Escape, Relax, Retreat

Yesterday morning Jim was feeling good. It must have been the knowledge that he was going to get the heck out of New York City. We ate an early breakfast and walked the ten minutes to Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Jim pulled the rolling suitcase and I had my "granny cart" as Jim calls it. We maneuvered our way through the crowded streets around Penn Station, passing homeless men crouched against buildings with cardboard signs and begging for money. We passed one man dressed in a long coat wearing women's gloves dancing in circles with his hands in the air. I actually remember him from our previous visit to the Hope Lodge. When we got to the rental car place they did not have the size car Jim had requested so they upgraded him to a BMW with leather seats. I guess the horseshoe Jeff gave us for good luck is starting to work. Thanks Jeff.

Destination- Greenport, New York, a village located on the north fork of Long Island. As we drove out of the city and closer to Long Island the air got cleaner and the haze lifted. We began to see trees, water and farmland. The sky was blue and the temperature was in the 60's. What a way to lift our spirits. Jim planned the trip. He booked a B&B and scoped out some vineyards to visit. We went to three vineyards along the way and had a fantastic lunch of lobster roll for Jim and fish tacos for me.

We met a 7 month old Westie at one of the vineyards who had just been rescued a couple of weeks ago. He had never walked on grass before and had spent his whole life in a cage. He was adorable and very lovable.

We finally arrived at the Morning Glory Inn by 7:00. The innkeepers Renate and Klaus greeted us with their little dog, Maxie. Their place was a beautiful restored 19th century home in the heart of Greenport. Our room was tranquil and plush and had a private bath with an antique claw-foot bathtub. Renate had homemade cookies and tea for us, even gluten free cookies for me. Every part of her home was spectacular. I loved the way she decorated.

 For breakfast she made Eggs Benedict, fruit cup, orange juice, homemade scones for Jim, tea and coffee. After she gave us tips on more places to visit we said our goodbyes and sped away in the BMW (just kidding). We took our time heading back to New York City. We took two little ferries and made our way to the southern part of Long Island, through the Hamptons. We returned the rental car by 5:00 and walked back to the HOPE LODGE.

Medical News- Jim's PET scan he had last Thursday showed reduction in the cancer so the clinical trial is working. It is a fine line between stopping the chemo and starting the transplant process.  The plan now is for Jim to continue with the treatment and he will be rescanned on March 22nd. If things look good at that point he will be admitted April 1st. Ironically Jim was diagnosed April 1, 2014.