LAS VEGAS DEFENSE

While my daughter worked, grandson, Austin and I repaired to Laurie and Ken's house for an afternoon of leisure around their beautiful swimming pool. In Las Vegas, it isn't necessary to heat the pool and the water was heavenly. Laurie threw pool torpedoes in the water for Austin to dive after. He likes to outfit himself like a skindiver with mask and fins.
Little boys are inventive and love to play shark. Grandma was the shark, of course.
For a little guy, Austin is very adept in the water and we had a good game of pool ball catch. I had to drag myself out of the pool, but we snacked, and played ping pong before heading back to Kristanne's for dinner and a movie.

Austin's only brother is 18 and he tends to enjoy older kids. His buddies came over for a sleepover after a picnic and swim in the neighborhood.  Here, there is no need for blankets. The boys giggled and squealed until after 10 p.m. This is what they looked like this morning.

FROM COLD TO SIZZLE

After graduation ceremonies for Alec, my daughter Kristanne drove me to Henderson, Nevada, a few short miles from Las Vegas. Her house had been closed for five days, and the temperature was 106 degrees as we stepped out of the air conditioned car. Shocking to move from cold and rainy Washington, to temperate Mission Viejo, then sizzling Nevada. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

This morning I attempted to download pictures into my daughter's rather ancient computer and blog. The pictures downloaded, but I was incapable of uploading them from her ancient machine into my blog. As Jim says, some days are diamonds and some days are dust. Hopefully by tomorrow, I'll have it all figured out.

I'm caring for my youngest grandson, Austin for a couple days. Its time to be a kid again. Hopefully, I'll have my problem solved by tomorrow.

THE CLAN GATHERS

Our family reunions tend to be long affairs, as much as we can put into a long weekend-plus. And, families can include lifelong friends as well as relatives, we've learned over the years.
Ken, his wife Laurie, three teens and two dogs left Las Vegas at  4 A.M. and arrived around three P.M. Thursday. Over 9 hours of driving with a couple of rest stops.

 Consider totally jet lagged Romain Chemiere, who flew from his native France to Las Vegas and arrived Wednesday. He slept most of the day and evening June 30th, only to be loaded into a car with my son's family for a long road trip yesterday. He is the son of Catherine (Carre) Chemiere. She is the AFS sister to my youngest daughter Virginia.
Romain will spend a month with  family members in the US.

Grandson Stewart was hep. He brought his uke and guitar, so we are in for a treat. He and his brother are both credible musicians.

Son Ken did most of the driving and was stifling yawns and struggling to stay awake.

  Makes you wonder if  dogs suffer jet lag? Probably not. They just seem to go with the flo. They do bark, however, but this pregnant doe browsed the weedy side yard for a snack when all was a bit quiet.

 Deer are pretty common visitors, but the night before, we determined we had a noisy, growling, grunting bear in the yard. Possibly two. Couldn't see  clearly in the dark, to be certain. A neighbor dog inspected the yard with his hackles up for several minutes in the morning. And, every dog in the neighborhood was sounding an alarm. They've been spotted nearby. Its the time of year before the wild blackberries ripen, my orchard isn't fruiting either. Its their hungriest time. They like the compost pile and other succulent plants. We just have to hope they don't like dogs for snacks.

CHAPPAQUIDDICK BRIDGE, WASQUE POINT, MY TOI GARDEN

Saturday, we crossed from Edgartown by ferry to Chappaquiddick Island. Its a small place, mostly dirt roads, and hidden homes. Its easy to see how someone famous could live here and never fear invading tourists. Its necessary to get there by boat or expensive ferry, and bring everything in. Chappy Store, has little to offer but snacks and ice cream and a sense of humor.

 Chappy Store is surrounded by broken down cars that people didn't want to pay to haul away. Now, there are laws preventing that. You bring it in, you take it out.

The dirt roads and low traffic make it a great place to bike ride. Our first stop was Wasque Pt. Its an  ecological area under protection for its unique plants and insects that survive in the salt marshes of glacially deposited sands. Fire prevents pitch pine from taking over, something learned from the local indian populations that inhabited the island for thousands of years.

Beaches are very private. You have to park and walk through the low growing salt loving plants to get to them at Wasque Pt.

The tar pines invade where the area is unprotected by controlled burning.

Our next stop was the Chappaquiddick Dike Bridge where Ted Kennedy drove off the side. It is closed to all who don't have "sand" vehicles. We hoped to visit all five lighthouses on Marthas Vineyard. The Cape Poge Lighthouse sits on the point of Chappaquiddick and we weren't able to cross over. The bridge has been rebuilt after that incident and now has heavy duty guard rails. Marthas Vineyard is part of Duke County, which is a dry county. However, drinking isn't against the law. You can bring it in, you just can't buy it here. Being dry may be one of the reasons the island is so relatively crime free.

