Brooklyn to Bethlehem: Just what is a Northeastah?

We say goodbye to the perfectly ripe oranges and head to the Cabo airport for our new some of the time abode in northern NH. But first a visit to Brooklyn.

We questioned (over and over) the wisdom of visiting Brooklyn and Bethlehem but they both started with “b”. Back in college a friend and I decided just about everything good started with a B… Brant, Beth, brandy, beer, bicycling, bongs…. Hmm blizzards? Hmm Bomb cyclones?

I assured Brant that blizzards have become very uncommon in the northeast. In fact, over and over we were told it’s been years since they’ve had this much snow.

We were sad to fly out the door (cleaned up and packed in an hour and a half) as the day had been planned for snow shoeing the beautiful country. We felt we had been lucky to get nice (as expected chilly) weather to explore New England in the winter. It was shocking (and pleasant) how uncrowded it was everywhere…. Ski resorts, restaurants, libraries, trails etc. It was just a great place to relax with friends and enjoy the beauty. We loved wearing microspikes on our shoes and heading onto the mostly empty trails. The roads were mostly clear and very little ice. Clearly these are people that are used to living in the snow, and we were so fortunate to have their expert advice as well as their outfitting assistance.

We didn’t even have to walk outside the hotel to get to our gate at the terminal… super easy and fun(ny). A bit strange to see to see all the canceled flights and realize we were on the last available flight to Cabo for several days!

So as I finish this blog from the comfort of my aisle seat on jet blue, I noticed this pic amongst my favorites. People always ask what we do in all our spare time here in Mexico . Well here is one of my projects. When Costco ran out of their giant paper roll bundles, I bought one of each paper towel rolls offered at Chapitos. (They often offer single Kirkland rolls, but alas not that day). I decided to analyze the per sheet cost of each roll. Please note the mix of English and Spanish luring you in: some have nano particles (I looked that up… who knew?), the short one better fits your hand (unless you’re a basketball player) and some are even facial quality. Though I’ve never washed my faced with a paper towel… especially one impregnated with selenium nanoparticles! Bottom line: go pétalo. It’s the cheapest when matched for quality… even cheaper than Costco bulk buying. I had no idea no idea so much info was conveyed on a roll of paper towels.

But that’s been the great part about retirement. In between art classes, and pickleball and snorkeling etc etc… there really is time to stare at a hummingbird or the Klimpt painting , or wander through a New Hampshire library or just stand on top of a snowy mountain with your best friend.

(I should mention I’ve been wanting to fit that paper towel research into my schedule for 5 years. And no longer is there a need to buy giant packs of paper towels ).

After notes: Such a smooth ride home after a quick Turo drop off at the Albany train station , buying Girl Scout cookies at the station, a comfy train ride, EXCELLENT ramen at the Moynihan train station, a Long Island train to the air train that took us to the airport. It was an easy walk to the hotel and just a quick walk and an elevator ride to our terminal in the morning. Boarded without delays for a five hour flight to Cabo. The airport was pleasant mayhem in Cabo (hence why we try to fly on Mondays) but (somewhat) quickly we got our truck then tacos then home where a friend had filled our freezer with fish and the tomatoes were begging to be picked . Then a nice dinner on the beach while watching the birthday kids ride the bucking bronco… see what I mean about the letter “b”?