Grape Festival, Day 2

Friday, July 27:

Up at 7:30, and had breakfast breads...banana/pineapple, strawberry, and blueberry..along with fresh cantaloupe, pineapple, and oranges. Afterward, Hubbie, Daughter, and I went for a bike ride, since the rain-cooled temp was in the comfortable 80s.

Back at camp, we helped Mother to go into the yard to sit and enjoy the pleasant morning. She was concerned that she was still in her pajamas and housecoat, but I assured her no one would care.

We spent the rest of the morning out there, enjoying the lake, with egrets skimming the surface looking for a fish meal, and the crickets in symphony. In the quiet of the campground, it was as though an invisible conductor led the cricket concert. The music started low in one area, then rose and rose to a crescendo, then ebbed, as a song began and rose from another area. It continued this way in stereo surround sound. Mother and I commented that although we frequently hear crickets, it's just a common background noise that we don't conciously listen to like we did today.

In stark contrast to the pleasing cricket song, was the cawing of crows. They too, called back and forth from area to area, but it fell harshly on our ears.

Since the morning continued cool and pleasant, we decided later to have our sandwich lunch al fresco. Afterward, we helped Mother back into the camper for a nap, while Hubbie, Daughter, and I went in search of a fruit stand. We stopped at the one we usually visit while we're in that area, but a posted sign announced that it's closed for the season. This is due, I'm sure, to the early spring that ripened fruits too early. So, no peaches or grapes from that stand, or anywhere in the area, this year.

We continued our tour by visiting an area museum and flea market, a scenic overlook, and a vineyard (where clusters of grapes had shriveled on the vines, thanks to heat and drought). We sampled wines in the village's 1880s store, and learned that this year tasters can have only two free samples. After that, there is a $5 charge to sample their choice of the others. I guess this is all a result of grape crops that have failed for the past few very hot summers.

We also stopped at the city park, where vendors were setting up for the festival, to begin around 5 p.m. We hoped to buy our favorite variety of grapes from a vendor who sells them there every year. The vendor was there, but he only had containers of frozen grapes for sale. We would have preferred fresh, but we bought a container of the frozen ones.

Before going back to camp, we made reservations at a favorite Swiss restaurant for later this evening. At camp, we all changed clothes and then headed to the restaurant for our 5:30 reservation.

The hostess seated us on the lower level, so Mother wouldn't have to climb the steps to the main dining area. The table we were seated at was close to the kitchen door, but it was okay.

The waitresses all dress in Swiss Miss costumes, so of course I snapped a photo or two of Mother and Daughter with our waitress. The meal was good...Mother and Daughter had baked salmon (which Daughter exclaimed over), and Hubbie and I had steak and shrimp. The meal comes with a choice of Swiss onion soup, or salad, and all of us but Daughter ordered the soup. But since Mother was unable to finish her soup, Daughter enjoyed it.

Back at camp, we played three games of Skipbo. This time, I won two games, and Hubbie won one. Afterward, we drove to the other end of the campground to watch the bridge light up. It's a lovely sight, and I never tire of seeing it each year. I also like to photograph it.

We were ready to hit the sack after that.