We're on the Trail!!!!

Most of you will recall that our target departure date was July 17, 2008. And so it was that yesterday morning we began the journey that is Trails for Dale. For Barbara, the morning began with a birthday breakfast of pink scrambled eggs prepared by her daughter Liza and friend Kori (you guys rock). Soon after the star sag wagoneers arrived, Lois and Betsy, all ready to go!! The send off included multiple family members and friends to cheer us on and see us off. My mother in law, Janet Shea came with a rose bush and shovel to commemorate the journey. Thank you Janet. A special and pleasant surprise included a reporter and photographer from WMUR channel 9, who covered our story with compassion, capturing the spirit of our sacred journey.

After leaving Amherst we headed for the Massachusetts border, accompanied by another scootnick, Michelle Luks, my wonderful friend who said goodbye to us at the Townsend, MA border. Heading down on Routes 13 and 12 we made our way through Sterling, Princeton, and ending the day in West Brookfield, Ma.

The sag wagon does have a special feature, it includes a pop-up camper. For those of you who have been reading the blog, you have a clue as to how old my mother, Lois is!!! Betsy, although reminds us that she used to run a camp when she was in her twenties, doesn't include a campground as one of her top ten places to lodge. However, be that as it may, we had a wonderful camping experience. We set up the pop-up with no trouble, and snuggled in for a good night sleep. (only after a celebratory bottle of champagne!!) At about 2:00 am it became clear that the bullfrogs residing in the pond adjacent to our site, had no intention of refraining from their incessant and emphatic mating croaks!!

After a decent night sleep, we had a camp breakfast of home brewed coffee, organic steel cut oatmeal, eggbeaters, Greek yogurt sprinkled with Mom's homemade trail mix. Who said roughing it couldn't be gourmet?

So we are on day 2, sitting in Mac's with wi fi and updating y"all. We did have one small glitch which included a van, pop-up and dead end street. Does your imagination help you figure out what the problem may have been!! Eddie came to the rescue, moved his car and helped us out. Thank you Eddie!!!!!!

Were heading for Southwick and will speak to you from there. Love, gratitude, peace, joy and hope to you all....xxoo p.s. enjoys the pics