On the Dike Rd. is My Toi, a Japanese strolling garden. It has public restrooms as well. The garden was built by Hugh Jones and while planting it he referred to it as "my toy." Thus, the metaphoric name. It has ponds, bridges, a dripping bamboo water fall, some rhododendrons in bloom.

The ponds have koi, snapping turtles and painted turtles, plus goldfish. We didn't see any. Its a restful place. Outside of the garden is a place to put air in your tires, heavily used. We talked to a fellow traveler with Washington State license plates filling his tires, (below). He has a place on the island. People let air out of their tires to cross over the bridge, qualifying their vehicle as a "sand" vehicle. Then they refill their tires at this spot.

Across the road from My Toi is a walking trail to visit the the Poucha Pond with vistas of the salt marsh and beaches. If you go, bring your walking shoes.

Sometimes the ferry has to fight the currents to make the crossing. We watched as  two ferries were working to miss each other in the strong wind and current.

EDGARTOWN PEAK AND OFF SEASON

Being on the Island during off peak season has some advantages. Parking regulations are not enforced, even though signs indicate otherwise. We can park without fear of a ticket, the nice man told us as we watched him place a notice on the Bronco. Parking regulations will be back in affect starting next weekend. Hmmm, interesting.  Parking, so far, has been relatively easy. This lovely town of 3,379 population increases to over 100,000 during the peak season. Its nice to be here without a frenetic pace, even if hours are kind of crazy in June.

Our first stop, the visitors center, in this beautiful old building, was still closed. Staffed and run by the Marthas Vineyard Preservation Association Trust, it sits on a beautiful downtown site with the Whaling Church, and Vincent House. All three buildings are part of the trust.

We soon learned the Whaling Church is now a performance arts center. It opens later in the season at 10 a.m. We were unsure if it is by tour or just to look through. The Vincent House, (below) is only open to guided tours from 11 to 2, Mondays through Fridays, all year. It was still closed. There must be a reason that weekenders are not encouraged. Perhaps it is run by volunteers. It was nice to look at them, even so. The Vincent House is the oldest house on the island, built in 1641. Many buildings in the historic main section of town are on the historic register, all indicated by a brass plaque. Its a comfortable walk around the narrow, shaded streets to see them.

 The Marthas Vineyard Museum is here in Edgartown. It features Veterans that came from the Island, and personal stories from folks who settled here. It was interesting to note that blacks, who were treated equally by Islanders, found rampant prejudice when they joined the service. Black soldiers had to gang up to protect themselves from drunken white soldiers on liberty. When caught, whites were shipped out, the blacks went to the brig.

In the days when residents lived far apart, this peddler's wagon brought the "store" to the residents. A period that didn't last long, the wagon too often got stuck on the muddy dirt roads, or mired in deep sand.

This curious artifact is a lightening rod that sits atop all lighthouses. Its been struck, cracked and scarred.

By now, we know for certain, there are no stop lights on this Island. The usual speed limit is 25 miles per hour. People are quite courteous on the road.  
We visited a couple of galleries, shops, rugs, baskets, bags, scarves, clothing, not as expensive as you might think considering that every delivery truck has to pay a premium to ferry onto the island.
The gallery owners are very helpful and easy to talk too. Art here IS expensive. Hours, variable. Sculpin Gallery opened at 12:30, was closed by 3.
Once a working whaling harbor, big ship tie ups, still sprout through the sidewalks.

We took the On Time Ferry over to Chappaquiddick. Named the On Time because it only ran when people lined up and waited. It scooted the two minutes from one side to the other. It still operates that way, and therefore,  always on time.

We watched Ferry On Time-I and On Time II operate for awhile. And then reduce to one ferry when things slowed down. From the Chappaquiddick side we got a great view of the harbor and Edgartown Lighthouse.

Edgartown is one of five working lighthouses that protect boat traffic from the island.

A fish shanty here is a very  different affair from a shanty at Menemsha. I favored the Menemsha fishing village for its character, solitude, earthiness, smells; its real working atmosphere and food. 

 If you have a day, or a weekend, Edgartown has much to offer. Good shopping, original choices, wonderful people, good, diverse art, antiques, restaurants, and architecture. Do it. Don't wait.

NEW ENGLAND SPECIALTIES

New England specialties for Jim is getting to see his cousins, Bob and Donna Parker of Dartmouth. 
The south has nothing on New England when it comes to hospitality. Bob and Donna have made it a point to make sure we are comfortable, (we're parked in their yard)  and that I get to taste everything New England has to offer and then some.First they introduced us to their favorite fish market in a pouring rain. You need to be first in the door, Bob told us. He is a retired school teacher but his sideline was lobstering. He educated me roundly on lobsters, oysters, tools, quahogs, star fish, sea shells, their uses and more.

