Year-end activities

In every school, in our experience, the end of school means activities to which parents and grandparents are invited (summoned). Gramma, Becca and Papa were fortunate enough to attend two of of granddaughters' culminating events. Both schools had strict routines for visitors, including signing in and out, and wearing badges. Here is Becca wearing hers at Kailyn's South Londonderry School

The second graders had an "Idol Competition". It was very well organized. We understand it has been such a success, it has become a tradition. The kids were divided into duets or trios, who memorized original lyrics to familiar children tunes. There were costumes. Kaitlyn is in her puppy outfit. There were judges who "critiqued" each performance.

And every child, including Kaitlyn here, received a prize. Good fun.

Bethany attends Londonderry Middle School. Here she is with her math teacher, about whom Bethany wrote and illustrated her fantasy novelette, as her year end project.

The cafeteria was full of year end projects reflecting a variety of middle school courses

We were happy to read Bethany's work. She has been interested in creating stories  for many years. She showed us some of her early work when we visited the Hammaris when they were in Monterey.

Repair side trip

Here is an apparently insignificant photo. These are the steps into Bigfoot. They are very important. The floor inside is high. So we need them to get our home. The steps are pretty nifty when they work. They automatically extend when we stop and open the door. We usually take them for granted.

When it's time to roll, the steps retract, automatically. It would be dangerous to drive with the steps down.

BUT, when the steps won't come down or won't go up, it is a significant problem. We have had trouble with the steps over the years. Since the underside of the steps and the electric motor that operate it are exposed to elements, like rain, they are vulnerable.

So during the last part of the roadtrip here, the steps acted up. And when we got parked here in Derry the steps were stuck up. We have a little step ladder that we use for this. But we needed a more permanent solution. 

We made an appointment at Camping World, 311 Daniel Webster Hwy in Nashua, NH.  It required a side trip. For Chris, here was our route:

From Hidden Valley RV Park in Derry we took Damren Road to left on Hampstead Rd to right on Main Street though downtown Derry. Then we got on I 93 south to I 495 south. Bye n bye we were on Daniel Webster, with our destination on our right.

Fortunately, the steps just needed, cleaning, lubricating and minor adjustment. Here's hoping that they stay fixed.

Meg's Concert

Have you ever heard of "Carmina Burana"? We hadn't. But that was the program of Meg's Manchester Choral Society.  From the program notes we learned that the title translates "songs of Beuren". It was  written by Carl Orff in 1937 in "poetic" Latin and "Middle High German". It is described as a "scenic cantata" with words, music and dance. 

It was held at Bedford High School, Bedford NH. This afternoon, Gramma used two maps and verbal directions from Meg to get us here. Always a good day when we don't get lost in the NH woods.

Their theater was a nice high school facility

Here is a wide shot of the stage at the end of the performance. The audience was standing to applaud all of the chorus, dancers and musicians.

Meg is part of the chorus. She is in the back row with a lighting halo. She has a white flower in her hair. See her?

After the performance, Meg was greeted by Malia and Jessie.

Gramma and Papa were very happy to see talented Meg in this energetic production. She worked hard to learn the lyrics written in those obscure languages. She has a beautiful voice. 

Here's the whole cheering crew. Becca took this and the two preceding photos. She has a good eye for composition, doesn't she?

It was a nice Sunday. It was sunny and mild. We attended the Derry Ward this morning, then attended Meg's successful concert in the afternoon. 

Hidden Valley

Here we are in the Hidden Valley RV Park,  Derry, New Hampshire

I'd describe it more like "hidden forest". We've been in parks we like better, but this one has up sides. In this spot we get satellite reception--an amenity appreciated by the Auswanderers. We also get pretty good reception for our phones and computers. But most importantly, we are just a few minutes from Meg and her girls. Unless we get lost. 

But we're doing better getting our bearings. All of these roads are two lanes darting this way then that. 

And every time you look in the mirror there seems to be an impatient car. Does anyone remember how the moonshiners drove those back roads in "The Dukes of Hazard"? Like that.

But yesterday going to Meg's house we only took one wrong turn. Earlier in the day Meg took us to the Auto Club to get maps. That makes all the difference to Gramma, our Old School Navigator.

Let me back up to last Thursday when we got here. The folks in the office initially assigned us to a site down in the holler. I think that's what they're called. The old guy on the golf cart led us down narrow dirt roads into a heavily wooded gulch lined by aging trailers and RV rigs, apparently permanent residents. When we got toour empty site it was clear that this wasn't going to work. We would never get satellite nor any reception down there. The electrical outlet was 50 feet away from our rig that has a 25 foot cord. That was the real deal breaker. Eventually they found us this spot on the edge of the golf course. It's quiet and gramma enjoys the squirrels and chipmunks  that she can see out her bedroom window.

The problem here is this site and most sites are reserved for the Memorial Day Weekend. So we'll need to move on the 25th. To where we're not sure.

But every day with Meg is special. She is a long way from the rest of the family. We feel grateful that we can spend some time with her and the girls. As you may know Arnie is on temporary duty in Africa for a few weeks. We were able to speak with him before he left, but it looks like we will leave before he gets home.  When Meg comes to Utah for Jennifer's wedding, she can tell us the most recent Army assignments for Arnie and the family.

Today was the nicest weather day since we arrived on the East Coast. It was sunny and mild. Gramma and Meg with Jessie went shopping at "The Mall of New Hampshire" They had fun. Becca and I had our traditional Walmart adventure to renew provisions. 

A nice day was had by all.

Fenway Park

Yesterday, 5/15/12, Megan, Gramma, Becca and Papa went on a baseball adventure. Those who follow MLB know that Boston is the home of the famous Red Sox. Megan drove us from her home in New Hampshire into the heavy traffic leading to the stadium.

Like many pro ball venues built in downtown, parking has become a premium, and a money maker for those who have parking garages. See the sign

Here are the bleachers behind home plate.

This is the 100th anniversary of this park. It is a big deal in MLB circles to think about the many baseball memories that happened here, including those made by Babe Ruth and Ted Williams

In left field is the iconic 30 foot high "Green Monster" wall. 

Yesterday, this was the Red Sox lineup

The Sox pitcher was Josh Beckett. In his last start he was booed by the volatile fans here for his poor performance. Today he pitched a shut out, so all was forgiven

David Ortiz, "Big Poppy," is a fan favorite. Today we got to see him hit a homerun. And the crowd went wild! (oops. His photo has disappeared)

The visiting team was the Seattle Mariners. Here is their lineup

The big name on the Mariners is Ichiro Suzuki. He made some spectacular catches in right field

Here is the POV Gramma had of the game. Meg was very fortunate to get us tickets to Fenway Park for any game in any seats in any weather. It was raining steadily for most of the day. Neither the players nor the crowd seemed to notice. They are usually sold out. We are grateful to Meg for making this day happen.