Walking the dry brook bed

Today, Grandpa, Adriana and I walked the length of our brook, from our street to the main road, through the woods behind our house. This can only be done in August when the last of the water has evaporated. We find all sorts of treasures along the way, most noticably beautiful Cardinal Flowers, an old stone bridge, and stone wall remnants of the early farm days. The character of the brook presents itself when dry, deep gulleys, sandy deposits, mammoth boulders, twists and turns. There was even what we think is an abandoned beaver dam. I have a video of the trek that came out pretty well...I'll try to upload it soon.
Luigi left yesterday for his return to Italy. He had a memorable 3 months in USA/Canada and met relatives that he had only heard of before this summer. He got to see New York City, Niagara Falls, Boston, and the 'forest' that we all live in. He was surprised that Americans don't eat at McDonald's every day (we did take him once on the New York trip, just so he could tell his friends in Italy that he'd been to one here). Keeping these Italian contacts open ensures our families that when one or more of us has the opportunity to visit Italy, there will be family there to visit, too.
Isak left yesterday for college in Maine. Before he left, I set him up with family e-mail addresses...just in case ;). Now, with 3 grandkids in colleges, e-mails are more important than ever. Whatever did we do before this???? Oh, yes, I remember. We wrote letters with pen and paper and snail mailed them...maybe one a week. Hmmmm!