Stan and I took a long weekend vacation to visit with John and his family in Boston for his birthday on February 15. It was a chilly day in Denver with snow flurries predicted. By noon the snow swirled in the wind around the planes as we waited at the airport gate for our turn to board. All waiting passengers boarded quickly then waiting another hour for our turn to de-ice the plane. Better to wait then risk adversity in mid-air.
We arrived safe and sound to Boston. John and Anya greeted us happily. Anya is now age four and a big chatter-box. She remembers us through frequent visits over the years and willing talks with us. She is such a delight.
The next morning we loaded up a mini-van for a weekend trip to the picturesque ski resort of Waterville Valle in New Hampshire. It was so nice of Deb to let us use her condo for the weekend. The views of the birch and pine forest along creeks with frozen ice and snow made my day. What a pleasure to escape TV and constant internet use. It is amazing how tied we are to being connected on-line. The cable TV wasn’t working well for this weekend so we were free of news and other distractions that hog our daily lives.
Anya was busy coloring and playing with Barbies. I didn’t even own a Barbie when I grew up. I had one doll that I remember named Cecil. He was a little boy doll with a smooth head with painted on slicked down hair. He had one set of coveralls and a little shirt that I would dress and undress from time to time. Another doll I had was an 18″ walking doll named Saucy Sandy. My mom had made her a few cute little outfits including a woolen coat and hat. She had silky yellow gold hair that was braided on each side. To this day I have never taken those braids out so the hair wouldn’t be tangled.
I spent time with Anya combing through Barbie’s hair while she dressed and re-dressed them with those deft little fingers. I have no idea how people make these little outfits and all their trim.
We went to cozy places for dinner. Wild Coyote had oscar mushrooms on a succulent veggie burger. Others had buffalo meatloaf, batter sauteed zucchini with chicken and veal ribs. It was the best in a setting with a view of the ski mountain and a giant evergreen adorned with sparkling white lights.
The next day we walked through the nearby village square wrere people were busy renting skis to cross-country ski along the many paths along the river. We went upstairs to story time at the Curious George Museum. The author, Margaret H. A. Rey, of these popular children’s books, had lived in Waterville Valley. The children sat quietly listening to several stories. There was a fun wall toy that had modules with magnates on the back of each piece that attach to a painted metal wall. Each eight inch square module was different; some were mazes and others had fans and other channels like old fashioned pinball machines. The kids could put a ball in the top of the toy that they had built and the balls would maneuver down the channels into a bucket at the bottom. All the kids vied for space and balls in a rush to make this toy work.
In the same area was an indoor ice rink. Young kids age twelve and up were having a hockey tournament over of the weekend. These kids really go after it. There were mostly boys, but one little number 12 caught out eye as she scurried around batting the puck with the best of the boisterous teammates.
Next morning we went to Benton sugar stack in Thornton, New Hampshire. They had the best homemade bread and maple syrup. Stan mentioned that we have lots of the implements from my parents’ family that were hanging on the walls and shelves of the quaint restaurant.
Back to Boston in a snow storm to 3 -4 inches of snow on the walkway and driveway. Now back to TV and constant internet.
Anya treated us to a little dancing as she tried on a new dress from Grandma. She was graceful and full of energy.
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