Where?
Willmington... where is that? Deleware... what part? It's near Philly...

It's easier to tell people that I am going to the Philly area, no one knows where Willmington, DE is.. Anyways... that is where my brother lives and I think it is just a beautiful area and I am very jealous of his location.

It was a great trip. Jen had to head out there to pick up her car that broke down out there on her last trip, and it worked great for her to visit her sister (lives north of Philly) and for me to visit Andres. My mom was heading out there for Mother's Day since my dad is gone to Bolivia, so it was a nice short family trip. Here is the brief play-by-play:

Jen and I drove on Thursday to Pittsburgh to break up the driving, and also cause she needed to pick up her car. I have heard good things about that town, but we never had anytime to stop and see the city. Next time. On the drive to Philly.... her car started acting up again... so the saga continues... but that is another story for another day...

On arriving to Philly we went to IKEA to meet up with Andres and Saloumeh. I love that store! To many peoples surprise it was my first time. As a design student I studied their furniture and everything, I just never made it to a store, so it was great to finally get to one. Then Jen took off her with her sister and Andres, Saloumeh and I went into Philly to a get a drink and bite to eat while waiting for my mom to arrive. Mom got in, and after the airport run we just got some coffee, some desert and talked and caught up. It was great.

Jen dropping off her rental (blue) and getting her car... she thought it would be done...

Andres lives in a cool old neighborhood in Willmington, close to bars, video stores, and great food.

Saturday, we slept in a little and after a nice lunch with a bunch of his DuPont coworkers we headed to some wine tasting. It was a beautiful day outside and driving the countryside was a amazing. Rolling hills, old estates, brick homes... I can see why he loves the East coast. It was very relaxing, we took our time and just enjoyed a nice slow Saturday afternoon, which ended with a big Centellas family nap... classic. We all love to pass out late afternoon on vacations.

At the small tasting room at the Paradox Vineyard.

Outside enjoying some wine at the ChadsFord vineyard.

Andy's cat Mona.

Pumpkin and I.

Sunday was the big day. Andres planned a trip for us to this old estate called Winterthur for a horse racing and show event call Point to Point. It was a beautiful old estate and had to be over 10,000 people there. The best way to describe it was tailgating for the high class. Everyone was all dressed up, the women in big floppy hats and spring dresses, the men in white khakis and polo shirts... drinking wine from a table behind their Cadillac Escalde. It was very nice... and had some interesting events and sitting out in the sun all afternoon helped me get a little tan (I have the watch tan line to prove it). We sat out on the lawn, drinking a white zinfandel, eating crackers and paté, and enjoyed another nice afternoon in the beautiful sun.

A bagpipe band marched through.

Andres and Saloumeh.

A heard of Dashounds... or is it a flock?

A parade of old horse drawn carriages.

Of course some horse racing.

No Andres and I did not coordinate our outfits.

Afterwards we had dinner, took mom to the airport and then I met up with Jen and packed up the Focus and hit the road. We stopped in Pittsburgh again to sleep and Jen caught up with her friend. Monday we also stopped in Oberlin to see her friend Kevin (Jen knows people in like every city in the US). I met Kevin before so we chatted about his job search, where he wants to move, and of course a little about Greek life.

Jen and I made it back into Albion just in time for the 5pm Student Affairs end of the year BBQ. Some brats, some potluck (I brought Chex Mix as usual) and some end of the year relief with our coworkers. It was very good. My long trip ended with taking out the lawn mower and finally cutting my grass... it was nearly knee deep. Tonight I finishing unpacking, and then plan what to pack for Saginaw and Traverse this weekend.

Summer is here, and I love it!