Home again after a wonderful weekend back in the Berkshires (unfortunately solo, Rich stayed at home with the puppies). I had the opportunity to spend more time with my mom and uncle from Seattle as well as see my sister and her family from PA. But that was just the beginning!
Fall has arrived in Berkshire County, or at least that was the rumor, but Friday afternoon and evening were sweltering. Hot and humid like the south! After that, Mother Nature settled down and gave us cool, fresh breezes to go with the fall colors and quickly falling leaves. Dry weather will make for earlier-than-usual bare trees.
Saturday was our family reunion where I saw relatives I haven't seen in 32 years. Well, don't we all look a bit different!! My father came from a family of 11 children so with spouses, children, ex's etc. it makes for a pretty large and varied bunch. Of course we had only a small subset of the whole group but it was fascinating to see aunts and uncles, who I had previously only known and viewed through a child's eyes, from an adult perspective. And to hear their stories of growing up and behaving like kids-it was really entertaining.
Seeing all of these older family members can't help but make you feel grounded and attached to a larger whole. Since we have never lived close to any family (mine or Rich's) for any length of time, it was a special opportunity to reconnect. Most importantly, this aging group got to spend a pleasant afternoon together - and for a happy reason, not another funeral. Even one brother who was missing was able to talk to everyone on the phone. I think everyone left with a smile in their heart. Wish the other couple of missing folks could have been there.
And I think I received the best gift of all. Not only did I see alot of faraway but familiar faces, I had a chance to glimpse, over both weekend visits, something I've always wondered about. My dad died 3 days after my 22nd birthday so I never had the blessing of an adult relationship with him. I've wondered so often what that would have felt like. My Uncle Rick looks SO MUCH like my dad, has similar mannerisms - and political views!! At first it was eerie spending time with him. But I quickly realized what a gift this was for me. I had this little window of time to see what it might have felt like, how the conversations might have gone, a bit of what I missed. It was wonderful!! I could not have asked for a more heartwarming visit and am looking forward to the time when I can travel back to the west coast to see him again.
So now it's back to school (tonight) and, I hope, subbing to earn some money. While we continue to plan for a future change of address (when???), we will start working on all those home improvement projects and spend time enjoying Maine while we can. Cuz after all..."it's the way life should be"!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Back Home Now
Sorry for the delay in this entry. As Rich indicated, last Friday we headed north on "big roads" to reach my Mom's in Richmond, MA by that night. It was nice to be able to see Lauren, briefly, for lunch beforehand though. The weather in Gburg remains warm and fairly summery so we weren't too shocked - yet. Stopped to buy ADAM'S COUNTY APPLES as promoted by Lauren-they're good!!
We arrived in the Berkshires about 9:00 Friday night to see my mom and visit with my Uncle Ricky from Washington (state). I have not seen him in 23 years! We stayed thru Sunday and had a great time catching up...couldn't have been any better ending to our vacation!
But, alas, our trip has draw to a close .We know this partly because of the wad of receipts (and no cash), because the realities of life are staring us in the face AND the weather is COOOOOL and fallish. Boo hoo. Yes, it was colder in the Berkshires than in Maine, but our trees up here are beginning to turn and the evenings are chilly. Summer is winding down gracefully...
While talking on the last leg of our journey, (boring I495, and most of you know what I mean), Rich and I reflected on what we had learned - and not learned- through our travels. Did we live into any answers?? Yes. We learned that we still love spending time together and wish we could do it more. We learned that there are some strikingly beautiful parts of the mid-Atlantic states and Gulf South...and there are some areas that just don't fit us. We learned that "our" plan of heading to Louisiana for two years might not be part of the Grand Cosmic Plan, but that's ok. There is something equally exciting - or more so - waiting for us. We have goals to work on while still in Maine and we will continue to be open and alert to those new challenges that might come along. So even though we are physically back in Maine, we will continue to be looking for paths to follow, leading us into the answers we await.
