Birthday Sunday in New Jersey

In collaboration with Dale's sister, Beth, I had planned a little birthday celebration for Dale with his family in New Jersey. Although the weather forecast was a bit iffy after a couple of beautiful days, we went ahead with our plan to spend some time cruising on Lake Hopatcong. The drive up through the countryside was lovely with the sun out all the time. Of course, as soon as we put the boat in the water, the clouds arrived. Our cruise on that lovely lake was fun despite the clouds. In the early afteronn, we pulled the boat up to the little harbor outside the Mason Stage Bar and Grill for a fun lunch on the patio. Jack, the resident Golden Retriever, entertained nephews Austin and Devon, but unfortunately he would not sit still for a photo. After lunch, we set out for further cruising, but then the rains arrived. Everyone huddled under the bimini shade on the boat as David deftly steered us back to their take out location and our cars. Bubbie was a trooper throughout it all, and despite her age and "horrible knees" she was able to climb in and out of that boat and make her way along the floating docks, albeit with a bit of help from the men in the family.

We followed Beth and David home to Short Hills, visited there for a while, (had a preview of Chase's Bar Mitzvah decor) and watched some Olympic swimming events, then headed to the Milburn Diner for dinner with Hal, Elissa and nephews Brian, Aron and Abe. Nephews Chase, away at camp, and Andrew, away at school, were the only one's missing on this day of family celebration. It was interesting to see 12 people crowd onto two tables pushed together in an already very crowded diner! Dinner was fun and loud and a fitting way to end the day. The Greek food at that diner is particularly good, and Dale enjoyed his Moussaka and Greek Salad and special chocolate "Groundhog" dessert very much.

We drove home in rain and an interesting lightshow of lightning, but the traffic was moving well. We actually made it home in less than 1 1/2 hours, and we were in time to watch the swimming events of the evening culminating in that fantastic win by the USA in the men's 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay!

It was quite a day!