Burlington and before

(To be posted when I have a connection)
September 12, 2007
8:09pm

We don’t have internet at the Motel 6, so there hasn’t been much chance to post. Of course, you probably haven’t missed us. But to us, a lot has happened. This will be a big post to catch up a bit. I’ve decided that we’ll turn this blog to a book after we’re done (Thanks, Alli, for the tip!), so it has become a journal. So, too bad if you’re bored! Don’t read! ☺

I don’t know if Matt will blog about the Soccer Hall of Fame. Though I wasn’t there, I want to say that it was great for both kids, Eleanor especially. She really was pumped from it. Matt said that it equally represented women and men. The effect was empowering for Eleanor.












Some impressions of Cooperstown—the scenery was amazing. Even with bad weather, we really appreciated how beautiful it is there. However, the homogenous rich, white, male culture there was not what we like. While working in a deli, I thought, “I do not belong in this town.” A long side story is the letter I wrote to the deli that I was sitting in explaining why “Slap Yo’ Mama Silly Chili” is offensive. It’s more than that though, the whole vibe of the town was not for us.

We had a lot of rain during the drive from Cooperstown to Burlington. We stopped along the way at Saratoga National Historic Park, which Eleanor called “surprisingly boring.” She noted that she likes history, but not this place. Between stopping at Saratoga and doing the Baseball Hall of Fame (and my working) in the morning before leaving Cooperstown, we really didn’t have time for the Adirondacks. We drove through the far eastern side to get to Vermont. It was raining with low clouds. In addition, the drive included an emotional breakdown for Calvin and crabbiness from me, so “just getting there [Burlington]” was the goal. We didn’t even begin to appreciate the park. Maybe we’ll get to it another time.

After the emotional breakdowns of the drive up here, we decided that the kids would plan today. (Thanks to Lisa for this idea!) We went to the Ben and Jerry’s Factory tour. As we got out of the car Calvin said, “Now this is what I’m talking about!” He started taking pictures as we walked up the stairs to the factory. Both kids had fun, but Calvin was thrilled. The factory grounds include a “Flavor Graveyard,” which was really funny. Matt and I actually mourned the loss of some flavors. (Remember Rainforest Crunch? Bovinity Divinity?) (Eleanor took this picture for Aunt Peggy. Click to make it bigger.)





In the afternoon, we went to Burlington and Lake Champlain. (Our Motel 6—a very nice one—is outside town.) We walked along the boardwalk. The lake is beautiful. (Again, thanks to E for the pic.) We also went to the public library (Calvin’s idea) and a playground (Eleanor’s idea).

Have I mentioned that everywhere we go there are hardly any people? Just us and a few old and/or foreign people. At the Farmers’ Museum, Soccer Hall of Fame, Ben & Jerry’s there were no other kids there! With no kids anywhere, ours get to do every interactive activity easily and as many times as they like.

And one last thing- Jumping on beds is really fun!