Our East Coast Driving Trip

Clifton Park, New York

Well, we have begun what we hope will be a memorable driving trip, the first since we drove in a rented van with Michael and Ann from Dundas to the mid and southwest USA a lot of years ago!

(Click on any photo to see a larger version.)

The drive from Dundas to Clifton Park on Tuesday was rainy and very windy for the first hour but settled down to cloudy and very cool (3 C) for the rest of the trip.

Waiting for another playmate at the dog park

The first few days of our time will be here in Clifton Park, New York, with Ann, Pat, Shayla and Ryan. Both Shay and Ryan have ball games daily over the coming days and we will also work in a visit with some very good friends so it will be quite busy these first days. Our current plan is to leave Clifton Park on Monday May 2nd en route to Falmouth, Maine (just north of Portland) where we will stay for one night.  Then on to St. John, New Brunswick where we will stay 2 days before moving on to Sackville for at least one night - after which, who knows?

In Clifton Park the morning drill is a visit to the dog park around 7 am - a drive of about 15 minutes - where Kita and her friend, a Chow named Tyson, usually have a pretty good run.

Wednesday afternoon we were off to Ryan’s baseball game in Fort Edward, N.Y., about 30 or 40 minutes north of Clifton Park. Ryan had 3 hits for 4 times at bat in a relatively easy victory for his team.

Thursday another game for Ryan this time at Fort Plain, about an hour west of home. Ryan pitched well for 4 innings and hit well but victory eluded them due to very effective pitching by the other side.

Ryan pitching

Friday - a lot less travel for Shalya’s softball game at 4:30pm. Shayla and the team played well but, unfortunately, they lost a close game.

No morning games so time for a late morning/early afternoon walk at Ballston Spa before the 4:30 pm game time..

Saturday morning we visited our long time friends, Hilaire and Judy Meuwissen. They emigrated from the Netherlands to British Columbia where Hilaire was in general practice prior to moving to Minnesota where Hilaire and I were research colleagues. Shortly after we moved from Minnesota to Albany Hilaire and Judy moved to Albany as well so our friendship continued. We had a wonderful visit - great reminiscing over snacks and wine and cheese.

Ryan (in Blue) 

Then to Ryan’s two tournament basketball games - one win one loss. Ryan has become accomplished at 3 point shots - 3 of them in one game yesterday.

Shayla had two softball games late in the day in the “Uncle Sam” tournament. They won both games and the tournament. Shayla played extremely well at first base - part of three excellent double plays in the final game!

Shayla initiating a play at first base.

Shayla - pre hit!

The Uncle Sam Tournament Champs
(Shayla is the tallest in the group.)

Sunday Ryan had an early basketball game in Saratoga Spings - sadly, a resounding loss though Ryan sunk four 3 pointers!

No more games today so we are relaxing and getting ready to leave Monday morning, en route to Portland Maine where we will stay for one night before moving on to St. John, New Brunswick.