Rochetser, NY
I type this with a fuzzy head and a grumbling stomach. It’s 8:30 AM and a busy day lies in waiting. My sister arrives back in town today from her cruise with her boyfriend and his family. My brother, his wife, and two kids arrive today too. That brings excitement and anticipation, but it also brings stress around the house. Wash the sheets, clean up my room which now becomes Season and the baby’s, paint the trim on the house, finish the walking path, and more of that stuff. This is an accelerated, last minute, honey do list. My mom just yelled up to me that I need to clean the shower I’ve been using.
Yesterday was filled with activity and a lot of new thoughts. My dad had set up an interview with a girl who works in his building. I entered the building thinking she was a corporate trainer who dealt mainly with CEO’s. This is true, but she is much more than that. I think the first words I would use to describe Jennifer are intense and fulfilled. I knew why my dad wanted me to interview her: she loves what she does.
On the way to lunch she told us that her goal was not to be interviewed, but for her to learn more about my project. I guess I’ve had people want to learn about what I was doing, but she really took a deep interest in what I was doing and how she could assist me. With her work with CEO’s, her degree in existential philosophy, and her questioning, listening, and analyzing, she really hit home with some of things she told me. I learned a lot about myself in that hour and fifteen minutes. I think she can tell me a lot more.
After lunch I immediately sat down in my dad’s office and brain dumped all that we talked about. I also began to skim the books Jennifer had given me. I was excited in a different way. I was trying to focus what the goal of my journey is. I’m working on it.
From the office I took off to drive the hour and fifteen minutes to Keuka Lake. I was set to interview family friends of ours who own a growing and successful winery. My brain was still working overtime after my lunch meeting as I hit the ground at a relaxed pace on another sunny afternoon. I even got out my video camera apparatus and secured it to the passenger seat. I was preparing for a beautiful drive through farm land and then lake valley. It did not disappoint. The greenery in western New York is amazing. If you’ve never been here, I’m not sure if you can picture how much space there is here. Most people get pigeon holed into thinking solely about New York City.
I drove through small towns and farms for the first half of the drive. It was nice because the drive was all off the highway. Most of my driving to date has been all interstate. It was nice to get off and slow down. I can see why Charles Kuralt liked the smaller, slower pace. The second half of the drive had me rising and falling amongst the finger lakes. Because we live on Lake Ontario, we didn’t spend much time in the Finger Lakes. I think we missed out on a little. Not that I would trade for anything what we have, but it was nice to have the rolling hills as the lakes would come in view from time to time.
I arrived at the interview early. I had hoped to see an old family friend there, but he had left early. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting a vineyard to look like, but as I drove up the hill a smile crept over my face. To my left and way up the hill was a huge barn looking building. This turned out to be the tasting room (which I sat in for a while), the bottling facility and storage facility. To my right was a small stream that trickled down from somewhere I could not see. And to the right of the stream were the rows and rows of green vines that I assumed held the bread and butter of the whole process, the grapes. I pulled up to the parking lot and had to do a 180 to park. I have seen some gorgeous views in my trip so far, but this one might have taken it. I was on top of a hill staring down on Keuka Lake. It was very open in front of us so I could see almost all the way up and down the lake. Even better was across the lake were trees and fields. What a backdrop. I got out my camera and started shooting.
I was early, so they were still with customers and working on shutting down for the night. After two sample glasses of white wine, Mrs. Wiltberger told me to head down to the cottage (which was in my line of sight from the parking lot) and she’d be down shortly. I made it down and one of their son’s was there, working on a sailboat. We caught up and then Mr. Wiltberger handed me a beer and sent me down to the beach. The view was incredible there as well. The sight I had seen from up on the hill had changed, as know I was sitting right next to the lake, staring across the water to the same trees and fields. I sipped my beer and felt how lucky I was. A few sighs and smiles and sips and it was interview time. We did the interview on the beach area.
It was interesting to hear about how they got into the wine business and how much work it takes. They get a lot of gratification out of seeing the whole process through. They plant, cut back the vines, twist them to the right angles, make sure the grapes are doing what they should be, then harvest, process, mix, and then finally poor the glass in the tasting room. They put in the labor put get the instant gratification of people enjoying the product. And I will say the product is wonderful. They also said the wine country there may be the most beautiful in the world. Better than Napa and Europe. This is because of the lakes. I’ve never been to any of them, but this takes the cake.
My day did not end there. I had to say goodbye to the view and friends, but I needed to get back to town. I packed up and hit the road, this time beautiful as the sun was setting behind the trees. I had to have the visor down for most of the way. I got on the phone and set up a meeting with a friend of mine who I had not hung out with in ages. He and I went to high school along with Chris who was my partner in golf. I arrived and had a trusty Labbatt Blue Light. They were with a couple who is getting married at the end of the month and one of their friends, a girl who I was intrigued by, as she was small, had longer black hair, a skirt, and a shirt that showcased a nice body.
We hopped to a couple of bars and ended up at one in our suburb, Greece. I ran into to my birthday friend (same day and year as mine) and another friend from high school. We all sat back and caught up and tipped back. By this time it’s 11:30 and I haven’t eaten dinner. I am starving but figured I’d go home and eat to save on the budget. But, if you know me, you know me and alcohol on an empty stomach is not a good mix. Luckily, I passed on the shots and stayed within myself. I made it home at 12:30 and scarfed down leftover spaghetti that I had made for Thursday night. I must say I like my pasta sauce.
So here I am. A fuzzy head from being tired and slightly beer worn. A stomach rolling around because of wine and beer and a late night heaping of carbs. And a day ready to run over me.
Duty calls…