Cross-Country Road Trip Day 9
After breakfast, I went for a drive and stopped at Willow Mill Park. This used to be a small amusement park that I frequented as a kid. My grandmother’s boyfriend worked there as a maintenance man and would get me in for free. I would spend a lot of time at my gram’s house in the summer, which meant we both would be at the park. The amusement park went under after the big flood in 1972 (from Hurricane Agnes). Now, it’s a park with picnick areas and lots of birds.
I left the park and drove to New Bloomfield to visit my aunt Carolyn. When I knocked on her door, she seemed in a bad mood. I reminded her who I was and she said I didn’t look like Anita and didn’t act like she wanted to let me in. She finally grudgingly invited me inside. I visited her for about an hour and she eventually warmed up a bit. But she’s a very bitter old woman these days and has distanced herself from all her siblings and relatives. She wouldn’t allow me to take a photo together since she had no makeup on.
I next stopped in Newport to see my aunt Peggy and cousin Steve. I hadn’t see them since before my uncle Paul passed away. Steve was on the phone with his brother, Bob, who I hadn’t seen since he graduated high school in 1976.Aunt Peggy is starting to get alzheimers and I’m not sure she knew who I was.
Once back home, I tried to keep daddy from doing too much around the house. That old man just can’t sit still!