We arrived in the Berkshires about 9:00 Friday night to see my mom and visit with my Uncle Ricky from Washington (state). I have not seen him in 23 years! We stayed thru Sunday and had a great time catching up...couldn't have been any better ending to our vacation!
But, alas, our trip has draw to a close .We know this partly because of the wad of receipts (and no cash), because the realities of life are staring us in the face AND the weather is COOOOOL and fallish. Boo hoo. Yes, it was colder in the Berkshires than in Maine, but our trees up here are beginning to turn and the evenings are chilly. Summer is winding down gracefully...
While talking on the last leg of our journey, (boring I495, and most of you know what I mean), Rich and I reflected on what we had learned - and not learned- through our travels. Did we live into any answers?? Yes. We learned that we still love spending time together and wish we could do it more. We learned that there are some strikingly beautiful parts of the mid-Atlantic states and Gulf South...and there are some areas that just don't fit us. We learned that "our" plan of heading to Louisiana for two years might not be part of the Grand Cosmic Plan, but that's ok. There is something equally exciting - or more so - waiting for us. We have goals to work on while still in Maine and we will continue to be open and alert to those new challenges that might come along. So even though we are physically back in Maine, we will continue to be looking for paths to follow, leading us into the answers we await.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The slow road
This is Rich reporting from the road tonight.
2010 will go down in history as the "Summer of Road Construction". From one end of our trip, to what is too soon becoming the other end, road construction has been the most consistent aspect. Not even the heat has lasted as long. Today was another beautiful day, just as yesterday was. Sunny and comfortable.
We started in Asheville, NC, driving around downtown and visiting the Mast General Store. What a neat place to shop, or just poke around. If you ever need some candy from your youth (assuming you are over 30), this is the place to find it.
We next drove through Winston-Salem, then left the Interstate, and started our northward journey on a State Highway. Now we know why they built the Interstate system. We got behind every slow driver, truck and construction delay you can imagine. We even got stopped at 4:45 (middle of rush hour) while someone decided to string new cables across the highway!
We are spending the night in Harrisonburg, VA, in the heart of the Shennendoah Valley. The next town over is Bridgewater, the home of both Bridgewater College, and Lauren's friend Nick Picerno, the Chief of Police for Bridgewater College (long story, nothing bad). Very nice town, nice campus.
Dorrie had a flashback to gradeschool as we were driving around Charlottesville (yes, again). After much hard work and thought, she remembered all of the main characters from the Walton's, even the sisters who made the 'recipe'. Does anyone remember who the man was that they both liked? We took a side road looking for Walton's Mountain, and the Walton's museum in Schuyler, but gave up before we found it. Time was running short, and the road was still long. Besides, we had to leave something for next time.
It was about this point that it dawned on us that we weren't going to be able to take the slow road all the way through Virginia. So, in Charlottesville, we found ourselves back on the Interestate, this time heading west into the Valley.
Tomorrow is a day to make time. A straight shot up the highway to Gettysburg, lunch with Lauren then onto the Berkshires.
2010 will go down in history as the "Summer of Road Construction". From one end of our trip, to what is too soon becoming the other end, road construction has been the most consistent aspect. Not even the heat has lasted as long. Today was another beautiful day, just as yesterday was. Sunny and comfortable.
We started in Asheville, NC, driving around downtown and visiting the Mast General Store. What a neat place to shop, or just poke around. If you ever need some candy from your youth (assuming you are over 30), this is the place to find it.
We next drove through Winston-Salem, then left the Interstate, and started our northward journey on a State Highway. Now we know why they built the Interstate system. We got behind every slow driver, truck and construction delay you can imagine. We even got stopped at 4:45 (middle of rush hour) while someone decided to string new cables across the highway!
We are spending the night in Harrisonburg, VA, in the heart of the Shennendoah Valley. The next town over is Bridgewater, the home of both Bridgewater College, and Lauren's friend Nick Picerno, the Chief of Police for Bridgewater College (long story, nothing bad). Very nice town, nice campus.
