Welcome to the Kronenberg's Blog: August 2010

Last weekend, Dave and I flew to Rochester, NY to celebrate Jared's 30th birthday. Thursday night we caught the red eye flight from SL to NYC, then on to Rochester getting in at 9:00 am Friday morning. Jared was waiting for us at the airport all smiles. He took us to his house, got us settled into his room, (so we could catch some sleep), and he went to work for the day. We didn't get much more than an hour's nap before Keegan and River (Jared's 2 dogs) decided it was time for everyone to get up. So, Dave and I showered - then walked down to the local grocery store to pick up a few items. The weather was much cooler than SL and it felt so good. We then took the dogs around the block and viewed the lovely older homes. It had been many, many years since we both lived back east and it was great to see the old style homes again and reminisce about the different styles of architecture.

Jared came home around 4:30, and the three of us went down to Lake Ontario and had a great Friday night beer batter fish dinner at a little lake front bar and grill. The food was so good. We then walked over to the end of the pier, and took our pictures.

At the Lake Ontario park there was this antique carousel that has been restored. Rides were $1 each so the three of us rode it. Jared and I were like kids, and Dave got a good laugh. We acted all excited about picking out which animal we were going to ride, and then got real dramatic during the ride. I'm sure Dave will never do another carousel ride with us again.

After the ride, we went to a great dessert place for evening dessert then home for some much needed sleep.

Saturday morning we got up early and drove to Niagara Falls to ride the Jet Boat into the whirlpool. Jared, his room-mate (Martin), Dave and I were completely soaked and it was a good thing that Jared told us to bring a change of clothing. Too bad we didn't think to also bring dry underclothes. It was so much fun anyways!!! We had our photo taken before boarding the boat, but after changing, we forgot to stop by the booth and pick them up, darn it!!

After we changed clothes, we drove to Niagara on the Lake and had lunch. Martin explained to me that the local arborist students were responsible for all the city's main street plantings. The city was all awash with color and just gorgeous. I wish we had thought to get photos of the town. Then once back in NY we showered and changed and met a few of Jared's friends at a restaurant called The Crab Shack (a lot like Joe's Crab Shack), for a birthday celebration dinner. Then Dave and I (being the old folks that we are) went home for our 9:30 bedtime call, while the younger crowd went out to party and finish the celebration till the wee hours of the morning.

On Sunday morning it was overcast and rainy, so Jared, Dave and I went to tour the George Eastman house. Being photography lovers, garden lovers, and architecture lovers - Dave and I got all 3 rolled into one. I would urge anyone who visits Rochester to take the tour. There is so much to see at George Eastman's house. Dave took my photo on the main grand staircase. The architecture is so magnificent!!

We had a quick lunch at Wegman's and then did some grocery shopping. That evening Jared and Dave went to a movie and had some quality father-son alone time. It's always a good thing when they can get together. Martin crashed in his room for some much needed sleep (since he works the midnight shift), and I crashed in our room (since I was exhausted).

Monday, Jared and Martin took us to the airport for our trip back home. The weekend flew by too fast, but Dave and I both needed to get back to work on Tuesday morning. Everyone said their goodbyes (lots of hugs and kisses), and a few more quick photos.