Holidays that include time off from work I'd easily claim to be my favorites for that obvious reason but Thanksgiving and Christmas are automatic family and friends get together events that trump the other well deserved dedicated observances. Thanksgiving Day itself was terrific - we arrived at Ian and Ali's apartment around 12:30 greeted by Ali, her mother Mandy and her grandmother Rose Marie resting in the living room. Ian had gone to the nearby airport to pick up Ali's Dad, Victor and her older brother Victor John. This was the first time Carol and I had met Victor John who throughout our visit was a lot of fun to talk with, as was everyone else in her family. They had flown in from upstate in Victor's Cessna 182 (hope I got that close). I'd already had a beer going and a couple of the appetizers when they arrived. After we had been talking a short time Victor offered to take Ian and I up for a plane ride around the nearby region which I quickly accepted. Barely a five minute drive to the airport and we were in the parking lot adjacent to the FBO hanger facility. I'd never flown in a small plane before and as it had turned out the weather couldn't have been better - mild temperatures and very little wind with nary a bump or dip the entire flight. Victor is a very good pilot and I never realized how extensive the pre-flight was not that I thought we'd just jump in and take off. Well that went by too quickly but all was well back at the apartment with plenty more conversation before finally settling down to eat the fabulous traditional meal Ali had prepared with a perfectly cooked turkey, stuffing, whipped potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole. There was plenty of wine to pass around, more food brought/prepared by Carol, Mandy and Rose Marie. Dessert were both apple and pumpkin pies with coffee and a couple of bottles of honey mead that Carol and I had brought along. By around 10pm things were breaking up and as it often happens I'm amazed how fast time has flown by. We spent the night in a local inn and then picked up Ian and Ali for breakfast a local restaurant before we headed home. Most of the remainder of the weekend involved odd jobs around the house with continued cool but fine weather to be outside. All said and done it was a fine holiday.
Never did take any pictures of the dinner but the way things were flowing the thought never crossed my mind but here are a few from the flight and breakfast.
Victor doing the pre-flight.
View over the hood.
Victor, myself and Ian. these photos are screenshots from a video clip.
Ali and Ian at breakfast.
Myself and Carol.
No comments:
Post a Comment