Ithaca, New York

We came to Ithaca, NY, to visit Eloise Light and her family. Eloise is the mother of Randy Light, Steve's former partner, who passed in 1989. She actually lives just outside Ithaca in Caroline with her son, Ray, and his wife, Mary. Daughter, Rachel, also lives nearby. Upon arrival, we had a wonderful Chinese dinner made by Mary, who was born in China. The dinner included an eggplant and mixed vegetable dinner, a rice dish, and chicken (which Ray said was very fresh...about 4 hours fresh). Later, we noticed that Ray and Mary actually raised chickens (sorry, Kathy, we didn't know). Afterwards, Ray invited us on a bike ride. We, mistakenly, thought it was a short ride, since evening had already set in. We rode down the highway for a mile and then turned on a dirt and gravel road up a huge hill for at least 3 miles. It was getting dark. Continuing on, we passed streams and ponds. Getting darker. Then, down a huge hill for a few miles at about 40 mph! Getting darker still. Suddenly, Ray said to stop. It turns out he had a flat tire. No problem...he had a spare and a pump. Problem: the back up tube leaked. Getting darker and we are on a remote country road...no houses around. Richard offered to stay with the bike why Ray and Steve rode back to get the truck. No, said Ray...he has a friend up the road a piece. So, we start walking the bikes. Only Ray knows the way back. We walk for miles....now its dark. Finally we get to the friend's house. No one home. Pitch black dark now. Finally, Ray reaches the friend on his cell. He is not in the area...maybe 20 miles away. He says he will pick us up in "awhile." What does "awhile mean?" We continue to walk on this remote country road for more miles. Eventually, a truck stops...a different friend of Ray's. He agrees to take us back. Ray says the bike ride was about 8 miles. Turns out it was 15! Bad Ray! The next morning, Mary made Steve's favorite breakfast...blueberry pancakes. Later, they took us to a "U-pick-em" blueberry farm where Ray and Mary picked about 11 pounds of berries. We picked 8 pounds...but got 4 pounds free since we gave 1/2 to the farm owners. Photos to the right of the berry picking. Later, Richard decided to take Tinsel for a swim in Ray's pond at the rear of the property. As we usually do, Richard threw a ball into the water and Tinsel fetches. This time, however, Tinsel saw two big white ducks in the water. Forget the ball...she wanted the ducks! Now, Tinsel is chasing the ducks....back and forth across the lake they go. Tinsel is crying chasing the ducks. Now, she is getting close. One of the ducks make a near fatal decision...it gets out of the water. Tinsel is right behind it...pounces on top of the duck. Steve and Richard are yelling as loud as they can for Tinsel to stop...she doesn't. Feathers fly...big feathers. We finally get to her and pull her off. The duck waddles back into the lake. Duck saved! That evening, we went to a nice restaurant with Eloise, Ray, Mary, Rachel, and Jenna (Rachel's daughter). Group photo at the restaurant. On the way to the restaurant we tell Ray and Mary about the duck. Ray says..oh well! Mary says...darn I was looking forward to Peking Duck! Photo of save ducks.