Albany, NY (USA)

[I woke up around 0700L and got ready for the day - while I waited for Carolyn to wake up, I worked on my computer - she made breakfast for herself and then we departed for a few more runs to her magazine drop points (after I had a few forgetful moments with phone, gloves, etc.) - she then drove me into downtown Albany (snow piled so high on sidewalks!!), where we parked near the Egg and Governor's Mansion - it was freezing (windy) during the walk to the New York State Museum but warm inside - I learned a lot about the history of the state (including story of New Netherlands and other archaelogical finds from old Albany) and local flora/fauna - the highlight was a great 9/11 exhibit - we were probably there for about two hours and then headed over to have lunch at the Albany Pump Station (near the Hudson) - what a nice place! - we ate a great meal (special burger!), relaxing and talking for more than an hour - Carolyn then drove me over to the Albany Institute of Art, where we saw a really interesting exhibit about mummies that had been brought to Albany many years ago but were only recently studied - it was another nice place to enjoy with the freezing temperatures! - on the way back to Carolyn's we encountered a scary neighborhood and I started to get work phone calls again (oh well, I almost got two days off...) - we rested for a while before we heard that Katie and her family had arrived at the nearby Holiday Inn Express (1800L) - we drove over and visited for a while before piling into their mini-van and heading up towards Saratoga (I-87) for dinner - we stopped in the town of Clifton Park, where we had dinner at a place called Ravenswood (pub with some interesting local food) - I had some Labatt beer and a mini pizza - everyone else was happy with their food (including the complementary popcorn, which they refilled many times) - it was great to hang out with everyone - when we finished, I called home and the girls talked to their cousins while we all drove back to Albany - when we arrived back at the hotel, the kids (and Carolyn) got in the pool until it closed (2200L) - Carolyn drove me and Ella back to her place for one more night (I have to leave in the morning) - I went to bed almost immediately - whew, what a day!]