 Months before we arrived in Jim's old stomping grounds, he had been hankering for a real, live Maine lobster with his cousin Bob and a real French meat pie. Donna, also a retired school teacher, still works part time as a consultant and her specialty is a clam boil. So she got all the ingredients for a clam boil. Jim, of course, has tasted all these wonders before. I'm the newby. On the way home from the fish market, Donna took us to meet her  teacher friend, Dave, whose sideline is making Portuguese meat pies and gravy, a local specialty. We bought some to take home.

First, she soaks the clams in deep water with salt to spit out the sand. Floaters are tossed. Donna puts lingueisa, hot dogs, and pork sausages in net bags. Then arranges the potatoes on the bottom. The clams layer next with the meat to the side. The clams need room to open. The onions and corn on top. Seasoned with garlic power, pepper, and salt. About 2 inches of water to steam everything for 45 minutes.

 Then Donna brought out a stuffed quahog to snack on while we waited for the clams to boil.  When she makes them the clam is ground with the juice and onions, peppers, parsley, bread and seasonings. Yum.

 Bob then taught me how to properly prepare a lobster for the pot. You prop it on its claws and pet it until it sleeps. Then when it goes into the pot, it won't move and all the juice stays in the tail. 

I thought he was teasing, but its true. They will remain in position and die instantly when their heads hit the water.  So, we sat for the feast.

Sometime between fish market and feast, Donna went out and found a French meat pie and surprised Jim with it.  So, we feast again another day and compare meat pies.

 There is a large Portuguese population in the area. Donna, who is half Portuguese, came to the door on  Sunday morning with a special treat from her favorite bakery, a loaf of Portuguese Sweet Bread and a meltingly delicious doughnut called a "mollie". Foodies like me live for moments like this.

We are becoming so spoiled. I can't wait for them to visit California so I can return the favor.
This may be dirty pool, but while Donna was went back to the car in the rain, Bob held her purse. And good sport that he is, he let me take this dashing picture of him.

A FRIENDLY TOWN, IVORYTON

Living on the road, you depend on service people you don't know. These nice ladies at Hair Etc, in Ivoryton,  took me as a walk in, gave me a great haircut,  and then gave me information about good restaurants in the area.
I chuckle when I think about it because they were so enthusiastic and friendly and helpful. Even the customers were suggesting places for us to eat. In the end, they collectively decided one place would fit my agenda, Harbor Seal.  The shop's owner had Heather, a customer, write down detailed  instructions, while she was getting her hair combed.  Its music for an out-of-towner to find such caring assistance and I appreciate those folks who cheerfully bent over backwards to help me find the perfect place to eat.

  This friendly gent allowed me to take a picture of him getting ready to board his bike. I liked the license plate, SMOKIN. Way to go, Gramps.

And here you can have a Teeter-Totter on a playground.  No one worries these kids will hurt themselves. (They've been banned from playgrounds in California.) Most likely, someone got hurt, and sued, and the insurance companies will no longer insure them. I resent that insurance companies lobby to make their reach into our pockets indispensable and then alter our lives by coding what we can and can't have.

We spent most of the day cleaning the motor home in and out. Its a travel day for us as we head to Newport, RI. Maybe. I left my camera in the restaurant last night. We were helping Jim and Wendy Jaillet celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary.  
 

REMEMBERING

Memorial Day, Wendy Jaillet and daughter Jaime marched 3 miles in the Essex Memorial Day Parade, near Ivoryton. Wendy is a girl scout trip leader. I bought a poppy, forgetting that they still do that. I hadn't seen a vet selling poppies since moving to Murphys.
This county put their flags at half staff for a local man who recently died in Afghanistan.
I'm conflicted because I'm against wars as a way of solving problems because it causes so much pain and sacrifice. The cost is not only human carnage. Right now, the trillions spent on our current conflict could more productively be used to assist nation building and lower our national debt.
Remembering those who served and sacrificed? On this trip since January,  I've visited Fort Bowie in Arizona, The huge Pacific War Museum at Fredericksburg, Texas, Chalmette Battlefield, the Cabildo, Port Hudson and the LaFitte National Parks of Louisiana, covering the Revolutionary War of 1776, The War of 1812,  The Spanish American War and the Civil War. More Civil War battlefields in Gettysburg, PA, and Harpers Ferry in W.Virginia. War is a vivid culture of countries, men and politics like no other.
In short, Memorial Day reminds me of the service and sacrifice made by our armed services and many civilians as well, but it also reminds me of the killing machine going on right now. I despise that it is deemed  necessary. I sometimes think my friends believe people who are anti-war are unpatriotic. Not true. Patriotism is as much about keeping the peace as it means fighting for our country's values. Defining those values is not a straight street, and I take it very personally.

My partner Jim Jaillet in 1961.   

