Wow…I have been off kilter for a while..no reason, just was, maybe still am a bit. However, I do have a lot to say about the past few weeks, so here goes.

After returning from Dave Sloan’s celebration of life we had about a month and change of not too much. I did play a pretty good round of golf three weeks back, first time since my trip to NC in March, played pretty well, but the bigger thing was I played alone and after the cataract surgery was able to see the flight of the ball for the first time in what seems like forever. Then the final planning for our trip back to CT this time, a vacation of sorts (I know, that’s tough to swallow when being retired is like being on a permanent vacation). We were loaded with events on the calendar and they all proved to be fun and tiring at the same time.

First off: We found the BEST pet/house sitter so that really was a relief after the less than satisfactory person we used back at Thanksgiving. Then the drive to Savannah Airport was laughably simple and quick, parking a few hundred feet from the terminal even easier and get this….10 days parking, a total of $47….yup that’s it…Both of us have TSA pre check so that was easy as well, then there is a small “club” we waited in out of the main flow. Avelo airlines, new, non stop, no frills but terribly efficient. We ran into none of the horrible delays that many are experiencing. The flight took off on time, less than 2 hours in the air, landing in New Haven, the Turo rental car seemlessly delivered to us, and off to Wilton

We arrived at Tori’s and shortly after set out for dinner at Luc’s in Ridgefield (another favorite that we miss). We were joined by Laura, Tracy, and Amy and it was as good as we could have hoped. The next day was spent relaxing, running some errands including something else we really, really miss down here…a fabulous pedicure…there are a million places here in Bluffton/HH but NONE come even close to our old favorite in Wilton, that was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Leg massage/chair massage etc.. Then one of the big reasons for the trip..Tori’s 60th birthday celebration at Rowayton Seafood arranged by our “guy” Josh and up in the Crow’s Nest. The food, the company and the wine were wonderful and flowing…Same folks as at Luc’s with the addition of Jill, Nelle, Paul and Dan.

Wednesday after a morning of “recovery” (Nelle graciously went to Uncle Leo’s to get Bagels and BEC sandwiches for breakfast), we headed up to Jill’s house where she opened her fabulous pool along with Bloodies and laughs and music. That evening was punctuated with dinner at Bailey’s Backyard in Ridgefield another fabulous afternoon and evening. We then headed down to Silvermine where we checked into the Inn at Grey Barns for the remainder of our stay. They now have three “apartments” over the Mercantile that were perfect for us. Comfortable, well equipped, washer/dryer and convenient!

Thursday we both went for long walks enjoying the fact that while it is summer and it is hot in CT, it is NOT like being hit in the face with a soaked beach towel the way it is in SC at this time of year, that led to may great remembrances of why we liked CT…the incredible charm of the old homes, walking on roads that we carriage roads a few hundred years ago, rock walls that in some cases are even older than the roads and just a special feel. We were scheduled to have dinner that night with another couple at the Tavern at Grey Barns however, Covid did rear it’s ongoing ugly head and they were unable to attend due to one having tested positive, so Tori pinch hit and, yet another wonderful meal was enjoyed by all, along with their spectacular cocktails and wines.

Friday again began with another great neighborhood walk in Silvermine and then dinner at the Cottage in Wesport with Pat Rosen. More great food, more great wine, more great catching up…

Saturday…I had the great pleasure to spend a few hours with one of the best guys on the planet…WineBob and then as if it couldn’t get any better.Tori threw another party keeping the birthday vibe going at her house. More laughs, gin, tonic, wine, music, laughs, herbal items.

Sunday: A slow morning, some Fred and then off to NJ to spend the day with Drew, Vicki, their girls Maeve, Ryleigh, Ellie, and Kate, Jon and their daughter Mara. We spent the afternoon at Drew/Vicki’s swim club where Sue got to use the slide and the diving board, and were we found that Ellie (the youngest of the lot) , is so water infatuated that I think she should be on a surfboard NOW!!…fearless and full of wonder. Then it was off to a local brewery to wrap up the day with pizza and various beverages. Talk about sensory overload…I think my age did show up for the first time that day…while the rest of the gang was waiting on a long line for ice cream after dinner, I slid across the street to Starbucks for some coffee as I was still facing the drive back to CT and was dragging…(yup old…) Having young children is a young person’s game…glad I was young when I did it…It was a hoot!! (but exhausting)

Monday the show kept moving…we went to Elm Street Oyster house in Greenwich for lunch and had a great time with Ashley and Dan and Krista who we also miss terribly…(yes, there were Bloodies involved)..then off to Greenwich Prime Meats for some Salad and Onions and shrimp for dinner and Laura and Tracy joined in and we sipped wine (notice the themes here..) and talked and laughed…

Tuesday was the wrap party so to speak…we went to lunch at Overton’s (another waterfront Norwalk institution) did laundry and got set up for the next day of travel. Then with Tori along, we went down to Port Chester, had a great dinner at a little Italian gem (TandJ’s ) a half block from the Capitol Theater where we were headed to see Counting Crows that night. What a fabulous show and an incredible wrap to an amazing trip…the opener, btw, Stephen Kellogg was incredible as well…no clue why I’ve never heard him before but I will certainly listen now. It was round midnight by the time we actually got to bed.

Wednesday morning…8/3…5 AM alarm….our 20th anniversary (talk about poor planning…)…off to Tweed New Haven airport…again a seamless trip…flight actually landed about 20 minutes early, was only 2/3 full, we had the row to ourselves, took less than 15 minutes to get our bags and then another hysterically simple drive back. Realizing we were in no shape to go out to dinner, we opted to pick up a steak on the way home (I grilled it and we barely stayed awake)…however I did open a very special bottle of wine…in their entire history, Silver Oak has only made the wine they call SIX 4 times, I was lucky enough to get a bottle the last time they did make it (a 2014 vintage), it made the journey from CT to SC safely and thought yesterday the appropriate day to open it…it was simply spectacular…and a wonderful way mark a very special anniversary…(yes, Mr. Clemmons…when life gave us a choice we drank the good wine).

So, some reflections on this trip…while we are incredibly grateful for what we have and what we have been able to do this past year, we both continue to realize that there are plenty of people/places/experiences/events we miss terribly…the original goal was to be able to live in two places going back and forth seasonally taking in the best of both, unfortunately the realities of life and careers as two teachers kinda put the kibosh on that. So we will continue to enjoy what we have and explore ways to visit and have visitors and spend as much time as we can making each moment special.

This is a big 12 month period….Sue: 60, me 70 in 10 days, Us 20 yesterday…damn, time flies…