July 25, 2009 Kelly's 25th Birthday

While Kelly spent her 25th birthday at Bethany Beach, Bob and I wandered around the Farmers' Market in Tarrytown. It was totally unlike the crowded Farmers Markets at Bethany Beach or in Northern Virginia -the prices were low and there were NO lines of customers. Then we grabbed breakfast at the Eldorado Diner (great banana nut pancakes - we go back tomorrow with Noel, Derek, Parker and maybe Evan). We had tickets for a 3 hour tour of Kykuit (see photo) - the Rockefeller mansion that overlooks the Hudson River Valley. Just beautiful but after 3 hours of walking the house, gardens, carriage house, stables, I had had just about enough of rich people. Really really rich people. One last stop was at the Pocatino Church where the Rockellers had commissioned stained glass windows from Matisse and Marc Chagall. The rose window by Matisse was my fav. We had dinner at a fabulous restaurant on the Hudson River - it is called "Red Hat" Usually you need reservations on weekends - but we headed over there early and got in. I had the best dessert ever - warm sour cherry gateau (cake) with homemade vanilla ice cream with fresh peaches. All this was floating on apricot couli. The combination of fresh fruit flavors was incredible. We may need to go back tomorrow - just for dessert.

Westchester County

We had a good drive up from A.C. - no traffic until we hit the George Washington Bridge and had to figure out if we wanted the lower level or the upper level. Why is it such a hard decision every time? En route we stopped at the Donald Kendal Sculpture Garden at Pepsico Headquarters. All around the Pepsico "campus" are sculptures by famous artists - Louise Nevelson, Henry Moore, Miro, George Segal, Giacometti and lots of people I never heard of. And there are beautiful gardens. Even the courtyard is full of fountains, sculptures and flowers. Nice place to work. We are staying at the Tarrytown House - a lovely "resort" that is a combination of a couple mansions and beautiful grounds. This is just down the street from where Wasington Irving (author of The legend of sleepy hollow, Rip Van Winkle, Squire Bracebridge) lived. Dinner was at the Westchester Dinner Theatre where we saw our good friend Noel Molinelli perform superbly in "I love you, you're perfect, now change." As soon as the show was over, a torrential downpour started. Lightening was hitting all around us, the roads were full of water, it was dark, and we had no idea where we were going. It was EXACTLY the kind place where you would expect the Headless Horseman to be galloping around.

Atlantic City

In the words of Three Dog Night "I've seen things I ain't never seen before." There was the little old lady who looked like one of those dried apple dolls sitting at a slot machine, there must be a whole fleet of motorized scooters buzzing around the casino -just barely missing those who are not fleet of foot. If the elderly drivers ever organize themselves they will be a serious threat. Then tonight there was a young woman sitting at the bar at The Water Club. Her skirt was so short that from the back her left cheek was exposed. I almost missed her because we also passed a Cougar who was wearing the lowest cut t-shirt I have ever seen. My librarian sensibilities have had a trying time. And, I lost $40. Twenty of it was at a slot machine with a "That Girl" Marlo Thomas theme. I had expected good karma from her as I had faithfully watched her show in my youth. I was there when Mr. Marie didn't want her to have her own apartment, when Donald proposed at the Orange Julius, when she had all those unsuccessful auditions and lousy jobs. Lot of good my intense knowledge of her life did for me. At least the Borgata has a lot to look at - I'm thinking of the decor. The place is full of Chiluly - chandeliers and sculptures -Just beautiful. Great frescoes and mosaics on the floors. At The Water Club, water takes many forms and cascades down stone walls, through the floors and in the most beautiful flower arrangements. It even shoots in spouts behind the check-in desk. The Millers spent yesterday with us and this rainy morning we drove back to Margate to see Lucy the Elephant, built in 1886, and had a great breakfast at a little neighborhood restaurant called Hannah G's. Tomorrow we are off to Tarrytown, NY to see Noel Molinelli in "I love you, you're perfect, now change."

More Cape May Gardens and Hot Dog Tommy's

This town is just bursting with victorian homes with victorian gardens. there are miles to walk and we even went to West Cape May which is even more bohemian than regular Cape May. It was also an UnderGround Railway site and a place where women pounded one inch strips of gold into the thin sheets that were used for gold leafing. a photographer told us about the West Cape May Farmers and Artisans Market. So, we walked the 15 -20 blocks and enjoyed the market which was more like a church festival than our northern va farmers markets. Lunch was at a local street eatery - Hot Dog Tommy's - chili dogs and cups of mashed potatoes with sour cream, baked beans, cheese and onions. My stomach hurts just thinking about it. but it was good. Click on the picture on the right to see the hot dog hat on Tommy's head. It seems a herd of small elephants has checked into the room above ours - it should be noisy night with their plodding back and forth.

Cape May Gardens

Cape May -Flea market

Talk about luck! We saw a flea market on the way into town and i found a priceless (actually $5) rhinestone bowler pin. I added the tiffany pouch and increased the value exponentially.

Beaches

Here we are at Bethany Beach on the Troncoso's patio. We had just finished one of Fernando's legendary breakfasts. Bethany was beautiful and Kelly will spend the next two weeks at camp in town. Alicia and I went to the Master Gardeners' Demonstration Gardens for A Day in the Garden

Biltmore at Easter