My nephew, Matt, and I have been section hiking on the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. It's a beautiful area and we've been fortunate to have DH to drive us to the trail heads and pick us up at the other end. The weather has been warm and muggy with intermittent showers. Under the tree canopy the rain has not been much of a problem, but back at the campground our tent was absolutely swamped one night, forcing us to sleep in the car. We now have everything fairly dried out and we'll be moving on tomorrow. Camping is great, but camping in the rain loses its charm pretty quickly.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Confederation Trail
DH and I have been on Prince Edward Island for the past week riding the Confederation Trail. It's converted from the old railroad line that ran from end to end on the island. We had hoped to bike with our friends Joe and Tink from Princeton, but Tink had a serious biking accident a week or two before we left home and they had to cancel.We started our trip in Charlottetown, the captial of PEI. We stayed the first night at The Rodd Charlottetown, an old Canadian railroad hotel that has been lovingly restored. On the advice of an AMCer we met in Maine, we took in the dinner theater there, a musical called The Nearlyweds which was hokey but fun.
Monday, July 7
We got up early on Monday morning, had breakfast and moved our car to a parking garage nearby. Our ride to Tignish, the eastern end of the trail was scheduled for 9 AM. At 9:20 we called the outfitter, which is located in Missouri of all places, and were told the van was running late. At 9:35 our driver appeared, loaded the bikes and our bags, and drove us to Tignish.
We had lunch at M and J's Bakery and set off for Alberton where we were scheduled to spend the night at the Hunter House Inn. The trail is well groomed with a surface of crushed gravel. We rode 14.6 miles including a short spur to Alberton and some road miles to reach the inn. Diane and Phil were great hosts and the room was lovely. After we showered and dressed for dinner, Phil drove us to the Boat Store in nearby Northport, on the water, where we had a good seafood dinner. Although Phil offered to pick us up after dinner, we decided to walk back to the inn. It was a bit further than we realized, but we made it.
Tuesday, July 8
After a good night's sleep we had a delicious breakfast at the inn and set off on the road, back to the trail and on to Bideford. We stopped in O'Leary for lunch at Vinny's Restaurant and then biked on to Ellerslie where we left the trail to ride to Bideford and Hilltop Acres B & B. Total mileage for the day was 34.5 miles. Wayne and Janice, gracious hosts who have biked the entire trail themselves, drove us to dinner at The Doctor's Inn. This was a special treat. We were the only guests at dinner and the meal was cooked to order based on the choices we had made the day before when we made the reservation. DH had scallops and I had sole almondine. There were many courses and plenty of wine. We finished off the meal with strawberry pie. Strawberries are in season on PEI during July and over the course of the week we had them for dessert in many variations.
Wednesday, July 9
We had a simple but ample breakfast and hit the road back to the trail. We fought a strong headwind all morning. This was one of the longer days, 36.4 miles and we were relieved to arrive in Summerside, our planned lunch stop. Wayne had recommended that we eat on the coast at Sharky's and we had great seafood again. We were establishing a pattern with DH nearly always ordering the lobster roll while I had PEI mussels. We took a walk through downtown, looking for a book I had enjoyed at Hunter House with sketches of the locomotives and cars on the old PEI Railroad but were told by a book seller that it was hard to find on the island. We got back on the bikes and set off for The Home Place in Kensington. We misread Henry's directions and rode quite a way off course before asking for directions at a local home improvement store. Back on track, we found the inn, quite close to the trail. On Henry's recommendation, we ate at the inn.
Thursday, July 10
Kensington to York was to be our longest day and we were a bit concerned when it started to rain before breakfast. Fortunately, there were two or three short showers but no real heavy rain. We put our rain jackets on a few times and then took them back off because it was too warm. Up until now the weather had been almost too warm so we were glad the showers cooled things off. We stopped in Hunter River at the By the River Cafe for lunch and then continued on to York and the Little York Inn. Total mileage for the day was 38.2
Our material from Henry didn't say anything about dinner that night. When we arrived in York, Robert, our inn keeper told us he could have made dinner if he had advance notice. We hadn't know this. York is not far from Charlottetown and he said we could take a taxi into the city, but we were reluctant to do so. Robert suggested the alternative of eating at an informal resort nearby that he could drive us to. We took him up on this and had a good but rather expensive dinner at the Stanhope Beach Resort. When we were finished eating, the waitress called Robert and he came back to fetch us.
We noted that Henry said we might be able to get lunch at Mt. Stewart and we asked Robert to confirm. He called the cafe and found they don't open before 2 PM. Robert offered to make us bag lunches and we took him up on his offer.
