Day 1

We're in Youngstown, Ohio, after a much-longer-than-expected drive from CT. There's not too much to say really, except that we have WAY too much stuff and it's really hard to know where any one specific thing is. The two dogs and their mattress pretty much fill up the Subaru, so everything we need for the next two months is in the Lexus; it is the smallest car they make, so there's really very little room. Each of the cars therefore is carrying a luggage bag on the roof and keeping those organized is really hard.

The route took us down 95 to 287, over the Tappan Zee Bridge (née the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge), into New Jersey and then all the way across Pennsylvania to Youngstown. Some beautiful scenery but way too many trucks.

David shared the driving in my car and we enjoyed a relaxed, comfortable conversation. Zack, our 7-year old Lab mix was far from comfortable until we stopped and gave him some anti-anxiety meds — I know, like father like son. We got here at 8:15 and Ransom took the boys to dinner while I babysat the four-legged boys. Tomorrow is not quite as long a drive, but we have to work on organizing the car better. I found the espresso maker for the morning, but no coffee yet.

And here is our luxury country villa: