Adams In The Country: 2013

8/15/13

Family Reunion

The last night in New York, all the visiting family gathered at the ice cream shop in town for an impromptu reunion. We all got our ice cream then headed down to the little play ground overlooking the lake. We got this shot of all the current "kids". Wow has the family grown over the years.

Shelburne Museum, Burlington, Vermont

During our day trip we visited the Shelburne Museum near Burlington, Vermont. It is a museum historical buildings from the New England area. The kids really had fun running around the grounds and going into the buildings. Here are some of the highlights...

Grandpa heads to the Ticonderoga, a large cruise steamer paddle boat that once traveled the lake.

The dining room.

The Grand Staircase

This was for the middle class passengers, cabins were only for the wealthy.

The Captain's Cabin

Each year there is a special exhibit, 2012 was the theme "Steam Punk." For those who are unfamiliar with the term Steam Punk typically features steam-powered machinery,especially in a setting inspired by Western civilization during the 19th century. Steam punk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era

Alex found the space ship in the tree & wanted a picture.

Everyone under the steam punk spider outside the exhibit

A replica of H. G. Wells time machine, also seen in the TV show "Big Bang Theory," if you are a fan.

Jake thought this looked like Jimmy Neutron's space ship.

Alex thought this was a cool Darth Vader

The robot cleaning force.

There are many other exhibits and buildings, including a circus museum, round barn, lighthouse, art museum, school house, printer & weavers house, church, blacksmith, general store & apothecary shop. Much too much to see in just one day but we had a great time. You can check it out at www.shelburnemuseum.org

Our First Ferry Ride!

One of the days we were on vacation we took the ferry across Lake Champlain to Vermont for a day of sight seeing. They all enjoyed getting out and looking around during the half hour trip.

This little island has always been called hens & chicks. When the water is lower you can see a few smaller rocks that look like mamas chicks.

This is the view looking back toward New York. The farm once belonged to my family.

2/22/13

Lunch at the Old Dock

There is a great little restaurant in Essex, NY called the Old Dock. We went there for a seafood lunch almost every year we were in New York. There are stories of my mom having an all you can eat shrimp dinner there while pregnant with me, it seems she pushed the "all you can eat" a bit too far & the staff was a bit upset. It has had lots of owners over the years, been under water many times & the place we had Grammie's 80th birthday celebration. I wanted the kids to have the experience as well. They enjoyed sitting outside & watching the ferry come and go even if it was very windy. Afterward was a very nice memorial for Uncle Sid. After that was ice cream at the little shop in Essex & playing at the park.

The traditional "picture spot"

The ferry to Vermont comes & goes while we ate.

The view of Vermont from our table

Our Trip To Upstate New York, June 2012

Last June we made a trip to Upstate New York. My father's family is from the area & it is where we spend nearly every summer of my childhood. Two of my most memorable, wonderful summers were spend up there with my Grandmother & Aunt. Unfortunately we were traveling to the funeral of my grandfathers cousin but we decided it may be one of the few opportunities for the kids to see "up north." It was a wonderful time, though made me miss Grammie.

Bright & early, ready to go!

Alex is thrilled when he hears we are stopping for donuts on the way out!

The "camp" where we stayed. Lots of memories, for many generations, include this home.

Twixtwood, a little cabin behind where we stayed. My sister & I played there with cousins as little girls.

The view of Split Rock on Lake Champlain

The view from Don & Ronnie's porch, Lake Champlain with Vermont in the background.

Sarah checks out the "beach" & is desappointed not to find sand.

Jake was just going to "look at the rocks" & ended up falling in the water.

Well since Jake got wet, Alex had to as well!

Jake is really enjoying the slippery algea on the rocks, ICK!

Well, now that the boys are in the water, Sarah has to go get one of Georgenas old swimsuits & join in.

Jake & Aunt Ronnie search for cool rocks

Grandpa hears about the fun & brings luch down for a picnic at the beach & a dip in the water.

2/12/13

The USS Cod, Cleveland Ohio

In May 2012 we took a trip up to Cleveland with Grandma & Grandpa Couchey. We went to the Science Center as part of a field trip for OHVA and then went to see the USS Cod. It was very interesting, though a bit tricky at times to maneuver through.