Weekend Freedom

Last weekend was the first weekend I've had free in a long long time since school had (joyfully) taken up my Friday nights and Saturdays. So of course what did I do?? I filled it. It turned out that Shining Rivers, the school that I taught at last year was having their end of the year Silver and Gold picnic Saturday morning at a farm in Batchtown, IL. Saturday (very early morning) I set out for Batchtown, a small town a short distance from St. Louis with directions that resembled those of the early settlers. I was to head toward Alton and take the Hwy to the end of the road where I would see a ferry. I was to take the ferry across and head straightforward until I saw a two story White House, where I would veer left. Then I was to come to a T in the road, turn right and follow the signs to another ferry until I arrived at my destination. Despite my tendency to get lost, the directions were amazingly correct and clear, except I took the wrong ferry. I had one of those moments as I approached the loading dock where I knew it was wrong, but instead of listening to the wizened voice inside, that was telling me to pause and ask the ferry man if this indeed led me toward my destination I just rolled right up onto the ferry, took out my money and rolled my window down as it floated away from the dock. The ferryman came to my window and I paid, then I asked if all I had to do was follow the road to reach Batchtown. He smiled at me slowly and told me what I already knew. I was on the wrong ferry. After further questioning I determined that I would have to float to the other side of the river, then turn around and float right back, head on down the road to the right ferry and continue. Luckily they waved my return fee, and 35 minutes later I was back on track. In the end it was a nice ride, and I didn't miss too much of the children's end of the year performances. The farm is picturesque. After following a quiet winding road that snakes around a stream and is lined with cows and horses, I turned and climbed a steep hill that opened up to the farm. There is a great big barn, a sweet little fence, and a beautiful White House with a porch. It was a bit strange to return to the Shining Rivers community and to see everyone whom I had been deeply connected with only a year ago. It was great to see the children though, as well as the faculty, seeing as I will be in New York for the next 4 years and won't have a chance to see them. Midday I left and headed to St. Louis where I picked my sister, bro in law and nephew up from the airport. (They had just come back from Florida). I hadn't seen my nephew in a few months and it was so awesome to see him!!! I spent all day Sunday hanging out with him and playing. We played a lot with his trucks and I got to be the red gee gup (pickup truck) He makes the most authentic motor sounds. I gave him rides on his train and chased him around with his popper, which seemed to both delight and scare him a bit. He would hide behind Mommy and I would put it down, then he would point to it and say my name and I'd pick it up again. Great fun. Monday, Memorial Day we went to the zoo and rode the carousel. He picked the elephant to ride on, which was next to the horse, which prompted him to make a horsy noise throughout the ride. Through the ride he had this cheesy grin. I think I had more fun than he did!