QC03-01 A plan in jeopardy

August 20, 2010 (Fri) Home to Fayetteville, NY (303/303 miles) - We had done most of our packing and loading last night so the last minute chores, this morning, were relatively easy and quick. We got off at exactly 9:00am (clear sunny 79°) and headed for the bagel shop downtown. As much as we wanted to get a couple of bagels each for ourselves - comfort food or the long drive ahead - we resisted. (Joy gets the credit.) Our mission there was to get a couple of bagelboards (bagel boards?) for Dave and Jennifer. They love them and can't get them in the Syracuse area.

About half way up the the Garden State Parkway we passed some kind of official motorcade - several police motorcycles and a couple of state police cars leading a long black limousine with more police cars and motorcycles following. The parkway entrance ramps were blocked by the police and the entourage was going a sedate 50 MPH or so. Southbound traffic was bumper to bumper for miles! We were lucky to be going North!

After a stop in Ho-Ho-Kus to drop off some books for a friend of Joy's we continued on up US17. The trip was uneventful until we got a call from Joy's sister Frannie - their mother had fallen and was with the doctor. Further details had to wait, both because Joy was driving and couldn't take the call and because there weren't many more details to be communicated at that point. Nevertheless we stopped at the next rest area, an hour later, and Joy called her sister back. Bom apparently fractured her leg in a couple of places - probably not serious for a younger person but for one who is 98, maybe. Our trip west maybe in jeopardy. We wait.

August 21, 2010 (Sat) Fayetteville, NY (2) - After several phone calls,we know little more about Bom's fracture except that she experienced a misstep while getting out of the swimming pool. Nor do we know how her quality of life will be affected - whether she will be able to stay in her current assisted living facility or will need a place with more intense care. She sees an orthopedic doctor on Monday. Maybe more answers then. Meanwhile our travel plans are on hold. We'll be staying here in Syracuse an extra day or two then decide whether to head west or south.

August 22, 2010 (Sun) Fayetteville, NY (3) - Woke up to the sound of rain on the roof and proceeded to get wet every time we ventured into the void between motor home and house all day long. We celebrated our anniversary by taking Dave, Jen and Shane out to a place called Zebbs. It's a small chain in western New York State that specializes in hamburgers (and beer) very similar to the Hamms chain in the south. Dave and Shane got hamburgers, Joy got a salad, Mark and Jennifer, Reubens. The atmosphere was noisy but the food was good. And, of course, the company was superb. Even so, lesson learned; stick with the house specialty.

Bowling late in the afternoon. Joy won. Mark scored slightly more than Shane, age 7, who could barely heft the ball. He, Shane, would run as best he could up to the foul line and drop the ball. Then we'd all watch as it slowly rolled down the ally toward the pins. It was amazing how well his technique worked.

It's still raining! Syracuse is looking at more than doubling the record for this date. It's up over 4 inches so far.

Q061873 Dave and Jennifer's Yard