Arthritis Walk 2008

This past weekend, Aaron and I joined the local Arthritis Walk.  During the month of May, National Arthritis Month, there are over 300 walks around the country raising money for Arthritis research.  We were very happy to walk to help out - in memory of my Grandmother.  Thanks to family and friends, Team Purple for JB raised $475!!!  Thank you to those who donated - it means a lot.  

Sandwiched by a rainy Friday and a rainy evening, Saturday morning brought perfect weather for a 3-mile stroll through a beautiful park ... for a good cause.  

Time with the Cuz

A little behind on the postings, but wanted to make sure I got up a couple of pictures from Angie's visit to the city, while she was up for her best friend Gwin's M.D. graduation. I met Angie, along with Gwin, her dad and sister, in Battery Park on that Friday, where we were hoping to go out to the Statue of Liberty. The line was quite crazy, so we decided to take the Staten Island Ferry out to, where else, but Staten Island! We were hoping to get some views of the Statue that way, but it was an overcast, foggy day. So, here's our shot in front of the statue - (I swear she's back there, it's not a white backdrop, just fog!)


After that, we strolled around the city, trying to enjoy Central Park in the cold, had a great lunch and some drinks out later, where Aaron met up with us (Note to the parents ... yes, Angie and I both drank alcoholic beverages - ha!) Despite the weather, it was a fun day.

I did go back into the city on Monday to meet up with Angie again before her flight out. It was a MUCH better day - in the 70s - with sun! So, we walked up to Central Park to sit and chat in Sheep Meadow for over an hour. We had fun people-watching and trying to get someone to get a good picture of us. I think we got too lucky with a guy who knew too much about photos, that he made us feel dumb with our point-and-click cameras! But we got a good one.


We had a great lunch, where we were both in heaven with the Smoked gouda mac n' cheese with bacon and the Blackberry Lemonades at Cafeteria. After that, I saw Angie off in a cab :o( 

Until next time ...

Aaron Hits the Appalachian Trail

A couple of months ago, Aaron and a group of co-workers planned a 2-day hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail.  After numerous shopping trips to EMS, splitting up the food and shopping lists, making sure they had all the gear they would need - they were *almost* ready to go.  Can't plan anything with these guys without some sort of prank ... a couple of days before the trip, they decided to test one of the tents ... by setting it up in Mike's cubicle ... while he was out to lunch!  This is what he came back to:


Two weekends ago, they began the hike in Great Barrington, MA in the wee hours of Saturday morning, each with about 30 pounds on their back. With some rain in the forecast, they expected the worst, but ended up with a perfect day for hiking.



They made their way through the 11 miles up to the Tom Leonard Shelter in Tyringham, MA - where they were welcomed with a much larger lean-to than they thought. They were able to fit in the lean-to with the loft ... not needing the tents they carried up with them! They had a great dinner of hamburger helper before turning in, ready for another 11 miles back down the next day.


They all had a great time and Aaron can't wait to set up another hike sometime soon.