Dispatch 2 Family Vacation By Molly

Well, I spent our day in my create while everybody else went shopping and sight seeing.  Dad and Uncle Chris hit the record store where dad apparently found some major scores including a mint copy ‘California Jam Two Live’ on vinyl whatever that is.  Katie picked up yet another Webkinz from O.P. Taylors in Bravard.  Me, I discovered some very interesting smells in the juniper bushes outside the front door and enjoyed each of the opportunities given to me to root around in them.  After a great meal (of which I was able to mooch a few nibblets) and great conversation we all turned in for the night.  Chris and Kim live an enviable life in the peaceful tranquility of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  It's hard to describe how quiet the evenings are there. 

Friday morning, we said our goodbyes, piled into the car, and headed out for  Michele, Eric, Ethan, and some dog named Newman’s home in Fredrick Maryland.  It was a long stretch to drive and by the time we pulled into the driveway, it was 6:00 PM.  I was immediately thrown into my create while everybody else headed over to Toby and Christian Calvo’s house for what appears to be a regular Friday night barbeque where from what they told me, the million kids there all played together while adults yukked it up and consumed  copious amounts of booze late into the night.  I was told that these are some mighty good people Eric, Michele, and Ethan have for neighbors and friends.  I would get to meet them the following night.

While the humans were partying that night, I introduced myself to the portly old man beagle of the house.  I was told he might be ornery, but it turns out that we’ve got quite a bit in common.  His mooching skills, while a bit old school, are quite impressive.

The men spent Saturday golfing and the women and kids went to the pool.  A large, well attended party was thrown in the evening and much merriment ensued.  Old friend and fellow West Point brat Kelly Ripperberger and family made the trip up from VA as well as our bestest friend Lori Crowe from Silver Spring.  More drinks and boisterous behavior that would have bothered all the neighbors if they weren't all there on the back deck with us already.  It was a great night indeed.

More golf and pool hanging today, mooched some leftovers tonight and we’re all pretty wiped out.  Tomorrow, we’ll be heading north once again for Paramus New Jersey to see Grandma, uncles, aunts, cousins, dad’s friend Ted, Rod, and many more.  I will be ready to charm treats as soon as the car door opens in Springsteen land.

I heard dad mutter as he fell asleep tonight, “It’s quite an honor to meet all these amazing people my sister has as friends and am humbled that they so warmly welcomed us into their circle for a couple days”.  Amen to that dad.

Well, onward to New Jersey.  We’ll see you on the other side…

(Man, is it great to be back in the land of high speed internet!!!)