Travel Plans Taking Shape

 After getting home from Cape Cod, I took a nice long walk the next morning and noticed two geese saying hello to a heron. I indulged a bit on vacation so a 5 mile walk was needed.

Water birds on the pond.



Later in the evening I met a group of ladies at the Tree House Brewing Company to discuss ski travel next winter. I knew 3 of the women, but there were 4 others I was meeting for the first time. I just listened as they discussed possible plans, but ultimately decided not to travel with them. I am picky about who I travel with and there were just too many unknown factors, plus one ski trip to colder climates will be enough for me.

You can tell by the sky it's been cloudy and rainy and chilly!



The brewery is huge, with seating both indoors and out for hundreds of people.
We enjoyed cocktails and pizza.

The next day I met with Geri and Peggy, who I'm going to Norway with in March, to finalize our plans. We booked hotels and airfare for most of the trip. They are coming to my house next week to work out the last 3 nights of travel with a tour company from Norway. We're flying out of Boston to avoid the travel glitches that seem to be plaguing Newark lately.

The Ireland trip in July is now set with airfare and travel plans in place. I am renting a car with Tom, Mike, and Jeff to get us to Boston where we're catching a flight to Shannon airport. Who are Tom, Mike, and Jeff? I traveled with Tom and his wife on the river cruise two summers ago. His wife was supposed to be on this trip but she had recent surgery, so Tom's friend Mike is taking her place. I biked with Mike last summer so I'm familiar with him. Jeff (I think that's his name) is an executive chef at a local restaurant who I met a few days ago on a shake out bike ride. He seems nice enough. We'll meet Janice and George in Boston and will be a little group of six on the bike tour. After biking for 7 days,  we all head to Dublin to see the sights there. Then Tom, Mike, Jeff, and I fly back to Hartford CT, rent a car and drive home. Janice and George are heading on to Portugal for a Douro River cruise. They asked me to join them, but I declined. I can't possibly leave the garden for that long! 

Monday and Tuesday I rode my bike 60 miles over 3 bike trails. The first 20 miles was from Schenectady to Pattersonvile with Charlene,  Ernie, Patty and Sue Ellen. It was unremarkable but a very nice day on the Mohawk River. I took no photos. 

Then that afternoon I met Janice, George, Tom, and Jeff to practice for the Ireland trip. It was clear I needed no practice as it was the first ride of the year for Janice and Jeff, and Tom rides regularly on an e-bike. I really could have used a power button on my bike as I approached 40 miles for the day. 

Tom, George, and Jeff on the trail in front of me and Janice. We're meeting again next 
week for another ride and dinner.

The clouds were just beautiful!

The next morning I met Patty, Charlene, Jill, and Ernie for a ride to the Cohoes Falls on another gorgeous day. I was very tired of biking after 60 miles in 24 hours. So gardening was my plan for the next two days. 

The crew at the falls.



Again on Tuesday the clouds caught my attention.

I mowed, dug up shrubs, planted and transplanted seedlings and new plants and just tired myself out on Wednesday and Thursday. 


Verbascum "honey dijon" I got at the Berkshire Botanical plant sale.

Today I asked Dale to go to White Flower Farm and she agreed as she had never been. We spent the day looking at plants we wanted, ones we've never seen, and just enjoying their amazing gardens. We stopped for lunch of course and chatted endlessly about nothing and everything. Now I can't wait to get back in the garden and plant the new Penstemon and Heuchera I bought.

A very showy bearded iris in the display garden. If it was for sale I would have bought it.


Me and Dale at the farm.

It's Saturday morning now and is expected to rain most of the day so I'll busy myself with inside chores.

Comments

  1. MargaretMay 30, 2025 at 11:38 PM

    The trips are SO exciting and they are two places I would love to visit! Most of your photos aren't showing up. It just says Image preview and then a description. I can only see the first two. Perhaps it's on my end though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maureen MMay 31, 2025 at 6:25 AM

    Thanks! The photo problem is on my end and I think I just figured it out. Now I have to reload all the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  3. PamJune 1, 2025 at 11:43 AM

    Goodness me, you're energetic! Sounds like a great trip, though. I've never been to Ireland apart from a long weekend in Dublin.

    ReplyDelete

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