And this year it seems to be starting early, not for the weather for that has been very cool in the Northeast this year. No, my school reports are done and submitted and Memorial Day came a week early. Memorial weekend seems to be the kick off for the summer and if the next three months are anything like this past weekend, I'll be happy.
Pat and Chrissy came up for the weekend and after picking them up at the New Haven train station on Saturday afternoon, we headed straight for a friend's where their annual Shad Bake was happening. Now this is a great party (no photos, I'm afraid so you'll just have to use your imagination). They hammer large fillets of shad to 30-year old White Oak boards with bacon and stand the planks around an open campfire. After about 40 minutes (depending on how hot the fire is), the shad is done. Then everyone gets to dig in to the salads and desserts that people have brought. Typically there are the killer baked beans, Silver Palate brownies (if you haven't tried them, do), and to top off the evening, S'Mores and cooked marshmallows as we sit around the fire ring.
Sunday morning dawned bright and early, and I mean early as Pat, Chrissy and I were meeting other friends who had invited up to go Striped Bass fishing on Long Island Sound. We left the house at 6:15 to get to Noack for a 7 a.m. cast off. No need to describe the beautiful day and the fun. These photos will speak for themselves.
Hosts Ed and Sandy Shanahan
Sandy with Pat and Chrissy
Ed and Chrissy
Ed and Pat
It was a gorgeous day and despite it looking like the Merritt Parkway out on The Race, we all caught fish.
Chrissy caught the only Blue Fish
Kissing the Striped Bass
The Old Salt!
My turn
Thank goodness for Joey and her strength training classes!
It was a great day.
The next time we all see these two, it will be at the wedding!