Coincidence? I think not.

After our romantic getaway in Vermont we continued on our way to Niagara Falls - a honeymoon destination for many. We had never been to this natural wonder before, so it seemed like the perfect place to celebrate our 30th honeymoon. On the morning of our anniversary we wandered down to the hotel restaurant which had large windows overlooking the Falls. The prime tables were right up front, allowing one to feel as if they could reach out and touch the mist. Of course, the majority of tables were in rows and tiers away from the windows. As we followed the hostess to our seat I realized I had not asked her for a front row seat. Maybe I should have mentioned that it was our 30th anniversary. Oh, well... I decided to sit where told to sit. My excitement grew as I followed her to the front row. Wow, what a wonderful way to start our day. We had the perfect seats for watching this show of nature. How did she know that we were looking for a romantic table for two? Coincidence? I think not.

After our perfect breakfast we headed out on a guided tour of the area. Our bus driver/guide, Dave, led us around the city allowing us to gain a better understanding of the area and the dramatic history of the Falls. Did you know that 5,000 years ago, the Falls was actually seven miles down river? And now 'man' controls the water so that the erosion rate has slowed down.

Dave drove the bus to a historic looking building on a hill...a Carmelite Monastery. Dave started to expound on the history but I wasn't listening to him. The hairs on my neck were standing on end. My husband and I met while working at Mt. Carmel Nursing Home - I was a dietary aide, he was the cute maintenance man. Coincidence? I think not.

The hotel concierge sent us to a small Italian restaurant for our romantic anniversary dinner. We ordered a bottle of our favorite wine, snuggled up and whispered sweet nothings to each other. The music playing quietly in the background. Wait. What is that song? I pushed my husband away and sat up straight, almost knocking over my glass of wine. I listened as our wedding song - 'Just the Way You Are' filled the room. Out of all the millions of songs, OUR song played at the perfect moment. Coincidence? I think not.

The Power of the Falls !

Looking like drowned rats but still smiling !

The Famous ' Maiden of the Mist'

Disappearing into the Falls

The Happy Honeymooners! Coincidence? I think not!

First Stop on the Anniversary Tour !

Shelburne, Vermont was the first stop on our 30th honeymoon trip. It was a rainy day but we didn't let the weather dampen our spirits. We began our day at the Shelburne Museum which is not your typical museum. There are 37 historical buildings situated on 45 acres. We had a wonderful time investigating and exploring the exhibits. I think my favorite were the automatas, which are large, antique wind up toys. We felt like little kids as we ran from one building to the next, dodging raindrops and soaking up new information. Below is the round barn from the 1800's which was an amazing piece of architecture plus housed incredible exhibits.



All ABOARD !

A Working Carousel from the 1920's.

We toured through this restored steamboat.

I love this sign on the covered bridge.

My husband needed a time out in this slate jail from the 19th century.

Hollyhocks looked beautiful even in the rain.

Ah, Beautiful Rain.

We were finally ready to find the Inn at Shelburne Farms so we could wine and dine and enjoy each other's company. Our large, airy room overlooked Lake Champlain. We felt as if we had traveled back to a simpler time. Ahhhhh..... my words and picture can't do justice to the incredible food, the views and the gardens. The staff was welcoming and helpful. There is no A/C at the Inn but the breeze from the lake kept us very comfortable. I would strongly recommend a stay at the Inn. Ask for the White Room and tell them that Debbie sent you.

Lace Free After Thirty Years!

I threw my suitcase on the bed and began to pack for the mini-vacation my husband and I were taking. This wasn't just any vacation though. This was a celebration of our enduring love. Thirty years of marriage under our belts. That's a lot of years. No wonder my jeans are a bit more snug than they used to be. And to think I blamed it on potato chips and ice cream.

Thirty years of marriage. I know it sounds cliched but where did the years go? It seems like just yesterday that we were planning our wedding reception at the local American Legion Hall complete with crepe paper streamers and daisy bouquets. Thirty years later daisies are still my favorite flower.

Hitting the 30th wedding anniversary is cause to pause and reflect. How can we be celebrating thirty years of marriage? We are not THAT old. I have seen the pictures of people in the paper who are celebrating their thirtieth anniversary and they look like grandparent material. Oh,yeah that's right. I am going to be a Grammie in March. Yahoo!

How did we get to this stage in life so quickly? Celebrating thirty years of being married to my best friend has been equivalent to riding the Himalaya Roller Coaster ride at Disney. We have whooshed forward at breakneck speed, hit a few bumps along the way and occasionally felt that we were being thrown for a loop. But through it all we have leaned on each other for support, held on tightly when we needed reassurance and celebrated small accomplishments, achievements and our love and friendship with hugs, kisses and wild abandon.

Thirty years ago we danced to Billy Joel's 'Just the Way You Are' and those lyrics have held true through the years. We have never tried to change each other. Okay, maybe I have encouraged my buddy to try to improve a few little imperfections but it was always done with a smile. Well, most of the time.

So here we are thirty years later. As I packed my suitcase I thought about how the world has changed. In 1978 we didn't have personal computers, cell phones, DVDs or Cd's. A gallon of regular gas cost $.63 ! We couldn't afford to stay in a hotel so we went camping in Nova Scotia for our honeymoon. We realized mid-honeymoon that our tent had a bunch of pinhole size holes which would only be an issue if it rained. And it rained -hard. My resourceful husband found a sail maker who repaired our tent - for free. There are good people in the world.

As I packed for our 30th honeymoon I was reminded once again how life has changed. I packed my reading glasses which weren't necessary when I was twenty-one years old. I packed my prettiest bra. Back in the seventies I rarely wore a bra, few of my friends did in those days of liberation. I threw a sweater in my bag - sometimes I get chilly when I am in restaurants. I think I am becoming my mother!

As I decided on appropriate nightwear, I was reminded of a boss of mine, Elaine, from thirty years ago. The girls at the office held a bridal shower for me. As I opened a sheer negligee made of lace and little else, Elaine commented that I should just save it until I was married for thirty years because that is when I would really need it. Sorry, Elaine, you were wrong. Maybe I'll need it after sixty years of marriage but I doubt it.

First stop on our anniversary tour...Shelburne, Vermont.

Happy Anniversary, Baby - You're always on my mind!

Haven't been able to post lately ~ my sweetheart and I have been busy celebrating thirty years of marriage. We went on a road trip and had quite a few fun adventures. Can't wait to share pictures and stories but right now I have to go get my wheelbarrow so I can carry three of the biggest zucchini I have ever seen out of the garden! I was only gone five days ~ but my veggies and the weeds are out of control ! No more relaxing for me!