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Ingrid is nuts about ice skating… we can’t keep up!

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Well we finally made it out of Port Crane! Our last couple of days were spent packing and cleaning and re-organizing. We made some good changes which will make our lives easier on the road. I felt sad moving out of Eric’s but the moving out was so many days in the works that when the final moment came to say goodbye, I wasn’t a mess. We have such good chemistry with Eric, and Andrew and Eric had so much in common that being there just felt comfortable and easy. I know he’s family, but he really was a stranger to Ingrid and I until this trip, and now I feel like we could spend all kinds of time together. Ingrid did cry over leaving Eric and Maggie but she was consoled by the new Maggie on her lap. Uncle Eric told Ingrid he loves her so much and I Andrew and I discussed trip routes that might bring us up this way again. We want pretty badly to see Maine and Nova Scotia so I feel confident we will be back soon. All this made our going away less painful than it otherwise would have been.

Ingrid and I made a giant chocolate chip cookie for Eric on our last day:

Now we’re in Jersey City, just on the other side of the Hudson River, just 1-2 miles from Manhattan. Liberty Harbor RV park is strange. It’s a parking lot, and very small, and I don’t see the staff around. In most RV parks, they’re everywhere, watching and working. Not here! At nights it’s super (almost eerily) quite. Even though there’s not a blade of grass or a tree, there’s the breathtaking NY skyline at night, all lit up. In the other direction, the backside of the Statue of Liberty. It’s such a weird little spot to be, out of the way of the bustle but so close! I’ve been enjoying some morning runs along the scenic harbor, with the dogs. Just a few minutes away there’s Liberty Park, which is very run down. But still lots of locals are there with their strollers and dogs.

Last night we ventured into the city for the first time. We bravely drove our Vanagon in, because we wanted to experience the tunnel. The traffic was pretty bad, but thankfully it did not stop in the tunnel. It hadn’t occurred to me that we would be in a tunnel under the water, and that this tunnel was a mile or two long, and once we got into it I began to feel my claustrophobia creeping in. Once we arrived we had to circle around a while to find a spot. We came just two blocks from the theater and restaurant, and stopped to check out the metered parking situation. As luck would have it, we showed up precisely at the time that the meters change over to allow public parking and so were able to secure a spot. We ate at Ruth’s Chris steakhouse, then walked the short distance to the theater. Along the way we got a sneak peak of Times Square and all the fabulous lights. I felt pretty exhilarated to be in New York City!

As for Wicked, it was amazing!!! I had read the book already but I still really enjoyed the way they changed the story slightly, it made it even better to me. The Galinda character was very funny, and the singing was out of this world. The costumes were extravagant and the sets colorful. Ingrid was very quiet the entire performance and it was hard for me to tell what she was feeling. I sat next to her and explained what was going on at every song and every scene. I wondered if she was getting annoyed but she never said anything. She did start to look like she was getting tired in the middle of the second half but she hung in there. As we were walking out, she said: mommy, that was the best play I’ve ever seen! What a relief!

This is right after the show. It’s almost 11pm!

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When I say packed, I mean PACKED!

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Since today is our last day with Maggie, I let her come inside the RV to be with Ingrid. Everyday, Maggie lays on our doormat waiting for Ingrid to come out. She sits with her ears perked and watches, and wags her tail when she sees Ingrid. I had to banish Ginger from the RV during Maggie’s visit, because they don’t get along. Right now Maggie is happy as pie, while Ingrid reads One Fish Two Fish aloud.

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We’re still at Uncle Eric’s, even though we’d planned to leave a week ago. It’s been one thing after another, first the slide broke, then we said we’d leave right after Halloween but our door handle broke on Halloween night. We couldn’t get in or out through our door and couldn’t lock it. Now that’s fixed and our Vanagon rear heater busted. Not a huge deal but while Andrew was fixing that something else broke, a reservoir of some sort. I’m starting to believe that we’re meant to stay in Port Crane!

Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I love it here! We have 70 acres to play in, the weather is beautiful again, we have someone fun to hang out and do things with. Andrew and I are getting in shape using these woods. Andrew’s been mountain biking and riding on his trainer six days a week; I’ve been running in Eric’s woods with the five large dogs at my side, then doing a split strength training routine. We have a lovely log cabin at our disposal, complete with a warm and cozy wood stove… sometimes I do want to stay here forever! I’m also experimenting with eating differently. I want to see how we all like it, and to see if it gives us more energy. I borrowed a book from Eric (Body-for-LIFE) and they advocate eating six balanced meals (carbs, protein, fat) a day, in smaller portions. You eat that way six days a week, then on the seventh day you eat whatever you want for the whole day! We’re going to be somewhat scheduled with our meals and snacks. Like I said, it’s a trial. Today’s the first day. Ingrid is excited about it all. She loves the idea of having an official snack.

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