ROAD TRIP! ROAD TRIP! ROAD TRIP!

July 5, 2010 by Ro.

Moderately Bright Four plus their extremely bright spouses and children head north in a three-car caravan to visit Jeff’s parents in upstate New York for the holiday weekend. Jeff and Audrey lead the way for the four-hour trip, the last hour of which is on meandering country roads with “Warning! Farm Equipment!” signs, wild turkey crossings, and more silos than Steve has seen in his entire life. Ro is especially curious and excited by this adventure because Jeff’s parents actually live in a barn! She is picturing a weekend in a hay mow, sharing a bed with chickens and other farm creatures, and waking to sweet mooing noises made by the family cow.

At last they arrive to what is indeed a barn, (yes, painted barn-red and everything!) but now equipped with guest rooms, plumbing, an in-ground pool, a hot tub, a rec room with a pool table and ping pong, a modern kitchen, surrounded with beautiful gardens and decks, and featuring a spectacular view of Lake Cayuga, one of the Finger Lakes. There is not a cow in sight, and the only chickens around have been deliciously barbecued.

Over the weekend, as Jeff’s generous and hospitable parents proceed to stuff us with fabulous meals and libational fluids, the tale of the barn’s conversion is told. Jeff and his brothers were raised in the barn, which originally had only a wood stove for heat, a hand pump for water, and a composting toilet. It still is a barn, but decades of innovation and hard work have transformed it into a the unique, elegant, and comfortable structure it is today. In addition, the family owns the property next door, with a house they turned into a charming and spacious guest house. An acre of lawn and an expanse of wildflowers lead to the lake a mile and a half down the hill. It is breathtaking!

Weekend activities include non-stop eating, swimming in the pool, gazing at the lake, nightly bonfires (and, of course, s’mores) and sing-alongs with Ro’s husband Allen on guitar, watching fireworks, a picnic at Taughannock park and trek up to the river to the waterfall, and a trip to the local farmers’ market and craft sale. Jeff arranges for MB4 to sing at the market and we have appreciative audiences both inside the market and outside by the dock. It is a thrill to sing at such a beautiful location!

We also “sing for our supper” in front of the barn before dinnertime (on the very foundation of the barn’s original silo), locking in the vote for “most picturesque place we’ve ever sung” — with a view of the lake in the background.

The entire weekend is a splendid success and we are so grateful to Jeff’s family for their hospitality!

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