Category: Trip

Going East

We drove east today for a short vacation, our destination being Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. The drive was over four hours without stops, and we deliberately took the less-traveled road past the ski mountains in mid Vermont.

The weather was wet, the tops of the mountains very cloudy, and some of the roads took us through decidedly rustic locales. On the way, in a tiny village called Grafton, we spotted a Tardis on the side of the road. And I mean that literally: 

 
We’re not sure exactly what this was, although my theory was a shrine to honor someone who had died on that road. It seemed like the door opened, and KLS was about to, but a car had stopped across the road and a lady was watching us like a creepy. We skedaddled!

After several hours and a few stops we got to Laconia. The rain had picked up and the fog off the icy lake was pervasive! 

 
Our destination was soon found; one of those “I wonder what it’s like to stay there?” lakeside motor inns.  

 
I’m pretty sure we’re the only guests! 

 
Ours is the last cabin on the left, right on the lake. Here’s KLS standing out front: 

 
Here’s the inside: 

 
It also has two bedrooms and a bathroom. And here’s our view: 

 
Not exactly swimming weather is it!

Why did we drive so far to a lakeside tourist resort at this time of year? For the answer… check back tomorrow 🙂

Going Home

  
I don’t remember exactly where I bought this little duck pin, but it was in Germany and cost €1. He’s traveled with me ever since, and will once again join me for this 27-hour trip home.

Australia’s been fun, as it always is. And as always I leave exhausted, content and a little sad. 

 
Now I suppose it’s time to plan the next vacation…

Magic Days

  
That’s the Prince of Randwick himself, preparing his deck at the MTG prerelease tourney we attended yesterday. 

 
It was a fun, low pressure casual event in which everyone won prizes. This was good for me because I badly played a deck I had badly built 🙂

The players themselves here are pretty much the same as in the USA. Except for the funny accents Aussies have 😉 

 
After the tourney we went and checked out the pinballs at the nearby RSL club, which led to a lengthy (and fascinating) discussion with the guy who manages it all and is heavily involved with pinball collecting.

An evening of cricket on the Telly (and more MTG playing!) rounded off a fun day. 

 
Today – my last full day this trip – I walked to Bondi along the cliffs via Coogee Beach. I do this walk (which takes a few hours) every trip and it’s always great. 

 
It wasn’t too hot or too windy, as if the country was apologizing for the weird weather it gave me this trip. Since it was a Sunday, the walk was extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike. 

 
Pleasant weather notwithstanding, I was ruined by the time I got to Bondi Junction mall, and almost wept when I sat down to this: 

 
Which was immediately washed down with this: 

 
Tiredness notwithstanding, today was another great day!