At brother Sean McKinney's place

This leg of our trip has been pretty amazing. After about 40 years I'm reconnecting with my long-lost brother, Sean. He was about 8 years old when I saw him last in Santa Fe, NM.

So now Sean has grown children and step children and grand children! We had such a warm welcome and felt like we were right at home with all these people. Here's a shot of their home in Belvedere, NJ. We had imagined a busy metropolis, so near to NYC, and yet this was a quaint little farming town with trees and hills and rivers (however, overflowing greatly due to recent torrential rains). The place is a total delight. There are old Victorian homes everywhere and Sean and wife Maryann's place was one of them. (Our brand-new "PT-Cruiser" rental car is sitting in front.)
They have refinished many details in the house, and especially nice are the aged honey-colored pine floors and nice woodwork. Sean's a great cabinet-maker and builder in the McKinney family tradition. Here's their kitchen with Maryann, Sean and doggie, Dexter.Sean with step-daughter, Natalie and her new baby girl, Kayleigh.
We took a morning walk to see the sights on our way to breakfast out. Here's a tributary to the Delaware River which was raging past these buildings and the bridge.This cozy little family restaurant was a delight as well. Sean and I, both being raised up on Santa Fe's customary hot tabasco sauce, ordered whatever they had on hand to splash on the omelets. Believe it or not, guys, I (as well as he) had to push aside whatever that stuff was that they gave us. Now that stuff was HOT!
This bar stool was part of the restaurant's colorful decorHere are a few of the classic old homes seen all over this town. Some are from the mid 1800's.Natalie showed us one of her school art projects. This John Deere oil can is made out of styrofoam.Sean and Maryann's teenage son, Dylan, with their super friendly doggie, Dexter...Natalie, Julie and I took a great walk around the center of town to look at these great old homes and spring flowers popping out. Note, Ali, I'm in this picture. (Thanks to him for the great lil' camera-holding gadget that allows me to attach it to a tree branch or anything.)Our last night with the McKinneys they took us out to dinner. Thanks, guys, for a terrific visit! May the next one be at our place in Costa Rica!