BOTH SIDES OF OUR FAMILIES IN ONE WEEKEND?!? AMAZING!!
June 11-15, 2026
We were in Troy, NY for five nights so we could go to Cortland, OH for Howie’s Mom’s memorial service. We rented a car, packed our bags and headed out. It was actually nice to drive a car again. It was a 460 mile drive which wasn’t ideal, but absolutely wonderful to see Howie’s siblings and their families. We stayed with his brother Ken and our sister-in-law, Vicki. They both are amazing and whenever we are together, it just pick up where we left off from our last visit. Everyone attended a family service at Mom’s parents gravesite. They included Mom and Dad’s ashes in the front of the gravestone. With the perennials, it looked really nice.
We got back from Cortland on Sunday, June 14 and met up with my side of the family-my Mom and sister Laurie on Monday morning. Laurie and my first cousin Jennifer’s husband, Bob came with us through the first locks of the Erie Canal (Troy lock, the Flight of Five and lock 7). We ended in late afternoon at the Mohawk Harbor. Really wonderful to have so much help through these initial locks as we had only gone through one lock prior to the Erie locks.
Susie and Joni burying Mom and Dad’s ashes.
Ken, Vicki and Susie had planted some perennials at the grave site a few days before.
The Plevyak family-In the back row-Howie, Deb, Erin, Sarah, Max, Ken and Vicki. In the front row-Susie, Linda, Joni and Josie (Max and Erin’s daughter).
First lock on the Erie canal!
Bob, Linda and Laur - having three sets of hands is the best way to go through locks!
Turn left-Erie Canal, turn right-Lake Champlain.
Bella isn’t much help in the locks, but she is a pretty good companion.
Laur and Bob-a little relaxation between locks.
Howie’s birthday cake!