3 PM: Aiming West...

My plan with the Waldman's was to be there at around 5 in the afternoon. Should I get there later, John would leave me the key somewhere so I can let myself in. They have a previous commitment to have dinner with a couple that celebrates their 60th anniversary of being merit, that is hard to believe!!! But my timing is perfect, I get there exactly at 5 pm. That was a four and a half hour drive from Augusta, ME.
Now how do I know John and Mila Waldman? Lets make a long story short, sometimes in the 70's my mom was the Nanny for John's 2 sons and at some point she split form there to get to Los Angeles, CA. She lived there for about 7 years before she moved back to Switzerland where she met her now husband Urs Winkler. During all that time she stayed in touch with John. John also travels to Basel, Switzerland many times during his career as a Professor in History, so he speaks really good "Basel-dytsch". All these years that I'm living in the States now my mom keeps telling me to contact John in Amherst. So, I finally did call him while on a stay at Abbot and Sarah's in 2006. The first thing John says "what took you so long to call???"Now every time I'm in the area I have to pay a visit to him and his wife Mila. Does that make any sense???
So, here I am again, driving-up on this failing driveway, steep and full potholes, to this modern house that never gets finished. It is great to meet them again. The last time I visited here was in early February when Sarah and I cam over for breakfast and John dropped me off at the airport, read the blog from that day.
We'll get to talk and catch-up on the newest things while John is preparing me a dinner. He is pan-frying me a couple of Swiss sausages with grilled vegetables. By the time I'm done with eating the two have to go to their dinner in town. Me, I have lots to do on the computer. I also make some calls, see how everyone is doing out there, I feel a bit out of touch after so long away from home.

A beautiful view from the deck here, a late sunset and heavy clouds make a great backdrop...

I wish there would be a big thunderstorm rolling in, because this is the place to watch it!!!

After John and Mila get back, listening to the stories of the dinner and other things, they retire to the bedroom. I keep at it for a few more hours before I get to lay down.

Tuesday, June 9th. Mila Waldman's birthday. But I didn't know that yet!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MILA!!!

After breakfast Mila has to go to meet clients and so John and I shoot the breeze for a while. Then It's time to on the road again, my plan is to be in Seeley, Wisconsin by Thursday evening, and that is over 1500 miles away!!!

Breakfast, before Mila leaving us for clients we take a group-shot, then admiring John's Gem collection...

The weather turned sour, rain it is now and what looks for a longer time!!!

Before I hit the Mass-Pike I better get some food for the road...

The Atkins Farm is a popular place to shop, I spend almost 60 bucks for food and snacks!!!

Before I get onto the Mass-Pike I fill the car with gas and oil. The oil consumption is getting pretty bad, I had to add another 2 quarts and that is it for my stack of oil, I better have some handy in case. The gas here is 2.529/G. I buy $25.49 worth of gas, fill my cup with hot water for tea and move on.
At 2:35 pm I enter the Turnpike which is Interstate 90 and aim West, The weather is pretty bad, and now I'm heading into higher elevation thus driving into a fat cloud!

Driving West on I-90 into the clouds of the Berkshire Mountains, battling the elements...