above: The goofy gang left to right: Big Dude, Ola, Rob, Amaya, Hippygeek, Lil’ Dude, Teagan.
When I asked the Lil’ Dude what he thought about his stay at my friend’s Rob and Ola’s house in Londonderry New Hampshire, he said “fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.” They were kind enough to let us “camp” at their house and to use it as a home base while we toured southern New Hampshire and Boston.
above: The volcano project.
above: “Layla” provides a “dog fix” for the Big Dude.
Visiting old friends that we haven’t seen for ages due to geography or just plain busy lives continues to be a highlight of our trip. I have known Rob for about 25 years and the last time we saw he and his wife were just after the Big Dude was born and before either one of their girls were born. I was excited that the families would have a chance to “play” together.
above: The neighborhood play day.
above: Arts and crafts with the girls.
While the girls were at school and Rob and Ola at work, we toured around Manchester nearby where I used to live and spent a couple of days in Boston. I showed the Dudes my old houses and we also took the time to do a bike ride by Lake Massabesec where I used to sail, ride, run and walk my dogs.
left: A regatta on Lake Massabesec.
right: The gang at Teagan’s soccer game.
left: And she scores!!
The Hippygeek and I are always telling the Dudes stories of our past and I find that oral tradition packs a bigger punch when the listener has a visual or experience that they can relate it to. After this year of travel and exposure to our pasts, I think the Dudes will have a greater appreciation for the stories we pass along.
left: The Big Dude tries one of Rob’s “wheeled things.”
right: The Big Dude tries another “wheeled thing”.
When the family was home, it was just a big play day. Arts and crafts, neighborhood hide-n-seek and bike riding consumed their time. Rob is a collector of “wheeled things” so in addition to riding bikes, the Dudes got to try out an electric motorcycle, unicycle and ride on a real motorcycle.
left: Rob takes the Lil’ Dude for a ride.
The Dudes, being a little kid deprived, thrived on romping through the neighborhood with the other kids. With them busy, it also gave the adults time to visit and catch up without interruption, a welcomed opportunity. We all had a great time. I just hope it doesn’t take us another ten years before we have “fun, fun, fun, fun, fun,” again!
above: The “gang”………. when not goofy.
“Have fun in your command. Don’t always run at a breakneck pace. Take leave when you’ve earned it, spend time with your families.” Colin Powell