Nov 2 to 8

Monday

Sun and cloud today. Worked part of the day getting ready for our research trip to the State Library and Archives in Albany, New York. Watched some Lovejoy and Waiting for God. We went to a Monday dance session to make up for missing our Wednesday session. Different instructor and different techniques. Walked 13.2 km

Tuesday

Headed off to Albany, New York, today to attend a New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYGBS) Research session, three days searching in the NY State Library and Archives. We prepared a spreadsheet of items to look at from their online catalogue. We had about 100 items. Plus there should be consultations with the NYGBS staff experts. We took the Hill Island bridge from the 401 and I-81 to Syracuse and then I-90 to Albany. Took about 7 hours with several stops. We stopped at Cicero, New York (Exit 30) for a buffet turkey dinner at the Plainville Farms Restaurant. A great meal if you are ever travelling that way. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel about two blocks from the Capitol Building and about the same from the Empire State Plaza where the NY State Library and Archives are located. There was some rain in the morning but it cleared for a while and then sort of clouded in later. We arrived in Albany just before dark. Walked about 5 km.

Wednesday

A clear day, partly sunny in Albany, NY. Spent from about 8:30 am to 5:00 pm in the State Library and Archives. Took a break about 1 pm for lunch and had a walk in the concourse under the Empire State Plaza. We took about 427 pictures of document pages today which we transferred to our computers. Cleared off the Memory cards and recharged the Camera batteries. At the reference desk today I met someone I know from the Palatines to America, New York Chapter. A bit of a surprise for both of us. We attended the NYGBS research group banquet this evening. We had Stuffed chicken breasts with apple pie for desert. The speaker was Bernard Margolis the new NY State Librarian. Previously he was the president of the Boston Public Library. We had seen and met him before when we were researching at the NEHGS in Boston. His talk title was "Born April 21, 1818". The date refers to the NY legislature and the date it approved the setting up of a state library. Walked 7.7 km.

Thursday

The day started off with some light cloud. The precipitation started about 5:30 in the afternoon after we got back to our hotel. Lunch was at Subway today. We had a very busy day at the NY State Library. Elizabeth and I took about 1189 images of document pages. The camera batteries really needed charging! Went to a wine and cheese for the research group. If we had any snow in Albany we didn't see it! Walked 6.8 km.

Friday

A day with alternating sun and cloud. We headed off to the State Library for 9 am opening. The two of us took over 900 page images today. It is good we are not staying longer or we would attempt to photograph the whole library collection! . Lunch at Subway again. Had dinner at Kelsey's in the hotel. Walked 6.2 km.

Saturday

The day started off sunny in Albany, NY. We had a short walk in downtown Albany and out to the Hudson River before leaving for home. The drive home was uneventful and we arrived home about 4:50 in the afternoon, just before dark. We stopped at Plainville Farms restaurant for a turkey dinner at lunch time. Good meal as usual. Walked 6.9 km.

Sunday

Sunny today and warmer. A good to do the final yard cleanup. Went to Christ Church Cathedral this morning for their Remembrance Day Service. Went for a bike ride this afternoon. Biked 9.7 km. Walked 6.2 km.