One of our joys as we are getting older is having grandchildren. No one has a better time with Christmas or birthdays than young kids. And as grandparents, we can give them back to their parents whenever we get tired.

We again traveled to the Northeast in December (2024) and February (2025) to visit with our grandson as well as seeing our kids. It is good for us to go as often as we can. We enjoy the visit and the area. I also went up in May to run a 5k in Rhode Island, but I really went to see my family.

We were able to get outside almost every day in December and February and explore some of the local hiking we have done in the past. We visited our son in Rhode Island, and I even played disc golf in February.  It was neat to see the ducks walking on top of the water because of the ice. The thawing and freezing did make the course more challenging. And water hazards appeared on the course in some unexpected spots.

Hiking is different now that our grandson is four. He can walk and run. That does not mean that after a while he is not tired of walking and running. In order not to carry him, we all try to make being out for an adventure, a fun game for him and for us. 

We are easily entertained playing inside, in the winter, with our grandson’s new toys. And if that was not exciting enough for him or us, we bundled up and enjoyed dropping by the local playground.

Our grandson has a new favorite game. We will see if he is still playing it the next time we go back. After turning four, the number four became his favorite number. He has fallen in love with playing ​UNO Junior and always looks for the Hippo as it has the number four on it. Each card with the number four is a hit, especially the blue hippo, as blue is also his favorite color and that card has his favorite number. We are happy he will play other games as well as with other toys.

Other fun:

We are fortunate to explore sights on the way to and from New England.

At Christmas (2024) on  our drive up east, we stopped at the Cascades Valley Metro Park. We needed a break from driving, and on our hike at the park, we saw a couple carrying pumpkins. It is Christmas time and not Halloween; we were curious. They shared with us that throwing pumpkins toward the water was a fun time and a good way to get rid of the pumpkins. We agreed that the wildlife would be happy, and it was fun to watch. We also enjoyed the decorated trees along the path.

In February, we stopped to take a driving break at the West Branch State Park near Ravenna, OH, on the west branch of the Mahoning River. It was good to enjoy a walk and stretch our legs.  It was near sunset and cold, and it did make us appreciate the partially frozen water on our walk around the boat dock.

On our way back home in February, we stopped in Schenectady, PA. We enjoyed walking the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail and happened to start at the entrance of the Scranton Riverwalk at the Olive Street Trailhead. We were happy to enjoy a walk of a few miles and take a break from driving. It is fun to explore along the way and discover new paths.  

In May, I flew to New England for a 5k run with my two oldest.  I was able to enjoy walking the Freedom Trail in Boston, even in light rain. My flight arrived early in the day, and everyone was in daycare or at work. So, why not. It had been years since I walked the Freedom Trail. I walked from the USS Constitution into Boston. I know that this is the opposite of most walking tours which properly start at the Boston Commons. I enjoyed getting to Boston Common and seeing the swan boats.  I also went a little further and took in the magnificent downtown Boston library to get out of the rain for a few minutes. Since I was in the library, I walked upstairs to enjoy Bates Hall and tables as well as the architecture of this beautiful public space.  Not many books were open; however, the library was busy with what looked like students.

I enjoyed spending the day with one of my sons on Narragansett Beach. It is not often I go to a beach in Rhode Island, especially as the year has been cool and rainy. The weather was good (mid-70’s) and lunch at Monahan’s Clam Shack was delicious.

See you on the road.