August 14th 2016
Yorktown Heights, NY
I’ve begun planning the details of the re-launch, this also means I’ve begun planning my departure. I’m mixed with emotions on this, as I am excited to get back on the water and sad that I am leaving here when I could be helping Arlene with the moving process. That said, I had a blast yesterday in Mystic, Connecticut helping Arlen celebrate her birthday.
We left Yorktown around lunchtime and picked up some sandwiches along the way. The navigation said we were just over two and a half hours away. We’d both been there before and should have known better, but we forgot. Forgot about traffic. Both I-95 and the Merritt Parkway was bumper to bumper and moving about twenty to thirty miles per hour. Both of these roads are fifty five to sixty five miles per hour. Needless to say, we arrived a bit later than planned.
Though we’ve both been to Mystic many times, neither of us had ever gone to the Aquarium before and I was looking forward to seeing it. Turns out that we’d both have great time there. It was a great idea for a birthday getaway.
Upon arriving we headed to the Beluga Whale exhibit where we got to see two Beluga’s playing in the water in front of us. Tinier than I had imagined, but still large enough to make me worry if I encountered them in the surf where I’m kayaking, but luckily they are Arctic and Sub Arctic mammals, but even so, would probably not be interested in me or my kayak.
From there we headed off the Sea Lion and Seal, Penguins, Freshwater Marsh and then headed toward the indoor section, but before we got there, we passed the Rehabilitation section for the harbor seals. Most people could not see inside there, but my height gave me an advantage and inside the rehabilitation pool were three harbor seals. They have the harbor seals blocked from visitors so they don’t get use to people, but these three saw me and were very curious. They swam through their pool and would pop up to look at me looking back at them.
I’ve gotten to kayak with the seals, but in Victoria British Columbia. Like now, they too were curious about Lexie and I and would swim alongside of us or out in front of us like they wanted me to follow them. Kayaking with the seals is one of my most favorite kayaking activities and I was thoroughly enjoying watching these three play peek a boo with me. Around them were cages that said ICU and then a number after it. There were many of these cages. This made me feel sad that so many needed rescue, but happy that there was a place like this were they would be rehabilitated before being released back into the water. The pool was there last stop before being returned so these guys playing with me were soon going home.
Inside the building were the Jelly Fish, Sharks, Eels and other interesting sea life. We spent the most time in here and I enjoyed seeing some of this the sea life up close and behind glass as I’m not to fond of seeing sharks and barracuda or the stinging jellyfish in person on the water. I’ve gotten to kayak with Cownose Rays before as well as turtles and the aforementioned Seals. That I enjoyed. Sharks or the Gators and Crocs I will be seeing, not so much.
We closed the Aquarium down and as we were leaving, I noticed the two Beluga Whales that were swimming like crazy before were now watching the people leave. Well, one was watching, the other, she was sleeping. Though Beluga Whales sleep horizontally, she slept vertically and slowly spun in circles as she slept. It was like watching a ballerina. She was so graceful in the water.
Leaving the Aquarium, we headed off to Latitude 41 where we’d have a nice Birthday Dinner on the bank of the Mystic River. There was a wedding going on next door so the only seating was outside. It was still over Ninety degrees out, but the breeze coming off the water and the shade we found under a tree made it comfortable out. We even got to meet the bride and groom before they made their big entrance to the party.
After a nice dinner, we took a walk down the River Front along the Museum Path. Though the museum shops were closed, the walkway was full of people out for a stroll on this beautiful night. Boaters were tide up to the marina wall and were beginning to enjoy the cooler air coming in off the water after sunset. Down near the end of the walkway there was yet another wedding taking place. Despite the extreme heat and humidity, these folks were very lucky because all around us strong thunderstorms were damaging everything in their paths with high winds, heavy rains and a lot of serious lightning.
It was now very late and time to hit the road. If we were lucky with the traffic and weather, we’d arrive home just before midnight. We did run straight into one storm but we were on Interstate 95 when that hit us so aside from having to slow to a crawl for a few minutes, we had no problems, but once we exited the highway, the surface roads had many trees and wires down. Looking at my storm tracker app, it looked like we’d arrive back in Yorktown just before the next storm hit. Sure enough, we arrived, walked inside and as son as we shut the garage door, it hit. It hit hard too; heavy rain, high winds and lots of lightning strikes all around the house. Our timing was perfect. The day was perfect. It was time to call it a night.
Today I helped Arlene list some more furniture and electronics for sale as she downsizes for the new place. Some people have a gift for this, she hates it, but I enjoy it and I’m good at selling and downsizing. Heck, I’ve done it a few times, selling everything I own that is. This is why I feel bad about leaving her at this time. I know she can use my help. I might just have to make a return here one more time to help her wrap up and move to the new place before I set I sights on points south, but for now, I need to get myself out of Sandy Hook and to someplace a bit more enjoyable so the relaunch will take place on Thursday next week.
I did get to do a bit more investigating on the woman I’m writing about. I’ve decided to give her a name rather than saying “the woman” so I will call her Elana, which is not her real name. I’ve been able to put together a timeline of when and where she lived in New York and I’m narrowing in on a time when I believe she may have started to feel the effects of dementia setting in. Sadly, I’ve not been able to find any friends she may have known during this period, that being 2004 to the present. Think about that for a moment. 12 years on this earth and not one person to call your friend. I did get to speak to an old friend of mine who actually had some dealings with her and who tried to help her the best she could back then, but due to the effects of dementia, Elana made it difficult to be friendly to. I also thought of that three degrees of separation scenario. Here I am writing a story about Elana and someone I saw often back in the early 90’s was personally involved with assisting her and trying to be a friend to her around 2006. Yes, it is a small world.
I’m going to see if I can find anyone who knew them when her husband was alive next and I’m hoping to go see her tomorrow too.
Well, that’s another day wrapped up.
Day 44 Done
Enjoy the pictures. (Videos below)