PICNIC AND A BARN LOAD OF BOOKS

Yesterday, the weather was beautiful, Eric The Man had two ball games in a tournament, so everyone gathered at Groton Park for a bit of rest, fun and food between games. Joceylyn Jaillet used the time to burrow into a book. She kind of reminds me of myself at age 15.

And, on the subject of books, how do you peruse 350,000 books? Niantic, Connecticut has a famous book store, that has turned into three stores.
The main barn is not the whole story. Building after building has been added around the spacious garden grounds filled with every imaginable book.  Friendly benches, a children's play area, several friendly cats, tables, coffee, cookies, flowers, settees invite you to linger and relax. Things are wonderfully organized in cozies, new items, old items; political or photography; children's or teen's. you might find one copy filed in fiction and the same book filed in poetry if it has both.

I found a copy of my newest favorite book, Bel Canto, so now I can return the one loaned to me by a friend. That, and a bagful of others. If your bag gets heavy, staff provides a cubby to hold your books while you continue your search. Jim needed help to lug his big box of books out to the Bronco. Oh, such hidden pleasure in those pages

Helpful, plentiful staff, and if you get tired of looking, you can always rest your eyes and throw a few balls into the basketball hoop in one of the courtyards, or stop for a game of chess or checkers.

Folks here have a great sense of humor. Every sign has at least one funny line. This place is such a treasure. The hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Open every day of the year except Christmas and Thanksgiving.

ERIC THE MAN AND THE GREAT WILLIAM GILLETTE

William Gillette may have something over Eric Jaillet, but not in this family. We attended Eric's baseball game early Saturday morning. He plays catcher, and third base. First up, first pitch of the game, he hit a single and ran it home.
Eric is 12 years old and plays for a team that ramps that ball around like a fast pitching pro team. Its not the Little League my kids grew up with. I was on the edge of my seat watching these kids field, pick up that ball,  and blast it to the base; no missed catches; everyone on point; disciplined to their position; never missed a cue. Just like the pros. WOW!
Eric went on to make a double play and a home run. The opposing team had a better pitcher, but his team, The Gamers, won by a strong lead.

Here the team pummels and praises a fellow player after a home run. These are 12, 13 and 14 year olds. I felt like I was watching the pro players of tomorrow enroute.

Eric playing catcher while the opposing team is up. The pitchers, on both teams, cover the catcher when he chases a foul ball. The pitcher and catcher watch those batters trying to steal a base. Batters watch for a hole in the field; Eric says if the fielders step back, he tries for a line drive. If they come forward he hits to the outfield. These kids know where to hit that ball to bring runners home. Fantastic discipline and dedication for young people who love this game.

In this advanced league, you hear no complaints about the umpire's calls, from kids, coaches or parents. Everyone is civil and professional. They have base coaches on the field. Sportsmanship and civility are practiced here. The teams high five each other as they leave the field at the end of the game. They've learned the important art of winning and losing gracefully.

 Yes, there is proud dad and grandpa at the end of the game. But, Eric, is THE MAN.

 After the game, Jim and I visited the nearby Gillette Castle State Park.
 Gillette and Jaillet are pronounced the same way. William Gillette was an actor/playwright who perfected and personified the role of Sherlock Holmes. He wrote the plays and gave personality to Watson, making memorable the  phrase, "Elementary my dear Watson." It was his hawk like profile that is the rememberable and thereafter copied vision of Holmes, along with his choice of the hat and pipe. He wrote a novel, invented many stage tricks, props and lighting techniques. And, he made a lot of money.

 He was born in Hartford, CT. but decided to retire to this beautiful area in the Seven Sisters mountain range next to the Connecticut River at East Haddam, CT. He designed and had built a medieval looking stone castle in 1919-1924. It took twenty five craftsmen five years to complete the structure.

As fascinating as the rough hewn rock castle is, the inside is innovative and quirky as well. Gillette invented a sliding table on runners; mirrors strategically located can check on his guests in various places in the house; secret stairs allowed him to make a surprise entrance where he was least expected; The guy was obviously a bit eccentric, but practical too. He had a system of piped water all through the house and a ceiling sprinkler system that could be set in motion at the pull of a handle in the event of fire.

  The 24 room castle had 47 carved wooden doors, no two alike. Even the electric light switches were carved wood. He designed a carved wooden apparatus to turn out the light over his bed.

It was difficult to believe the apparatus above is light switches. The castle has beautiful grounds, a huge, free picnic area near a small lake, hiking trails and remnants of his fascination with trains, a station, some of the original 3 miles of track and a couple of engines in the visitors center. The castle tour has a charge. It has sisal wall paper, carved wainscoting, stained glass pieces, giant fireplaces, an indoor waterfall, and his original beds, china and books. For anyone interested in wood carving or stone work, this is a must see.

After the castle visit, Jim and I took the ferry to Chester, drove to Essex, had lunch and visited the Connecticut River Museum. More on that tomorrow.