the future of food

A Farm Grows in Brooklyn...on a Rooftop! from SkeeterNYC on Vimeo.

day10

day10: I love to see my sister. In the morning, before the kids got up, I crawled in bed with her and we talked. I was glad to have this time together now, as she'd been sick when we'd left before.

Her friend John made us a driving CD and when Skee-Lo came on downtown, I got really excited. I left a very sunny and beautiful New York City with I heart NY written all over me.

We left at 10AM. Pennsylvania took FOREVER. I think this is my fifth time driving home from NY, but I forgot how mountainous it was. Construction and a few poorly timed, emergency bathroom stops far off the highway slowed us down two extra hours. By the end of Ohio I was considering a hotel, but we made it home about 1AM. Just follow the trucks. My lids weren't heavy, my eyes were just tired. Up to Ohio, though, I was still dreaming up our next trip. I love a road trip.

It wasn't easy, and I wouldn't call it a vacation, but I'd do it again soon. Traveling makes me feel alive. I feel more intensely and learn things about my self as I see how other people live. I feel excited about getting back into routine. I feel excited to see my husband again. I feel closer to my daughters. I remember how big and diverse our country is and I feel like driving across a big chunk of it is like putting my arms around it.

day9

day9: We tidied up our belongings; I was ready to go home. I took Gracie to the grocery store and stocked up on TLC dark chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and car food. I felt so happy to be alone with Gracie and going at my own pace. She is talking more since the trip began.

After lunch, we drove to Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett, Rhode Island. We met Sarah and Violet. The beach days have been my favorites of the trip. I love the energy of the waves, I love the sun, the kids love the sand and looking for shells and creatures, I love the breeze and the smell. This beach was really glittery. I like to consider the vastness of the ocean and how it connects us. I thought about moving to the beach.

We said our goodbyes and the girls and I drove back to NY. This time, the weather was perfect and the city was so beautiful. From the tri-borough bridge, the masses of lit buildings looked crunchy, and I thought about breaking a piece off and eating it. Like a rice crispy treat. I felt like I was going home.

day8

day8: we squeezed in the car and drove to the outskirts of Boston to catch a bus downtown. The girls fought in the backseat because they were squished. We took the bus to the frog pond and took a swan boat ride. We saw the sculptures of the book, Make Way for Ducklings. Eleanor had a meltdown in the park. Gracie screamed like a banshee on the bus ride home. A man on the bus made everybody laugh about it. An older woman got on and stroked Gracie's head and Gracie stopped crying. I smiled. I was at peak stress.

We drove through the Jamaica Plains neighborhood. If we lived in Boston, that's where I would choose. There was a yoga studio that had different color sari fabrics as drapes in the front window; if and when I ever decorate a home, I'd like to do that over a window seat.

Jaime's husband made an african stew and lobsters for dinner; it was really good.

day7

day7: my friend Jaime took the kids to the lake while I went to downtown Boston by myself. The ICA was somewhat interesting - it would have been impossible to enjoy the video exhibit with the kids. Tara Donovan was really great. Too bad I missed her show - the museum had bought a few of the pieces for the permanent collection.

I tried to get cannolis but it was too crowded and no parking. I don't like Hanover St. or Mulberry St. Beacon Hill was really cute and historical, a background for children's book illustrations, but nothing to get out of the car for. It was hard to get excited about Boston after being in New York, especially as I hadn't researched what to do by myself ahead of time.

I went back for the kids early but got lost and just waited for them to come home from the lake. Jaime and I went out for a nice dinner together.

day6

day6: we were very sad to leave my sisters. See our dead picture, taken by John just before we left, at www.deadbryan.com.

We sat in traffic in Connecticut for hours and then stopped at Rocky Neck State Park. The beach there is separated from the parking lot by elevated train tracks. The Amtrack drivers wave to the bathers. The girls had an amazing time. There were some older girls there who were finding and examining jelly fish. My girls were very enthusiastic about this and were welcomed into the activity.

When we got to Boston, I was very tired and had already gone an hour out of the way to the wrong address. After an hour in our new environment, I felt so overwhelmed I started crying.