Friday, July 11
While enjoying great conversation and a wonderful breakfast with two other couples at Little York B & B, our luggage pick-up was announced. It was only 8:45 (we thought luggage had to be ready at 9 AM). We rushed from the table to finish packing and brush our teeth while the driver waited patiently at the front door of the inn. If breakfast is not served until 8 AM which was the case at most of the places we stayed, it's not possible to have the baggage ready before 9 AM at the earliest in our opinion.
Today's ride was 30.1 miles total including "the prettiest 11 kilometers on the trail" between Morell and St. Peters. But, before we got there, we went through the mosquito capital of PEI, Mt. Stewart. A mile or two west of Mt. Stewart we biked through a protected wetland area. As I rode I began to experience painful bites on my neck, back, arms and in my hair. It was about 11:30 AM when I arrived, a bit ahead of DH, at the Mt. Stewart Public Library. I parked my bike and immediately was attacked by about 100 mosquitos. I ran in the building to find the librarian and the adjoining shop owner who laughingly told me there had just been "a hatch." They invited me to stay inside, use the free internet service and eat my lunch. I kept an eye out for DH who arrived soon thereafter. He didn't come in the building at first and the two women told me it was because he was busy spraying himself with insect repellent. He soon joined me and we spent about two hours there checking e-mail and reading parts of the N Y Times.
By the time we were ready to continue on our way the mosquitos seemed to have left the scene. We were happy to have the bag lunches because the cafe, across the street from the library, did not open until 4 PM according to the posted signs. We made an additional stop at the Morell train station, now an information center and then rode the 11 kilometers to St. Peters. There were indeed lovely views.
We were relieved that our directions to tonight's inn were a bit off. It was five kilometers closer than Henry wrote and it was right off the trail, not three kilometers away. The Greenwich Gate Lodge in St. Peters was more like a motel, but the room was large, clean and comfortable. We had a fish and chips dinner next door at Rick's and slept soundly.
Saturday, July 12
Breakfast at Greenwich Gate was from 7 to 9 AM, much to DH's delight. It was billed as a continental breakfast, but it included oatmeal, toast, fruit, juice and muffins, more than enough to energize us for the relatively short 22.7 mile day to Souris. Today involved taking one of the spur trails and it was well worth it. The Matthews House Inn is a Victorian beauty. Kimberly and her husband were wonderful hosts and our room and the entire house for that matter were beautifully furnished with antiques. We arrived in time for lunch and headed over to the Blue Fin, within walking distance of the inn. We had a great seafood lunch and headed back to check in. I took my usual afternoon nap while DH read and relaxed. We went back to the Blue Fin for dinner and then had a good night's sleep.
Sunday, July 13
I awoke this morning feeling rather sad that our ride was nearly over. Today was a particularly short day, only 15.8 miles. Again, the weather was beautiful. After a breakfast of cereal, scones and omelets we set off for Elmira, the end of the trail. Kimberly had called ahead for us and told us there was a cafe at the train station/museum in Elmira. We arrived around noon and had lobster rolls and ice cream. There were plenty of benches for us to sit on while we waited for the shuttle to arrive. The driver was actually 15 minutes early. He loaded the bikes and we drove to Souris to get the luggage and then on to the Snapdragon B & B in Charlottetown for our last night on PEI.
The Snapdragon is pretty upscale and we have a beautiful room on the second floor with a large deck outside. We walked into town, had another seafood dinner at a small restaurant at Prince and Water Streets, called Prince and Water, and spent some time amid the tourists down on the Quay where there was live music. As we walked back, we realized we could liberate our car from the parking garage (closed on Sundays but with no gates) and we drove it back to the Snapdragon.
Breakfast is scheduled for 8 AM tomorrow and then we will load the car and head to New Hampshire. I can't say enough good things about the Confederation Trail. The surface is wonderful, the accomodations were very good and the people here on the island are very pleasant. All in all, we had a wonderful time.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Knitting Camp
I just signed up for knitting camp. My sister and I will go to Manchester, NH in July to spend time with other knitters and take classes. I'm so excited!
I've signed up for Knifty Knitted Neckline Knowhow, Advanced Finishing and Tips, Tricks and Hints. I'm looking forward to learning more about how to finish necklines and attach sleeves. That's always been the most challenging part of knitting for me.
I hadn't realized there would be lots of preparation for camp. Every course seems to have a list of knitting samples that will need to be completed before I arrive. I'm planning to take some time off in June and early July so I should have time to get the assignments finished.
One of the nicest things about knitting camp is that I will be going with my sister. She and I don't get to spend too much alone time with each other and I think it's going to be great. And, there will be all those other knitters to socialize with. I can't think of anything more fun.
If things work out, we'll be going directly from camp to the coast of Maine where we will join our DH's for a week at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Echo Lake Camp. We've submitted our applications and are awaiting the results of the lottery.
