The Big E

So, friend JL and I went to the Big E last Wednesday.  What a blast!  I haven't been to the Big E in about 25 years, so when JL called and asked if I wanted to go, I said sure!

Our first stop was the New Hampshire building, which was pretty crowded.  Well, all the buildings were - it was the first nice day that week.  We had a baked potato at the Maine building, topped with shredded cheese, chives, and pulled pork, sour cream on the side (for me!). After that, the Connecticut building, where we saw many things I was familiar with (and bought a few little Christmas gag gifts).

Oh, I also had my very first lobster roll in the Maine building.  It was pretty good, but I probably won't have another.  For me, lobster should be warm/hot, and it should never be on a hot dog roll! LOLOL  Each building was pretty interesting, and the vendors were very pleasant.

After all the buildings, we took a break on one of the benches, and chatted.  JL is very patient with me - she never seems to be impatient with the number of breaks I take while walking, or that I had to take pain pills to get through the day.  She's a great friend - smart, funny, witty, sarcastic, and a great outlook on life. 

Next stop was the building with the Clydesdales! OH MY GOD, those horses are so huge, and so beautiful!  They're my favorite breed of horse, so big, yet so graceful.  We saw them in the parade, all done up in the harnesses, manes and tails with ribbons, and they were just so smart-looking and beautiful.  We hung out there for a bit, then headed off to the Young Building, where there was booth after booth of vendors, all selling different things. 

While in the Better Living building, (actually, when leaving it), I heard someone call my name.  My married name!!  I looked up, and there she was - Marie Barker!  Marie used to work for my company, but left around 11 years ago.  We tried to keep in touch, but you know how things can go.  Anyway, she has 2 beautiful daughters now, and we've exchanged phone numbers, so I'm hoping we'll be better at keeping in touch now.  It was so great to see her!  She looks wonderful, and clearly enjoys her daughters.

Food - baked potato, lobster roll, fresh lemonade, fried oreos, funnel cake, cotton candy... I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting something!!  Everything was very good - including the oreos, which surprised me, because it just sounds gross.

We saw the parade several times, and at one point, I got to walk next to the Clydesdales, who outdistanced me in no time!  I tried to get a pic of me next to one, but the little breaks weren't long enough for a pic.  However... I did notice, when standing next to one, that my head did not reach the top of his shoulder!! EEK!

We left a little after 6 - the line to get in was ridiculously long by that time.  I hope next year to be done with all the surgeries, and be able to have an even better time.  I think any rides will still be out of the question, but there are a ton of things to see and do without the rides.

Next up (not posting, but activities) - Lake Compounce and the Haunted Graveyard.  I don't think I'm actually going to get to walk the graveyard this year, but I'm going to go with the group, just for the fun of being with them.  We always have a great time, and it gives me something to look forward to.