Sunday- Feb. 16, 2014- To home

With breakfast from Dunkin' Doughnuts in the car, we picked up Grandpa and Grandma and started for home. To break up the trip, we stopped at the Budweiser brewery in Merrimack, NH, to see the Clydesdales. We skipped the brewery tour, but did go to the gift shop before going out to see the horses. Most of them were outside. The sun was shining bright but it was still quite cold. Two were in the stables where we could see them close, along with the Dalmatian that rides with them, we got some pictures and got back on the road.

After that, the most interesting part of the trip came as we were opposite the skyline of Albany. Traffic slowed to a halt, but the way the road was curved and elevated at that point, we could see the problem ahead. Several police cars were stopped around a car that was on fire. For quite a ways we could see the black smoke billowing out and the flames that were growing in size and intensity. We saw two fire trucks come in the opposite lanes and wondered how they'd get to the car. They made their way up behind us though. As we finally were going past the car, the firefighters were still spraying chemicals onto the fire, and the black smoke had turned to white.

At dinner in Roy Roger's at a rest stop, we saw pictures Brian and Jenny posted from Boston today. We were a little jealous that they got to head there, but Anna's got a doctor's appointment tomorrow, and Scott has barely been able to get into the rest stop and back each time with his knee bothering him so. Time to go home this time.

Post script- Yes, as Scott was getting out of the car in our own driveway, he stumbled on some ice and seemed to re-injure his knee.  After getting in to the basement and sitting down, he was in so much pain he couldn't move.  We had to call an ambulance in order to get him to the emergency room.   Everyone seems to think he has a torn meniscus.  He's getting better, but still has a ways to go.

Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014- Portsmouth, NH

We picked up Grandpa and Grandma this morning and went across the street to McDonalds for breakfast. Then we drove south to Rye, N.H. We saw surfers out on the ocean and cross country skiers on the beach. We admired the houses and scenery, and eventually found the Seacoast Science Center. The storm had made the long path to the building very icy. Scott has been hobbling around on a crutch all week because of a problem with his left knee, and he decided it was a bad idea to try to navigate he path. Everyone else went in, but Julie and Grandpa soon came back to drive him around to the staff entrance. After getting in, he used a wheelchair too. The science center itself was nice but small. There was a small touch tank with starfish, and the girls also got to pet a lobster. Then we made our way to lunch at Wendy's.

The memorial service for Uncle Duane started at 2:00 PM, and was held in the gymnasium of Portsmouth High School. For years he was the announcer and broadcaster for many sports at Portsmouth High School. He was known as the "Voice of the Clippers," and an empty chair sat in front of his usual microphone, with has maroon and white hat and jacket showing the school colors there. Hundreds of people were in the bleachers for the service.

The service itself had many highlights. One of his grandchildren sang a beautiful version of "What a Wonderful World," and even though they appeared to be having trouble playing the accompanying music, he probably gave an even more moving performance singing it a capella. Several people spoke, including his son-in-law Chris (Shelley's husband), the Athletic Director of Portsmouth schools, and his son Darryl. We saw video of when the press box at the football field was named for him a few years ago. And the Marine's color guard brought the proceedings to a close, unfolding the flag for "Taps" and then presenting it to Aunt Sandie. The ceremony was covered here.

After the ceremony there was a get together at Shelly's house that Grandpa and Grandma went to, but we chose to head north into Maine. From one our earlier trips through, we remembered a fun Maine-themed store that we wanted to find again. By now a new storm system had moved in, and the snow was coming down quite heavily. It looked pretty in the trees and on the houses as we drove up the coast. It certainly felt like Maine. We asked directions at the Maine Visitors Center that we found, and eventually made it to the store we were looking for. For future reference, it's the Kittery Trading Post. The girls shopped here some. We went to Panerea Bread for dinner. We had promised Anna some mall shopping, so we went to the mall at Fox Run, which was across from Grandpa and Grandma's hotel. Then the girls were ready to swim again, so we went back to our hotel for the night.

Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 - Portsmouth, NH

It's Valentines Day, and even though we got a good ways last night, we've got a long way to drive today. Luckily, we've got lots of room for the six of us in our Ford. Lucky too, there was only snow around Syracuse. The storm had gone out to sea, and even though the banks were high, the road were clear.

There were lots of phone calls made checking on the progress of other cars. Uncle Dale, Aunt Amy, Uncle Gary, and Aunt Bonnie were a ways ahead of us. Uncle Doug and Aunt Betty ended up arriving just before us. Aunt Carol and Uncle Don came from South Carolina ahead of the storm. Brian and Jenny aren't leaving Buffalo until today after work, and won't arrive until tomorrow.

Most of the Franks, including Grandpa and Grandma, are staying in the Motel 6, but we're staying about a mile away where there's a swimming pool for the girls. We dropped Grandpa and Grandma off and went to our hotel to freshen up. When we picked them up again, Grandpa wanted to get to the funeral home. We dropped them off here, but went to Wendy's to get dinner. Then we went to the wake for a while too. Aunt Sandie and all of Uncle Duane's kids, their spouses and children were all there. Dad said he felt a little awkward because so many people did a double take when they saw him there. Of all the Franks, he and Uncle Duane may have resembled each other the most.

We took the girls back to the hotel then, where they swam for an hour and a half.

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014- to Syracuse

It's not a vacation, certainly, but we are traveling this weekend. Uncle Duane, one of Grandpa Frank's brothers, passed away earlier this week, so we're going to New Hampshire for his wake and memorial service. Grandma and Grandpa Frank are riding with us.

With "Winter Storm Pax" coming up the coast, there was some debate about whether we should go Thursday or Friday. We bet that the worst of the storm would hit the South and stick close to the coast. Scott and Julie had already asked permission to get Friday off from their school districts. (It being the Friday before President's Day break, it wasn't certain if Julie would be able to get off, but she did.).

We dropped the dogs off at the kennel and left Thursday night. The snow had started, and we stopped at a hotel near Syracuse for the night.