Next we took Shawn and flew to see my parents in Upstate New York. We stayed with them for a week, while Skylar went to photograph a wedding back near home. While in New York, Gary and I took Shawn shopping to prepare for summer camp, we went bowling, to the library, to the Erie Canal, and I took him to the trampoline park. We visited a university and Shawn toured the very impressive engineering department. We had a lot of fun with my parents relaxing, watching movies and sharing meals. And lots of ice cream.
In mid June we left town with my parents to take Shawn to camp in Pennsylvania. On the way Shawn toured a beautiful, small private college. Then we all went to Cooperstown and stayed in a beautiful hotel on a lake. The next day we toured the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was so much fun! We enjoyed lovely meals, played croquet on the expansive lawn, and had lots of laughs. Then we dropped Shawn off at camp, and headed back to my parents' home. Gary and I got to spend time with just my parents, which had never happened before. It was really special, QUIET, and relaxing!!
A couple days later I flew to DC to see my dear friend Janel. Gary stayed with my parents a couple days and then moved into our house exchange home. Janel and I met when we were eighteen, first semester freshman year of college. I stayed with her at her home in Virginia for a few nights and we got to visit, gab on her porch watching the fireflies, tour her garden, and catch up with her young adult children. We went hiking, toured Leesburg, Virginia, and shared many meals. It was wonderful. There is nothing like an old friend who knows you well.
