It was to be the last visit to Ligonier before the closing a few days later, so we gathered the family and Jane IMG_0796 got in the car at 7 minutes before wheels up time IMG_0797 as did Suzanne IMG_0798 so we could drive on past the expensive (and unfriendly) gas station IMG_0799 as the people in the back IMG_0800 and front IMG_0801 seats remained a little out of focus as we came to this rest stop IMG_0802 and paid these prices IMG_0803 to pump the gas IMG_0804 which built up my appetite for diet vanilla coke IMG_0805 and Suzanne's for what was in this Cinnabon bag IMG_0806 the contents of which escape me.

We drove on until we got to Ligonier and parked behind this jeep IMG_0807 and in front of this one IMG_0808 so that we could sample the specials IMG_0809 at the Ligonier Tavern. We were happy to wait IMG_0810 until Ben and Jane IMG_0811 were seated and this self portrait IMG_0812 caused the waiter IMG_0813 to offer to take a picture of Suzanne IMG_0814 but we weren't sure he could do better than I did. So, we ordered drinks for the men IMG_0815 and for the women IMG_0816 and my salad IMG_0817 and Suzanne's fish IMG_0818 Jane's salad IMG_0819 and Ben's burger IMG_0820 convinced our waitress IMG_0821 that after the pasta IMG_0822 we needed cheese cake IMG_0823 and coffee IMG_0824 before heading to the cabin.

Once there, I took this profile IMG_0825 as Suzanne IMG_0826 chatted on the phone and we admired the pin collection IMG_0827 and the fire place (with baskets) IMG_0828 the wreath IMG_0829 the owl IMG_0830 and the plates IMG_0831 and doll seats IMG_0832 before calling it a day.

The next morning, Jane IMG_0833 was wondering about the Romaine label IMG_0834 as we checked out the birds IMG_0835 and flowers IMG_0836 and walked past the bird bath IMG_0837 and hearth IMG_0838 until Ben climbed the stairs to the front door IMG_0839 and prepared to dive IMG_0840 before we made our way to the feeding trough IMG_0841 and fallen basketball hoop IMG_0842 past the cages IMG_0843 IMG_0844 and down the hill to the boxcar IMG_0845 where Ben tried to enter IMG_0846 and become one of the boxcar children even though he'd seen the posted signs IMG_0847 on the property. Back at the cabin, Jane spoke to the owl IMG_0848 and the owl IMG_0849 spoke back before Bobby Sauro and Maxine IMG_0850 arrived and Suzanne wrapped the owl IMG_0851 and we put it into the back of the car IMG_0852 for the journey home. Bob IMG_0853 IMG_0854 and Jane IMG_0855 and Ben IMG_0856 were having conversations IMG_0857 IMG_0858 in various directions before Suzanne and Milt IMG_0859 IMG_0860 and Norma, Jane and Ben IMG_0861 sat down and Ben IMG_0862 ducked out of my picture IMG_0863 while I captured Bob and Maxine IMG_0864 and this picture IMG_0865 that Bob IMG_0866 was also taking so that he IMG_0867 could head out to the sisters IMG_0868 for a conversation IMG_0869 as Norma and Jane sat IMG_0870 and Ben IMG_0871 hid IMG_0872 but was caught IMG_0873 IMG_0874 while Norma and Suzanne IMG_0875 IMG_0876 IMG_0877 discussed baskets, I took this self portrait IMG_0878 and Ben IMG_0879 pretended to be oblivious to Jane and Milt IMG_0880 IMG_0881 IMG_0882 even as Norma joined them IMG_0883 IMG_0884 IMG_0885 and he tried to hide IMG_0886 IMG_0887 but eventually joined the picture IMG_0888 IMG_0889 IMG_0890 IMG_0891 even as the cake was unveiled IMG_0892 by the caterer IMG_0893 in a happy moment IMG_0894 as the conversation continued IMG_0895 and Ben played Game Boy IMG_0896 in the corner.

The sisters IMG_0897 walked around as Suzanne IMG_0898 explored closets and the catering IMG_0899 worked with the first guests IMG_0900 to get the food out IMG_0901 as Jane IMG_0902 was amused by the cake IMG_0903 and the sisters IMG_0904 wanted more food IMG_0905 from the caterer IMG_0906 and even more came IMG_0907 to the amusement of Suzanne and Milt IMG_0908 as the bloody mary's IMG_0909 passed Norma's taste test IMG_0910 and we all IMG_0911 IMG_0912 IMG_0913 waited for the next person to come as nuts IMG_0914 were put out by the helpers IMG_0915 and Ben paid a lot of attention to the birds IMG_0916 IMG_0917 IMG_0918 IMG_0919 IMG_0920 IMG_0921 that were to come home with us.

