Today is mom’s birthday. We all met for breakfast at the hotel. Then, we went and did what every mother wants to do on her birthday… laundry! Just kidding. I know no one wants to do laundry ever, especially not on your birthday. Her willingness to go to a laundromat is a testament to her mother’s love. We spent far too long in that overly hot building. We would have used the machines at the hotel but unfortunately their washing machine was out of order.
After laundry we introduced mom to a good east coast deli. She got a salad, we all pigged out on big subs.
The woman working breakfast highly recommended the marble museum a town over. She pushed it several times so we figured we had to go. The geologist (Snow Monkey) was particularly excited. The rest of us appreciated it I think. I found it fun to learn the history of the area. The museum did a nice job on its’ exhibits. I particularly enjoyed seeing the artist in residence studio and the Hall of Presidents. My favorite part though was looking at all of the old photos on the wall. The frozen moments. The lives forever immortalized by an image. The past connecting to the present. It’s why I love photography!
After the museum we went back to the hotel for naps. Warthog and I went through our gear and the things sent from home. We need to switch over to winter gear again. We will be hitting the White’s soon where weather is cold and unpredictable at times.
To top off the evening, Warthog and I took mom and dad out to dinner for her birthday. To keep with a trail tradition of my own making, I had to take a birthday portrait of mom. Happy birthday mom!
We chose a local restaurant called The Red Clover Inn. We had the chef dinner. You don’t choose what you want, they just bring something out. It was a bit unnerving not to have a say in what you eat, but it all worked out for good. If one person was served a particular item and another person wanted it, often a trade worked out for both parties. The food was amazing, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the visit with family was just what we needed. It was a beautiful night.
After a three course meal, we practically rolled to the hotel. Hands down, this was probably the best “town food” we’ve had on trail yet. I’m so glad it was to celebrate such an important woman in my life… Sally AKA Momma Warthog.
-ansel