It looks as if the summer is really starting to shape up.
I've signed up for Knifty Knitted Neckline Knowhow, Advanced Finishing and Tips, Tricks and Hints. I'm looking forward to learning more about how to finish necklines and attach sleeves. That's always been the most challenging part of knitting for me.
I hadn't realized there would be lots of preparation for camp. Every course seems to have a list of knitting samples that will need to be completed before I arrive. I'm planning to take some time off in June and early July so I should have time to get the assignments finished.
One of the nicest things about knitting camp is that I will be going with my sister. She and I don't get to spend too much alone time with each other and I think it's going to be great. And, there will be all those other knitters to socialize with. I can't think of anything more fun.
If things work out, we'll be going directly from camp to the coast of Maine where we will join our DH's for a week at the Appalachian Mountain Club's Echo Lake Camp. We've submitted our applications and are awaiting the results of the lottery.
It looks as if the summer is really starting to shape up.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Purple Brick Bib
Working with mosaic stitch, I designed this bib. Here's the pattern:
Brick Bib
Two skeins of Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton Yarn
MC—Solid Color
CC—Ombre with complimentary colors
Size 8 needles
With MC cast on 35 stitches
Work in seed stitch (knit 1, purl 1) for four rows
Begin pattern maintaining 3 stitch seed stitch border on either side in MC (you will have to attach a second skein of yarn for the three stitches on the far side). Be sure to wrap the yarn each time you change colors or you will have a hole in the bib:
Row 1: With CC [knit 5, slip 1] 5 times, knit 5
Row 2: With CC [knit 5, slip 1] 5 times, knit 5
Row 3: With MC knit across
Row 4: With MC knit across
Row 5: With CC knit 2, slip 1 [knit 5, slip 1] 4 times, knit 2
Row 6: With CC knit 2, slip 1 [knit 5, slip 1] 4 times, knit 2
Row 7: As row 3
Row 8: As row 4
Repeat these 8 rows four more times.
Repeat rows 1 through 3
Work in seed stitch for four rows
Continuing in seed stitch, work 7, bind off 21, work 7.
Leave first seven stitches on the needle or transfer them to a stitch holder, continue in seed stitch on the seven stitches you just worked, until the strap measures 5 inches. Bind off.
Attach yarn and work the other seven stitches in seed stitch until the strap measures 4.5 inches. Make button hole by binding off one stitch in the center of a row. Cast on one stitch in the center of the next row. Work until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off.
Weave in ends. Sew button on strap. Block if necessary.
If you try this and you run into a problem with the directions, please leave me a message in the comments section.
Brick Bib
Two skeins of Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton Yarn
MC—Solid Color
CC—Ombre with complimentary colors
Size 8 needles
With MC cast on 35 stitches
Work in seed stitch (knit 1, purl 1) for four rows
Begin pattern maintaining 3 stitch seed stitch border on either side in MC (you will have to attach a second skein of yarn for the three stitches on the far side). Be sure to wrap the yarn each time you change colors or you will have a hole in the bib:
Row 1: With CC [knit 5, slip 1] 5 times, knit 5
Row 2: With CC [knit 5, slip 1] 5 times, knit 5
Row 3: With MC knit across
Row 4: With MC knit across
Row 5: With CC knit 2, slip 1 [knit 5, slip 1] 4 times, knit 2
Row 6: With CC knit 2, slip 1 [knit 5, slip 1] 4 times, knit 2
Row 7: As row 3
Row 8: As row 4
Repeat these 8 rows four more times.
Repeat rows 1 through 3
Work in seed stitch for four rows
Continuing in seed stitch, work 7, bind off 21, work 7.
Leave first seven stitches on the needle or transfer them to a stitch holder, continue in seed stitch on the seven stitches you just worked, until the strap measures 5 inches. Bind off.
Attach yarn and work the other seven stitches in seed stitch until the strap measures 4.5 inches. Make button hole by binding off one stitch in the center of a row. Cast on one stitch in the center of the next row. Work until strap measures 5 inches. Bind off.
Weave in ends. Sew button on strap. Block if necessary.
If you try this and you run into a problem with the directions, please leave me a message in the comments section.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Grandchildren
What can be better than grandchildren? I have six and every one is precious.
I'm out in California visiting with the newest of my grandchildren, twins, Linnea and Peregrine, born October 5, 2007. This is my second visit--it's a long way from New Jersey to northern California, but I want to be a part of their lives and this is one way to do it.
In between in-person visits, we use a web cam. Perry and Linnie don't quite understand what they are looking at, but we enjoy seeing how they are growing and developing. You should have seen the look on my mother's face when she saw the twins moving around, holding rattles, when I set up the computer and web cam at her place.
