September can be chilly in Vermont,even downright cold! It can also rain in September. The sun shines and the stars shine spectacular in the night sky in September. All this and more happened on our recent weekend celebration of our mother. She loved to go places and do things. Most of all she loved being included in family fun. So, we decided to hold a "camporee" of sorts near the Vermont Veterans Cemetary where she is buried. Yes, mom died a little over a year ago. My siblings and I wanted to mark the occasion, a passage of time so to speak, or perhaps a rite of passage, and celebrate the wonderful woman she was to us and still is. My brother Peter and I left Burlington in the late afternoon Friday as soon as I was able to leave work. We drove to Randolph, Vemont towing the cutest little travel trailer you ever did see! Our sisters, Nancy and Holly will be joining us on Saturday with their husbands Roger and Rod. Jack is working this weekend so could not come along...physically that is. Being my first outing on my own with our camper he was a bit nervous and called several times with handy tips and reminders. Of course, Peter was with me, but then he has never set up the camper. I have assisted Jack in getting the camper positioned and hooked up. (Arrrrgh I just tried to add a picture to this post...and I did, but not the one I wanted and not where I wanted a picture to go...I will try again.) Back to the camporee. Peter and I had the camper set up in no time...20 minutes or so after we asked a neighbor camper to back the camper into the spot . He gladly helped us out, telling us wonderful stories of his great "backing up" adventures. I have a hard enough time going forward! Chili for dinner with baked beans made for an interesting evening, if you know the Frechette/Conant gut. A good nights sleep tucked into the cutest little travel trailer you ever did see! We were awakened to pouring down rain and cold air early in the morning Saturday. Peter slept a little longer and I went to town to get some needed items for the camper and a couple of rain ponchos. Back to the camper for hot cereal and the most restful morning I have had in years! Reading quietly, it was heavenly. Nancy arrived followed shortly by Holly and Rod. Roger was driving up from Connecticut to meet Nancy later in the day at Tunbridge. We shared a wonderful lunch, Sandwiches, potato salad, chips, drink,cheese, olive spread and fruit. After lunch Nancy showed us her pictures (CD on the computer she brought)of her hotair balloon ride! Such a wonderful adventure! She and Roger went up up and away with an experienced balloonist/pilot and are already planning next years flight. The pictures she shared were fabulous and one could even gather courage to try it ones self..perhaps. The neatest picture I thought was of the tree tops, looking down on tops of the trees, waaaaaaay cool! Ok, off to visit mom. It was hard, we had not been together to visit her burial site since her funeral last year. I tarried as Nancy and Holly shared some tears together. Peter went to get some flowers. I think he and I were having a really hard time and we didn't want to dampen the rest of the days planned activities. After our visit to mom, we set off to the Tunbridge Worlds Fair. It was packed with people, country folk having a wonderful time. We toured around. Visited the cows and sheep, Oxen and baby chicks, food and flowers and vegetable and baked goods. Watched a bit of the Yankee - Red Socks game and ate wonderful fair food. Scooting out of the Fair grounds before dark we made it back to our campsite to build a roaring camp fire to chase away the chill of the frosty night air. We had wet wood from the rain, and made lots and lots of smoke, and some flame, but the chill won out. It was fun sitting around the fire, looking at the night sky...clouds...stars....clouds....stars....stars! Sleep came quickly once we were all tucked in. Sunday morning we shared a yummie breakfast. Eggs, bacon, scones and muffins and fruit...and of course coffee and diet coke! Then a stroll around the campgrounds...Lake Champagne Campground that is. The "lake" in the name is a bit of a stretch as Peter says, but still very nice. Then off to our respective homes. Peter and I stopped to empty out the holding tanks in the cutest little travel trailer you ever did see, and up to bid mom adeau until our next visit. The drive home was nice and easy. We called Jack when we got into Milton and he was so happy to hear we had done well. Jack nearly ran to greet us as we drove in the driveway...not only did he hug me and Peter , so did the cutest little travel trailer you ever did see get an affirmation of delight from Jack! Lonnie was with Jack keeping him company and he was all smiles as well. We shared another great lunch and then I downloaded Peters pictures as well as my own onto the computer. Peter parked his car at Fanny Allen, so I drove him back to get his car. It was a good weekend, fun and warm companionship even and the campground one we would love to return to...maybe in July or August, when it is a bit warmer. Ok, here is another try at some pictures...and I will be off.
