and her husband Jay. Four days in each of these great cities.
As much as I try to conceal my suitcase from the dogs… THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS UP. They know me so well. They can read my mind. They’ll be home with Al, who has warned them that they are in for a week of Boot Camp. He always kids them about that when I head out on a trip. I know he enjoys the opportunity to take care of them himself… they’ll have a ball.