FLOODS AND FIREWORKS

posted Tuesday, 4 July 2006

July 1 was Greg & Laura's wedding in Saratoga Springs. I took a few days off from work and decided to drive to Ithaca and then ride up to Albany with Mike. I was planning to work from Ithaca, but struggled with connectivity. My cell phone reception was spotty and I had trouble getting on line at the local coffee shop. Having Otis with me and not wanting to leave him home alone (bc I know he howls the whole time he is home alone), I was limited in where I could go (and the coffee shop had "free internet" and outdoor seating... too bad I couldn't get it to work). Anyways, we drove up to Albany on Friday, which was easier said than done... it had rained for nearly a week straight and there was massive flooding in NE PA and upstate NY - particularly around Binghamton and just north in Sidney, NY. In fact, the flooding washed away a huge section of Rt 88, killing two truckers... it was all very crazy.

Anyways, we stopped by to visit my dear friend Jessica, who just moved back to the Albany area after a brief stint in NC. I finally got to meet her baby boy Jack, who is no longer a baby, but a very active 18 month old... what fun!



Saturday was the wedding. We were joined by friends from RPI - Tate & Susie, Pete & Meg, Jim & Sherry, Bowers & Jamie, Reed & Megan, Benny G & Beth and Alicia. Quite a group... thanks to Pete and Meg for hosting us all... the wedding was lovely and Laura looked beautiful. Greg and his mom danced to Outkast - very cute. The party was fun and I am quite sure that a good time was had by all.





On Sunday, we went for a hike about 30 minutes West of Troy (where 90 & 88 meet). It was an awesome place, with several waterfalls and steep trails that take you right along the river bed. Otis loved swimming (can you see him in the water by the little waterfall?)







We headed back to Ithaca and spent the next few days there. July 4 we went to watch the fireworks at Ithaca college, from the slope at Cornell. Otis came with us and was a big hit... apparently, he is much more fun than fireworks (according to the young girl pounding mgd next to us at the fireworks). Wee... I love fireworks! :)