Birth, Death & Reconnecting with Old Friends

Brockport, NY
Moochdocking at the Pye's

It's been 6 years since Steve has been back in Brockport and 2 for me.  We lived in this beautiful little town for 7 years while the kids were growing up.  Great place to raise a young family.  Our youngest was born here.  It's about 10 miles north to Lake Ontario with Canada just on the other side.  It makes for a very cold winter, but we're here for the beginning of the gorgeous fall weather!  We are staying at our friends, Rich and Paige's property complete with fall color and hookups!  Thanks Rich & Paige!!

Our backyard for the next couple of weeks.  Not too shabby, eh?

Hurley is enjoying the large grass to play ball on.
He even has two large doggie friends to play with!
 

First off was to get some buffalo wings with Rich & Paige.  Off to Stoneyard Brewery & Pub.

Brockport is a beautiful village with a thriving, quaint downtown.  They also have the most amazing grocery store called Wegmans.  It truly rivals anything back in CA.  They have the best produce department.  There is nothing you can't find in this store!

The lift bridge going over the famous Erie Canal on Main St. in Brockport.

The weather has been perfect most of the time.  70s in the day, low 50s at night.  We couldn't wait to get the kayak into the Erie Canal for some paddling.  The Erie Canal is 363 miles long and runs from Buffalo to Albany and connects The Hudson River to Lake Erie.  It was begun in 1817 in Rome, NY and finished in 1825.  It was originally 4 ft. deep and 40 ft. wide with a 10 ft. tow path alongside from which mules or horses would pull the barges down the canal.  Now the tow path is used for jogging and biking.  The canal has several locks and lift bridges.

 

 

 

On the left is one of the locks.  On the right

 is what the lock looks like from underneath. 

     

 

 

Just enough room to go under without having to duck!

There are some docks alongside the villages were you can tie up and spend
some time shopping or eating canal side.

Beautiful tree lined tow path.

Another bridge.

A pop-up camper on a barge. Clever.

The tow path is great for biking, jogging or walking.

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The entire time in New York was not all fun times.  After leaving the rally on our way to NY, I received a call that my Gramma of 94 years had passed. She was a little Italian fireball and is very much missed.  As sad as these times are, it does bring family back together.  It was wonderful to be back with all my cousins, aunts & uncles as it had been way too many years.  So this little section is dedicated to my Gramma, Dora Domenica Gandolfo-Wilson.



Top L - The Cousins, Top R Grampa & Gramma
Bottom L - 4 Generations, Bottom R - Their Wedding Day

As we mourn Gramma, we welcome little Jackson, her 12th great grandchild.

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We were going to spend a sunny autumn day at the beach at Durand Eastman Park where there is a nice trail that runs along the shore.  Along the way we stopped at our favorite Italian Bakery for some fresh cannoli.  We also left with some stuffed Pepperoni Bread.  We were going to each them at the beach, but most of it was gobbled down in the parking lot.  Later we meandered through the High Falls area of Rochester.  Steve was transferred from California to New York with Kodak back in the 90s and we spent some fun times there too.



 Home made cannoli from Gaetano's. 

 

These two gentlemen were also enjoying the sunshine.
 

 

This little guy cracked me up. Looked like he was drinking
from his own little mug.  It was a piece of bread.

 

Off to Pilot Brewery for some beer tasting.

The High Falls in Rochester, NY

     

 



After our busy day it was off to our old neighborhood to meet up with our neighbors Dave & Marge for a birthday dinner for Marge.

   We miss our old house!

  


The Red Osier has been open for over 30 years and is known for their prime rib, lobster and Bananas Foster.  So, that is what we had!  We also had French Onion Soup, Lobster Bisque and salad.  And some yummy martinis too.

Dave & Marge

Happy Birthday Marge!

Dave & Steve

 

I love a good French Onion Soup!

 

Creating Banana's Foster

 

 

Before leaving New York, we had dinner with Rita.  She is my Italian Sister!  And can she cook!!  She went all out and made cutlets, meatballs, stuffed artichokes, Escarole, roasted peppers and bread.  We brought some wine from Montepulciano, Italy to share.



After dinner, fennel, cake & espresso.

Me & Rita!

 


We had so much fun visiting with SO many good friends!!  Lunches, dinners, BBQs, drinks!  How we miss them all!  It was a very busy couple of weeks.

Thank you again Rich & Paige for the great camping spot!!