The City...

Leaving Pennsylvania behind wasn't just about leaving behind the town we lived in, but a rich heritage of East Coast cities close together, easy to visit, and filled with our countries heritage and start.  New York City was a favorite of the kids and I.  Isabella has been the most and would most often cash it in as her reward for accomplishing something big.  It was a 3 hour drive into the city.  We would spend the whole day and then drive home late at night.  She has seen a half a dozen shows, done walking food tours, hit all the major tourist attractions, a couple of the major museums, and just meandered the streets.  Her last trip was on the day I took her to Spain, I scheduled her flight out of JFK.  I hoped for one last girl trip, to tire her out, and put her on a plane to sleep for 7 hours.  The city houses garden centers in little bodegas smaller than my living room, but with every inch covered in plants, 500 kinds of the best foods including pizza and donuts.

Then when we were ready to pick Isabella up from the airport to come home, we scheduled her a late flight in.  Wyatt and I went up for the day.  His tastes were totally different and each child could find a million things to do.  We visited NYU, visited Washington Square Park in the Village, learned about the northward expansion of Manhattan starting North and moving south through SoHo, Tribeca to see Little Italy and Chinatown.  The architecture, the history, the amazing book store, Strand, all the yummy food - Chinatown grocery stores are not for the faint of heart, and ending at the 9/11 museum and memorial were just amazing to do with my little curious boy.  More than anything I miss seeing the diversity in faces.  Because no matter the skin color, you see more concentrated ethnic diversity in the features and personalities of those in the city.  I miss that everyone is unique for their own reason in a perfectly wonderful and celebrated way.  And the icing on the cake, the last few times, I felt like a boss navigating the subway system pretty much anywhere in Manhattan. 

 

 

 

The Beach...

In a long line of goodbyes before the move, we hit the beach another time.  Our normal camping grounds were full and the hassle of camping somewhere new and getting out equipment as we were packing our house was too much.  We found a hotel instead at a new beach, one the kids wanted to see before we left - Atlantic City.

As always beach with the family is fun.  We've hit pretty much everyone in New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.  It will be exciting to see how Gulf beaches compare, but I know the beach won't be a tradition that ends with PA.  I am far too much of a beach bum for that!

The Cabin...

It doesn't really matter if I am sending my daughter to Spain in days, or there is a national holiday in between, or even that days after I send my daughter to Spain we are moving to Texas.

If my sister wants to squeeze in one last visit, I am thrilled.

And if we need to go to the cabin one more time...then that is where we need to be.

 8 years of tradition. 

Denny's on the way up to the cabin. 

Kody when two spotted the sign and shouted from the backseat for it. 

Shocked, laughing, and hungry we obliged.

Every trip since, we are there.

 The park by the grocery store in Renova is a past time from my childhood.

Climbing on the metal igloo, seesaw, swings, and tanks...it was the break away from the cabin as a small kid and continues to be for my kids.

 No visit is complete without a stop on Hyner View. 

Walking out to the hang glider platform for a view and pictures makes life complete.

Man I love my sister.

I love the many memories of our family cabin.

Traditions really are the what make families.

Fourth of July and Family

Just the way it should be.

Patriotism...

Food...

Familly...

Fun...

Fireworks!