Dorrie had a flashback to gradeschool as we were driving around Charlottesville (yes, again). After much hard work and thought, she remembered all of the main characters from the Walton's, even the sisters who made the 'recipe'. Does anyone remember who the man was that they both liked? We took a side road looking for Walton's Mountain, and the Walton's museum in Schuyler, but gave up before we found it. Time was running short, and the road was still long. Besides, we had to leave something for next time.
It was about this point that it dawned on us that we weren't going to be able to take the slow road all the way through Virginia. So, in Charlottesville, we found ourselves back on the Interestate, this time heading west into the Valley.
Tomorrow is a day to make time. A straight shot up the highway to Gettysburg, lunch with Lauren then onto the Berkshires.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Today we see the Smokies
Now my mom has been making pilgrimages to this part of the country for several years. She loves this area and we have never seen it. Today was the day.
We drove through Great Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park.Those mountains really do look like they go on forever! They are more forested than the western mountains of CO, WY, MT and ID and not as high, of course. There is a gentle, undulating rhythm as you look out across the peaks. Breathtaking. The roads are twisty and turny and fun! The tourist towns of the area are beyond tacky. Didn't stop, didn't want to. The smaller, quieter places are lovely.
We had the good fortune to be able to reconnect with an old friend from Maine today, Chris, and meet his terrific wife, Cathy, and brand new baby, Hannah. It was great to have the chance to see them all. We also had another reconnection- of sorts. While visiting the town of Hendersonville (really nice!!), NC, we found a little shop which sells intricate German Christmas ornaments (among other cool European treasures). The lady who owns the store lived for many years in Germany. She and her husband became friends with many of the owners/artisans of the German companies which produce these amazing wooden or pewter gems. Each piece, still after generations, is painted by hand by artists in their own homes. Ok, cool, so why is this a reconnection?? When Rich was young, his family lived in Germany and collected many German Christmas ornaments which have now made their way to our annual tree. He was DELIGHTED to see so many of the things he remembered from that time in his life and take that walk down memory lane with the shop owner. Sometimes, the most unexpected moments can just make your day.
Now we are winding down for the day with our respective books. Late afternoon ice cream served as dinner (see Mima, you're wearing off) so it's cheese and crackers now before bed. What would our children say? They would join us!!
Tonight we are staying in Asheville which we will check out a bit in the morning before heading back through Virginia. There are a few more towns we need to investigate......hee hee
We drove through Great Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park.Those mountains really do look like they go on forever! They are more forested than the western mountains of CO, WY, MT and ID and not as high, of course. There is a gentle, undulating rhythm as you look out across the peaks. Breathtaking. The roads are twisty and turny and fun! The tourist towns of the area are beyond tacky. Didn't stop, didn't want to. The smaller, quieter places are lovely.
We had the good fortune to be able to reconnect with an old friend from Maine today, Chris, and meet his terrific wife, Cathy, and brand new baby, Hannah. It was great to have the chance to see them all. We also had another reconnection- of sorts. While visiting the town of Hendersonville (really nice!!), NC, we found a little shop which sells intricate German Christmas ornaments (among other cool European treasures). The lady who owns the store lived for many years in Germany. She and her husband became friends with many of the owners/artisans of the German companies which produce these amazing wooden or pewter gems. Each piece, still after generations, is painted by hand by artists in their own homes. Ok, cool, so why is this a reconnection?? When Rich was young, his family lived in Germany and collected many German Christmas ornaments which have now made their way to our annual tree. He was DELIGHTED to see so many of the things he remembered from that time in his life and take that walk down memory lane with the shop owner. Sometimes, the most unexpected moments can just make your day.
Now we are winding down for the day with our respective books. Late afternoon ice cream served as dinner (see Mima, you're wearing off) so it's cheese and crackers now before bed. What would our children say? They would join us!!
Tonight we are staying in Asheville which we will check out a bit in the morning before heading back through Virginia. There are a few more towns we need to investigate......hee hee
A long ride......
