talked with the very tired looking county officer. He

talked with the very tired looking county officer. He informed us Route 9 was closed between Route 84 and Poughkeepsie. Hyde Park and the Culinary Institute are north of there. He checked with dispatch who had no idea when the road would be reopened. Although all county roads were officially closed he kindly helped us figure out how to detour the area. We ended up driving along the Taconic Parkway, one of the most beautiful drives in New York State.

After surviving the fury of the storm in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Betty and I now had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the aftermath in the mountains of New York. We arrived safely at the Culinary Institute at 11 a.m. to find that the whole area was without electricity and that classes were canceled.

At the residence hall we were informed that there was good news and bad news — we had a room, we had hot water, we had not heat or lights, but there was a free lunch waiting for us at the Student Center! It was 10 p.m. before we had electricity and knew that there would be classes. And what classes they were!

Betty baked and decorated and found all sorts of new methods and equipment to use to create fantastic wedding cakes.

My class in Contemporary French Cuisine was beyond my expectations. Chef Viktor Baumann was bom and trained in Switzerland and has worked all over the world. He has been teaching at The Culinary Institute for 12 years. He taught, he discussed with the class, he demonstrated and he assisted.

Although we were in class for only three days, he made sure we had more than the promised course hours.

We prepared 16 complete dinner menus, plating at least three courses for each meal and then after his professional critique, enjoying the efforts of our labor. It was totally exhausting and exhilarating! Now to put it all to work at Thistle Hill.

Post Script: At the time l didn 7 tell Betty, but / was more frightened than I had been when Charles and I were rescued at sea!