Monthly Archives: February 2011

Down-East Vacation

Kevin and I had a nice week-long getaway into NH and Maine last week, no – this isn’t where we stayed.  Believe it or not, this is the sauna my brother built up at his ski lodge in Sugarloaf, Maine.  Hot tub at home, sauna at ‘camp’ – nice life.  I particularly loved the chair in front, my sister-in-law’s father made it, and while it may not be the most comfortable seat, it certainly fits the decor of a ski chalet!  How clever a concept – he even used old skis to make fold-up chairs – creative recycling!

Maggie had a good time, first we stopped at Kevin’s parents for 3 days in NH.  She was a spoiled grand-dog, allowed up on furniture and had more laps than usual.  We still think my father-in-law should get a dog or cat, as he provides ample lap, play and petting opportunities.  Maggie loves it.

Kevin got in one day of skiing at Gunstock – where he first learned, we watched a bit of the dog-sled races going on, I did taxes and cooking, and we played some dominos!  Had a chance to go out to dinner with friends as well.  Next we headed to my brother’s place at Sugarloaf.  We arrived Tuesday and had it to ourselves until the rest came up on Friday.  While cold, Kevin got in 2 days of great skiing, I read, walked Maggie and enjoyed the view.

I found this ‘snowman’ hilarious – it was on the ski loop hike we did every day, the house is called the Maine House.  Saturday Sandy and I, plus 2 other friends, went out snow-shoeing.  I found the snow packed enough to just hike.

This trail is beautiful, all up (and down, and up again) in the woods, 2.5 miles, quiet, peaceful…..and it ends up here!

They have built ski ‘huts’ in the woods, nicely spaced, so you can do a 5 mile round-trip to it, or continue on 11 miles to the next.  They have overnight lodging, so hikers can go from one to the next.  We had a wonderful lunch there, then suited up for the return.  Despite a very windy day, in the woods it was great, even if I STILL haven’t seen a moose!

Doctor (and Cancer) Vacation

It has been brought to my attention that I haven’t posted in quite a while.  I knew that, it is just that as said before, there isn’t much to say!  I realized a few days ago that it has been at least a month since a doctor’s appointment, blood test, EKG etc.  What a nice vacation!  Except for the bills that continually arrive (some our responsibility, some the clinical trial’s error), I have been able to push the cancer to the back of my mind.  I should say the lack of cancer!  However new cases continue to be reported, the latest are 2 church members.  Both their results were good, but now they join the club.

I continue to plug along, feeling fine, playing tennis and volleyball and working.  I did opt out of our senior Nationals for volleyball in Houston in June.  Fortunately our team members that wanted to go could split and join another.  For one thing it is just too difficult to work the extra time to get off.  Also, I will be heavy into our summer tennis season by then.  And lastly, it is right on the 2 year anniversary of my diagnosis.  Since this cancer has a decent prognosis IF you make it 2 years, I didn’t want to jinx it!

We did have another kind of vacation last week as well, up to Maine for some skiing and relaxation.  More on that in a post I hope to get up this weekend.  For now, here is a sample of the snow!