I am mixing days here in my posts so please forgive. After visiting Natchez we headed north and spent the night in Pearl, MS right outside of Jackson. The next day was a long one of driving, getting tired and getting silly! We ended in Knoxville, TN and finally visited a Texas Roadhouse steakhouse. OK, the steak was just as good as everyone has said. Try it if you are not a vegetarian.
Here is my bit of wisdom for the day. Everyone believes they live in the most beautiful spot in the world or at least it represents some sort of paradise in their mind. I have heard folks say that who live (in my opinion) in much less than optimal circumstances-or even downright ugly places. But to them, it's THE BEST place...and isn't that wonderful? Even with it's looonnggg winters, Maine is right up there with the beautiful places in my mind. But many believe West Virginia is "almost heaven" or that they wouldn't want to be anywhere that isn't sweet home Alabama. Those license plate slogans mean something to them. Anywhere can be beautiful...it's how and where you look.
Here is my bit of wisdom for the day. Everyone believes they live in the most beautiful spot in the world or at least it represents some sort of paradise in their mind. I have heard folks say that who live (in my opinion) in much less than optimal circumstances-or even downright ugly places. But to them, it's THE BEST place...and isn't that wonderful? Even with it's looonnggg winters, Maine is right up there with the beautiful places in my mind. But many believe West Virginia is "almost heaven" or that they wouldn't want to be anywhere that isn't sweet home Alabama. Those license plate slogans mean something to them. Anywhere can be beautiful...it's how and where you look.
I'm behind...but I'm on vacation!!
So here is the overdue update. And, ahem, if I could just point out that I am not as behind in my posting as others (katie).
New Orleans was every bit as wonderful as ever. Yes, it was hot and sticky, but it's fun and energetic. It is the gastronomic disneyland that most only dream of, too! Over the course of 4 days, we had all sorts of delicious treats to eat and it's probably best that I don't live there because I would be the 400 lb woman who has to be taken out of her home with a crane. There are more intriguing bars and restaurants in that town than one could explore in a lifetime!
It was FANTASTIC to see Katie and Zoey. We took an interesting jaunt down to the bayou country where it is easy to see why the recent oil spill so critically impacts their lives. There is little dry, firm land down in the lowest reaches of LA. Not only are their livelihoods dependent upon the water but their very existence hovers on, over, or next to it 24/7. We saw evidence of oil both in the marsh grasses and along the beach in Grand Isle. There are also signs posted reflecting bitterness toward BP, similar to those following Katrina-and I can't say that I blame them one bit.
After sadly leaving NOLA, we headed north into Mississippi. We wanted to see Natchez and it didn't disappoint. If you want to see the lovely southern architecture of the 17 and 1800's - that which did not get destroyed during the Civil War, Natchez is your place. An awesome spot.
New Orleans was every bit as wonderful as ever. Yes, it was hot and sticky, but it's fun and energetic. It is the gastronomic disneyland that most only dream of, too! Over the course of 4 days, we had all sorts of delicious treats to eat and it's probably best that I don't live there because I would be the 400 lb woman who has to be taken out of her home with a crane. There are more intriguing bars and restaurants in that town than one could explore in a lifetime!
It was FANTASTIC to see Katie and Zoey. We took an interesting jaunt down to the bayou country where it is easy to see why the recent oil spill so critically impacts their lives. There is little dry, firm land down in the lowest reaches of LA. Not only are their livelihoods dependent upon the water but their very existence hovers on, over, or next to it 24/7. We saw evidence of oil both in the marsh grasses and along the beach in Grand Isle. There are also signs posted reflecting bitterness toward BP, similar to those following Katrina-and I can't say that I blame them one bit.
After sadly leaving NOLA, we headed north into Mississippi. We wanted to see Natchez and it didn't disappoint. If you want to see the lovely southern architecture of the 17 and 1800's - that which did not get destroyed during the Civil War, Natchez is your place. An awesome spot.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Back in The Big Easy!
