Rochester Trip with Becca,jjj Estella and Brenna

Our trip to New York!  We stayed in a hotel in Rutland (Becca will provide pictures because I didn't take the camera to the pool.  The next morning-

the girls couldn't finish their breakfast so I made a necklace out of their Fruit Loops so when they got hungry they could have a snack.

 One afternoon we went to Hamlin Beach State Park where we have spent many happy hours over theyears along the lake. 

 Becca keeps up with the bike riders on her roller blades.  I heard one father say to his son see she can rider without training wheels. 

 This has been a real blessing to watch Becca after having her hips replaced she can do amazing things.  

 Everyone had so much fun in these old trees.  They have been climbed on for generations.

 They were happy to stay her for a long time. 

 The models!

 On the way back I was convinced I should try the roller blades.  It was funny when Becca had to slow me down while going down a hill.  

 We had a scollop dinner with Mom,  Dad, Charlie, Joy, Jim Anna, Becca, Estella and Brenna!

 Estella is such a ham!

 This was after mom found out the scallops were gone!

 Anna and Jim ride off into the sunset.

 We stayed over night at Matt and Jeanine's home where Becca and Estella got into trouble and had to be controlled by Jeff. 

 Poor Estella was stuck in the back seat.

 You never know the creative things you can do with stickers. 

 This sculpture is full size and very interesting.  It is near Fort Ann.

 We stopped for lunch on Rt 4  at a little hamburger joint.  We ate along the river where the girls wanted to see how nice the water was.  Notice the sequence

 Dry

 Not so dry

 Estella was not afraid to swim and Brenna was in before you could blink.

Look at how quiet and peaceful this river is now.   This is the same river the tore out Rt 4 and destroyed  homes a couple of years ago during a hurricane.

 Brenna was cold after the swim

Fire Warden's Trail AT

This use to be part of the Appalachian Trail when they had  fire warden's actually staying in small camps during the summer.  The old camp is completely gone except for the kitchen sink.  I can't imagine carrying the kitchen sink up here.  The trail is known as a direct trail to the top of Old Speck and for being the most continuously steep  trail on the AT.     

There is no way to do this justice through these pictures.  It is truly so beautiful.

Lois and Don are my two hiking friends.  You never know what trails they will suggest, so it is always a treat to hike with them.  This trail has not been maintained for about 10 years so  when Don takes out his GPS and says OH!  everyone gets nervous.  

If you look closely on the 4th layer of mountains you can see the wind mills.  This is exciting that we are finally getting on board with wind power.  

At this point, we are on our way down, but they line between these two mountains  is what we went up. 

 All the little streams are so clear and cold!

I wish I could provide you with the sound of rushing water that accompanies this photo.

Melissa this one if for you!
The hike took about 6 hours- not that we were rushing.
But the following day I went to my friend Lia's pond, and we swam around the perimeter to help loosen sore muscles.   

Surprise Birthday Present

 What a thrill!!!!!!

Lavena and Tucker brought a box all decorated.  When I opened it -out floated a balloon with a little wicker basket attached!

Lavena  had two tickets for the Great Falls Balloon Festival to ride with Frank Bart the pilot. 

Lavena has been telling me that she had a surprise birthday present for me.  She said I would have to sign a waiver, dress in layers and get up at 3:00am on Sunday Aug 19th.    She also told me that it would be exhilarating and colorful.  That is all she would tell me.  

Notice it is still dark out and a little over cast.

Check out the basked-  it really is wicker and can hold 7 people.  

This has been a dream of mine for a long time.  She has been planning it for several months and it is the first time she has been able to keep a secret.   And what a secret it was.  So exciting!!!!!!!!!!!   

Our pilot is getting in to set up the burners and fuel tanks.

The fan start to fill the balloon until they can start the burner.  It is amazing that the ropes and fabric don't catch on fire.  

The flame goes about 10 feet up inside the balloon.

There were at least 16 balloons flying on Sunday.   It is before 6:00 in the morning.  The sky started to clear and the day was absolutely beautiful.

People hold the balloon down until the riders get in and they fire up the burner.  You would never know you are leaving the ground it is so calm and peaceful.  You must try it!!!

This is our ride.  It landed in a golf course- they exchanged fuel tanks and we got in.   Tucker was only a few feet away and was taking pictures.  

This is what the inside looks like - notice the smily face at the top.  You can also see the flame.  

Our shadow as we take off.  

There we are!  This was so exciting and not frightening at all.  Notice that we have one arm around the up right pole.  There were 5 people in here and we could have had 7.   The man in control has a commercial pilot's license and has been flying 26 years.   He said that this was rated as a 10 flight one of his best ones.  The sky was perfectly clear and it was a mild temperature.     

Notice the shape of the basket.

The only noise was when the burner started up and that was quite loud, but for the most part it was absolutely quiet and peaceful.  I could have stayed up there all day and night.
These are some of our sights.  We took over 300 pictures between Tucker, Lavena and me.  

Notice our shadow on this balloon

We were looking for a moose

Our shadow as we were landing at a horse farm.   You would not even know you had landed it was so perfect. 

We could see the ocean 

This is our pilot.  He said that after he went for his first ride the second ride was in his own balloon and he has flown ever since - 26 years.  

So sad to see all the air out, but it was an awesome ride. 

such a fun adventure
Thank you so much Lavena and Tucker