By the way, northern California is lovely this time of year. The daffodils are in bloom and the temperature is in the sixties by afternoon each day. We've been out for a walk every day.
I'm out in California visiting with the newest of my grandchildren, twins, Linnea and Peregrine, born October 5, 2007. This is my second visit--it's a long way from New Jersey to northern California, but I want to be a part of their lives and this is one way to do it.
In between in-person visits, we use a web cam. Perry and Linnie don't quite understand what they are looking at, but we enjoy seeing how they are growing and developing. You should have seen the look on my mother's face when she saw the twins moving around, holding rattles, when I set up the computer and web cam at her place.
By the way, northern California is lovely this time of year. The daffodils are in bloom and the temperature is in the sixties by afternoon each day. We've been out for a walk every day.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A Plethora of Baby Bibs
I know I haven't blogged in a while. I've been crazy busy with my child welfare training position. It's hard work and I come home pretty tired on the days I am training. It's a wonderful program and I feel quite sure it will lead to better casework with the at risk families in NJ.
I have a few projects OTN, including Babies and Bears sweaters for the twins but I've gotten really caught up in making bibs.
When I was in California in November I checked out the LYS. My daughter had been in there a few days before and received a small cloth bag for her purchases. The store policy is to give the shopper a gift each time said shopper returns with the bag in hand. Most of the gifts are more appropriate for quilters or other sewing projects, but there is a coupon for a free skein of Sugar 'n Cream yarn. I stopped in the store a number of times while I was in Arcata and acquired a few different colors. I had never used this yarn before. I researched Ravelry to see what other people were doing with it.
Wash cloths and baby bibs--I have twin grandchildren (I'm sure I've mentioned this before) and I thought they could use some bibs. I made three using ideas I found on ravelry and then branched out using the Vogue Stitionary. It's addictive! And, it's almost instant gratification because they knit up so quickly.
The bibs from left to right are box stitch, chevron, knit and purl stripes, diagonal moss stripe, bricks and Miss Thing (based on the feather and fan stitch).
I have a few projects OTN, including Babies and Bears sweaters for the twins but I've gotten really caught up in making bibs.
When I was in California in November I checked out the LYS. My daughter had been in there a few days before and received a small cloth bag for her purchases. The store policy is to give the shopper a gift each time said shopper returns with the bag in hand. Most of the gifts are more appropriate for quilters or other sewing projects, but there is a coupon for a free skein of Sugar 'n Cream yarn. I stopped in the store a number of times while I was in Arcata and acquired a few different colors. I had never used this yarn before. I researched Ravelry to see what other people were doing with it.
Wash cloths and baby bibs--I have twin grandchildren (I'm sure I've mentioned this before) and I thought they could use some bibs. I made three using ideas I found on ravelry and then branched out using the Vogue Stitionary. It's addictive! And, it's almost instant gratification because they knit up so quickly.
The bibs from left to right are box stitch, chevron, knit and purl stripes, diagonal moss stripe, bricks and Miss Thing (based on the feather and fan stitch).
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Finished Projects
After a massive disappointment with the tween cropped jacket which came out large enough for a four year old in spite of having knit the size twelve version, I gave up on knitting for a bit. I also gave up on blogging. Besides knitting failure, I was very busy preparing for my new position as a child welfare trainer. There were many "train the trainer" sessions to attend and lots of time spent mastering the material. My partner and I presented the first module last week. It was fairly well received and we will only get better as we present it again and again.
So, back to knitting. Once my granddaughter tried on the tween jacket (that is, tried to try it on, as she could not fully insert her arms in the sleeves) I decided I would make some smaller items that would give me some quick satisfaction. I had some Sugar 'n' Cream cotton yarn which I had gotten when I was out in California. I searched the net and found any number of free patterns. I've finished two bibs at this point: a co
rnflower blue one for Perry and a yellow and pink feather and fan design for Linnie. Once I had made two from online patterns, I decided it was time to design one of my own. I found a mosaic knitting design from Barbara Walker called brick and adapted it to a bib. It's not quite finished, but it's coming along. I used Sugar 'n' Cream hot pink and an ombre called play time. The design is rather interesting. The bricks are subtle because the color keeps shifting. It's not quite finished and I can see that I have made the straps too wide.
I spent the weekend in Vermont because it was my mother's 91st birthday. My sister and I managed to squeeze in a visit to the LYS where I took a photo of the babies and bears sweater the store had on display. On my last visit I had admired the display sweater and purchased both the pattern and the yarn to knit two sweaters for the California grands. On this trip I purchased enough Cascade Paints to make a grownup babies and bears sweater for myself. Ambitious projects I'm looking forward to beginning.
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