Amherst Reunion - five years?!

After Thursday's aborted trip, we set off in style, flying First Class to Boston. Picked up our rental car (chatting in line with an Amherst alum from the class of '64), picked up Abbie in Wellesley, and set off.

Proceeded directly to Antonio's, where we couldn't be bothered to take pictures because we were busy crushing pizza. Mmmm... Antonio's. Dropped Jen off at Rao's and headed off with Abbie to the house on the hill via the trails behind Amherst. Ah, Amherst: 864 acres of bucolic beauty. What a paradise for four wondrous years. The House on the Hill is gone... moved. But the gorgeous view for which it was justly famed remains.


Abbie on the trail.


Classic New England meadow.


And why not: a perfect little pond, framed by the verdant green of late May.


Friday night the festivities began in earnest with a cocktail hour on Merrill Beach. (Merrill "beach" so-named because it was designed to hold water... but the architects failed to account for the weight of the water. So the "beach" is actually more of a desert). Enjoyed beers with some classmates, took in the beautiful views.


Time for dinner. Picked up my wife (time to show her off, after all) and joined the "tastes of Amherst" buffet, featuring all our favorites from our college years. Tasty. Some drinking games. Some victories.


We had loyal fans...


Who became opponents.


Called it a night in hopes of rallying for Day 2. Awoke around noon in time (barely) for the college luncheon. People lounged in the grass as we faced difficult decisions: to hike? To the pond? To get ice cream?


Facing the lingering effects of a strained achilles sustained in beach soccer, Jennifer and I opted for Puffer's Pond. Good decision.


We hung out with our friend Will for awhile...


Before being joined by the Stewarts. Bill was my Ultimate coach at Amherst and subsequent teammate with Metal - I love his family. Every time I hang out with them I feel better about humanity and prospects for the world... they just seem to do it right. Inspiring.

We played a little disc with 3.5 year-old Liam. Kid sports an impressive flick.


I love the look on his face as he retrieves the disc - which is at least half his size.

After a refreshing dip in Puffers (and by "refreshing" I mean "New England birth control" - was a little brisk) we returned to campus... and were greeted by this sight.


Unbelievable. Amherst ingenuity at its peak. These men (or "frat boys") bravely foraged into a home improvement store and purchased almost 200 feet of heavy-duty plastic wrapping. They then somehow acquired a hose and located a big hill. Voila: a massive slip n slide. I couldn't resist. I parked the car immediately, and - still in my swimsuit - joined the fun. Jen got a great video.


We had enough time to shower before the night began again: cocktail hour and a buffet dinner. More games. President Marx made an appearance - he's been doing amazing things for the college. Best president we've had in decades. He refused to chug a beer with us, but I won't hold it against him.


But Saturday night featured a highlight of special significance for me and Jen - Pete and J were playing, almost a year to the day after they rocked our wedding. First they joined their former acapella group for a concert.


And then took the stage to an enthusiastic reception from the home crowd. And the dancing began.


A few photos capture the flavor of the evening. College! The discerning viewer might note a certain progression in the photos...






We'll let that end the night (the discerning viewer will note the prominent beer stain... I blame Stephanie).

Sunday morning we awoke for brunch with the O'Connells. Barry was my thesis advisor and mentor at Amherst - a great guy who really cares about his students. His wife Kristin is every bit his intellectual peer; they're a wonderful couple.


Returned to campus and began to say our goodbyes. Sad!


The guys at the coffee shop... caffeinating the morning after.


After a parting visit to the local ice cream shop, we set out for Boston. The skies opened up to share our tears. We dropped Abbie at the airport and joined Kim and Dan at their new place in Jamaica Plain (fresh arrivals from Philly). Really good to see them. After a nice home-cooked meal, we holed up at Clery's and summoned friends from all corners of the city. A good crew.


And Sunday night ended late - our last night as newlyweds. At midnight it became official: we'd been married for a year! May the celebrations continue...