Aint no mountain high enough
Last week I received a note from Nana on Hallmark stationary, which was quite aristocratic given my grandmother’s weakness for toilet paper and bark.
But before I share with you Nana’s latest correspondence, I should point out that when Joe and I climbed Whiteface Mountain on our honeymoon in September, we had no idea that my Nana and Papa did the same thing nearly 60 years ago –– on their honeymoon.
How awesome is that?
Of course I should also point out that like Nana and Papa, Joe and I didn’t actually CLIMB the mountain. We drove most of the way and then trudged 30 stories up a jagged stone footpath to a long flat summit offering views of Quebec and Vermont. I was ill-prepared and wore boots. Later, when I recounted the story to Nana, she said, “Well, wouldn’t you know it? I climbed that same mountain on my honeymoon.”
In the card I received last week was a black and white photograph of my grandparents on top of Whiteface. Below it is a picture of me and Joe. Same spot. Five decades later.
“Hi Heidi,” Nana wrote. “Well I finally got this picture enlarged. We climbed the mountain and then had our picture taken by another couple. We were on our honeymoon –– 1952. Papa was 21 and I 20. (Young and frisky.) I was exhausted, but still managed a smile. Thought you’d like to have this for your memory box.
Love, Nana
PS. Picture not too clear, but hey it’s 57 years old.
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this is awesome and makes me super happy. yay!
December 17th, 2009 at 7:43 amCute!!
December 17th, 2009 at 9:20 amSweet.
December 17th, 2009 at 1:54 pmHeidi I enjoyed that pic. of you guys on the top of the mountain. Wow times have certainly changed the quality of the picture makes all the difference and in color does alot for the scenery too. But it sure is strange that we both chose to climb that mountain. Love u. Nana
December 17th, 2009 at 6:02 pmWay cool that you & Joe took the same adventure as your grandparents unknowingly. Two beautiful pictures of two beautiful couples!!!!!
December 17th, 2009 at 8:28 pmAmazing!!!! I was wondering what your facebook was referring to…hee hee….
December 17th, 2009 at 11:40 pmWow, that’s so cool!! You should make it a family tradition.
And no, no Red Berries for me, sorryyyy!!!! Actually, I had always eaten the plain variety until a few months ago when I decided to try the others. I bought a box of every kind and now I only have yogurt and red berries left to try.
I must say, up until now, apple is my favorite!
My apartment overlooking campus can some times be depressing (as in, I want to be back there eating pizza at 6AM… although that I still do) but it’s also great bc it offers unblocked views of the mountains, cheap coffee nearby and free movie screenings. This is the highest point in town, and my kitchen window overlooks the whole city and the sea in the background.
December 18th, 2009 at 3:07 amHmmm if anything is poetic this is. Would serendipitous be the correct term as well?
December 19th, 2009 at 8:29 pmAwesome. Do you think there’s something about being drawn back to the same places? Even if it’s just coincidence, it’s pretty dang cool. I echo–serendipity.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pmcool, sweet, serendipitous–all of the words I am thinking of are in the comments above! What a great story
I am totally addicted to your blog by the way–screw Seinfeld–this is my new 11pm ritual!
December 29th, 2009 at 11:38 pm