Bob IMG_0922 the sisters IMG_0923 Ben and Suzanne IMG_0924 and Jane IMG_0925 waited as Maxine chatted with Norma IMG_0926 and Ann Sharon IMG_0927 Bob IMG_0928 and Jane IMG_0929 watched so that we knew it was time for group photos IMG_0930 then reorganized IMG_0931 IMG_0932 IMG_0933 IMG_0934 and then with replacements IMG_0935 and again IMG_0936 as Sally IMG_0937 Katie and Sam IMG_0938 and Andy and Debbie IMG_0939 arrived and Andy IMG_0940 posed for a closeup as the Davis' IMG_0941 came. Sally had something to tell Norma IMG_0942 and Bob spoke to Suzanne IMG_0943 as Phyllis spoke to Milt IMG_0944 and Ann Sharon and Debbie IMG_0945 shared Bloody Mary's as Bob amused Jane IMG_0946 and Katy joined IMG_0947 IMG_0948 even as she and her brother IMG_0949 were in the darkness that also captured Jane IMG_0950 as Ben hid IMG_0951 and was caught IMG_0952 even as he made his way to the children's table IMG_0953 IMG_0954 so that he IMG_0955 and Jane IMG_0956 could eat as Herb and his brother IMG_0957 arrived.

As Sally and Suzanne conversed IMG_0958 Ruby arrived IMG_0959 IMG_0960 and spoke with Jane IMG_0961 as conversations continued IMG_0962 IMG_0963 and Phyllis Davis IMG_0964 posed while others ate IMG_0965 as Herb IMG_0966 and his brother and Norma IMG_0967 made through the line and Bon Davis and Milt IMG_0968 chatted with Herb IMG_0969 and Norma Shapiro and Betty Lou IMG_0970 as the men posed IMG_0971 Sam got up close IMG_0972 and Herb spoke to mother IMG_0973 and daughter IMG_0974 as Sally and the Gespass (Pittsburgh) women IMG_0975 spoke and Jane IMG_0976 IMG_0977 wondered what Suzanne and the caterers IMG_0978 would do with this food IMG_0979 as the crowds outside IMG_0980 looked into the darkness IMG_0981 and Jane IMG_0982 spoke with Haim and Norma IMG_0983 IMG_0984 as Debbie IMG_0985 and Suzanne IMG_0986 watched and Maxine IMG_0987 photographed.

After some crowd shots IMG_0988 IMG_0989 IMG_0990 IMG_0991 and watching Bob IMG_0992 take this picture IMG_0993 as I took this one IMG_0994 it was time to bring out the cake IMG_0995 IMG_0996 IMG_0997 IMG_0998 and sing happy birthday as the crowd watched IMG_0999 IMG_1000 from both directions and the lights went out IMG_1001 so that the speeches could be made as the assembled IMG_1002 IMG_1003 IMG_1004 IMG_1005 watched Norma and Milt IMG_1006 IMG_1007 IMG_1008 and Suzanne and Bob IMG_1009 IMG_1010 watched me try twice IMG_1011 IMG_1012 to get Ben and Jane into the same frame even as I shot over everyone's head IMG_1013 and then got a few crowd shots IMG_1014 IMG_1015 as the other photographer IMG_1016 was capturing the cake IMG_1017 and Jane captured Ben IMG_1018 as her feet IMG_1019 and shadow IMG_1020 make for a self portrait by face IMG_1021 feet IMG_1022 and hands IMG_1023 while the discussion continued IMG_1024 IMG_1025 IMG_1026 and Ben IMG_1027 IMG_1028 IMG_1029 couldn't hide on the porch IMG_1030 as people assembled IMG_1031 IMG_1032 IMG_1033 and Haim looked like he was talking to the tree IMG_1034 IMG_1035 as the caterer and Bob IMG_1036 and Ruby IMG_1037 and Haim IMG_1038 prepared for the family portraits IMG_1039 IMG_1040 while Bob took the one IMG_1041 which also included me. After Bob IMG_1042 loaded his car IMG_1043 we called it a day.

Next morning, we packed the car IMG_1044 said one last good bye IMG_1045 as Jane IMG_1046 got in the car and we drove to the bagel factory IMG_1047 in Squirrel Hill before hitting the highway where everyone's legs IMG_1048 and feet IMG_1049 helped propel us to the rest area IMG_1050 where the turnpike map IMG_1051 told us where we were and Suzanne IMG_1052 and Ben IMG_1053 suggested where they wanted to be, as I ate my pizza IMG_1054 and Jane her Boardwalk fries IMG_1055 as Suzanne explored the gift shop IMG_1056 Ben checked out the video games IMG_1057 and all of us hoped to never eat another meal in Sbarro's.

Goodbye Ligonier.