These past couple of days... were spent going down (and back) to Hawley, PA... where one of my mother's cousins lives. She is a wonderful lady... who is in her late 80's... but she is still as vibrant and alive as ever. I always loved "Aunt Flossie"... and we had a marvelous time catching up with her.

Of course, what we were told would be a 4-5 hour drive... took us 6... I guess I am slow.

But... we did stop quite a few times to gaze at the gorgeous autumn scenery... grab a cup of coffee and such. We also stopped at a very cool antique shop and wandered for a bit. Everything was very affordable... and there were so many treasures... that I just couldn't decide which trinket to bring home. In the end... we bought a couple fabulous old postcards for me... and some Currier and Ives type plates for my mother... and a gorgeous little mug for my daughter ... and a few more little things.

We drove up and down hills... thru farmland... thru quaint towns... past rivers, lakes and gorgeous views. We saw old Gothic steeple churches... diners made from old railway cars... fabulous (and humongous) Victorian, Gothic and Colonial homes.... and so much more.

We stayed overnight at a kitchy-kool motel ... "The Pocono Pines"... run by Claire Huber and his wife Sheila... right near Lake Wallenpaupack... in the heart of the Pocono Mountains (a traditional area for honeymoons... camping... fishing... and more). I haven't been to the Poconos in decades... and it was just like I remembered... lots of trees... rivers... lakes... and fun.

The lake was gorgeous.

On the way back to my mother's house.. .we stopped at a Krispee Kreme Doughnut Shop ... (she has never had one of their awesome donuts)... and enjoyed some fresh hot glazed beauties. And once we got home... we all made an early exit to dreamland.

...oh... and the daughter and I took just over 800 photos (combined)... which always makes me happy.