Potsdam Party Weekend - Day 2

Eileen texted me at 0530 (confirming plans for breakfast) and it woke me up.  I spent the next few hours reading and then got ready to go.  It had rained for most of the night but was only damp when I was packing the car.  By 0800, the uncertainty of the afternoon/evening made me doubt that I'd need my hotel room for another night so I checked out (0815) and drove over to Walmart to do some walking inside the (dry) store.  After about 30 minutes, I drove east (on NY-11B) to the Airport Diner and met Eileen, her parents and Roger for breakfast (0900).  This time, Joan and George told me that they actually remembered me (!) and we all had a good laugh.  We spent the next 90 minutes eating and listening to stories about Eileen's NWP Expedition.  It was still pretty rainy outside but Eileen suggested that we head over to her house to get the dogs for a walk on the Red Sandstone Trail.  Not really sure where the day was going, I still went and ended up getting to visit some more with Eileen's parents, her kids, Roger.  Steve & Aviva when they showed up just after we did.  After getting organized, the adults and dogs piled into two cars and we drove to the trailhead in Hannawa Falls.  The rain let up long enough for us to walk nearly the full length of the trail and the dogs had a great time (Mika and Sadie treed several squirrels and Juneau reveled in being outside).  We all talked a lot and weren't done until nearly 1230.  After that, we drove back to Eileen's house.  Some people (Roger, Steve, Aviva) left immediately but I stayed and had some tea and cookies while Eileen's family figured out their plans for the rest of the weekend.  By 1400, I decided it was time to go (I didn't want Eileen to have to worry about entertaining me) and said goodbye.  From Potsdam (1420), I drove (it rained all the way) home in one sitting (listening to audiobooks to pass the time).  I used NY-72, NY-11B, NY-458, Wait Road, NY-458, NY-30, NY-86, Old Military Road, NY-73 and NY-9N all the way to the NY/VT border at Crown Point.  Once in Vermont, I used VT-125, US-7, VT-125, VT-100, Bethel Mountain Road, VT-12, VT-107 and I-89.  In addition to the rain, there was lots of construction (single lanes) in Vermont and lots of traffic headed south.  It got really bad towards the end - it was dark and stormy as I crossed Connecticut River.  Relieved to be home by 1840.  Glad I got away to celebrate with Eileen and her friends!