OK. So I'm old and too pooped to post last night. But here it is Friday morning and I'll bring everyone up to date...
Yesterday morning we left Columbus, GA and almost immediately entered sweet home Alabama. We visited Auburn, home of football power Auburn University. This was on our list of towns to see. A very pretty place, a very impressive school. Then we began the LONG trek across AL in a crisscross way so it was a looonngg trip.
Probably the most memorable part of the Thursday journey was arriving in Biloxi, MS and traveling from there right along the Gulf Coast through Gulfport, Pass Christian and Waveland. We have never visited this area and certainly had not seen the landscape since Katrina came through. Wow. Using the stories on TV as our frame of reference, it is utterly incredible how much was wiped off the map. Some hotels and homes (very fancy ones) have been repaired or rebuilt and have that true Gulf look. The casinos, of course, are alive and well. But there remain so many house lots right along the shore sporting a curb cut, a driveway, and maybe steps to nothingness. Now I know there is much debate over whether those homes should be there in the first place and, moreover, whether they should be rebuilt. That controversy aside, it is shocking how much damage was done.
The beaches here are white and tropical. Also empty. The time of year or the oil spill? Don't know. We cannot see any evidence of oil driving through. And don't even get me started on the interesting plants!!!
The very BEST part of our day was our arrival in New Orleans, just in time to see the Saints victorious once again. Having left NO the day after their post Superbowl victory parade, it was fun to back for the beginning of their next season! We joined Katie at a bar to watch it all on a BIG screen. It was great to see so many friends we had met in the past. You can't beat the welcome NOLA offers!!!
So today is Friday and the old farts slept in while the young one had to go to work. There is some beautiful poetic justice in that....We will be relaxing today and trying to make contact with some people down here who are attempting to help us reach the big goal.....two years of disaster work.
Will post again with any news...
Yesterday morning we left Columbus, GA and almost immediately entered sweet home Alabama. We visited Auburn, home of football power Auburn University. This was on our list of towns to see. A very pretty place, a very impressive school. Then we began the LONG trek across AL in a crisscross way so it was a looonngg trip.
Probably the most memorable part of the Thursday journey was arriving in Biloxi, MS and traveling from there right along the Gulf Coast through Gulfport, Pass Christian and Waveland. We have never visited this area and certainly had not seen the landscape since Katrina came through. Wow. Using the stories on TV as our frame of reference, it is utterly incredible how much was wiped off the map. Some hotels and homes (very fancy ones) have been repaired or rebuilt and have that true Gulf look. The casinos, of course, are alive and well. But there remain so many house lots right along the shore sporting a curb cut, a driveway, and maybe steps to nothingness. Now I know there is much debate over whether those homes should be there in the first place and, moreover, whether they should be rebuilt. That controversy aside, it is shocking how much damage was done.
The beaches here are white and tropical. Also empty. The time of year or the oil spill? Don't know. We cannot see any evidence of oil driving through. And don't even get me started on the interesting plants!!!
The very BEST part of our day was our arrival in New Orleans, just in time to see the Saints victorious once again. Having left NO the day after their post Superbowl victory parade, it was fun to back for the beginning of their next season! We joined Katie at a bar to watch it all on a BIG screen. It was great to see so many friends we had met in the past. You can't beat the welcome NOLA offers!!!
So today is Friday and the old farts slept in while the young one had to go to work. There is some beautiful poetic justice in that....We will be relaxing today and trying to make contact with some people down here who are attempting to help us reach the big goal.....two years of disaster work.
Will post again with any news...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Sometimes finding what you like means finding what you don't like
We left beautiful High Point, NC this morning with the intention of making time across SC and Georgia. South/central SC just is not our cup of tea and, truly, didn't seem very friendly. A previous trip took us to Charleston and that area is lovely, the rest that we have seen, not so much! Northern Georgia goes back to rolling hills and the warmth (both personalities and the weather) that one would expect. We buzzed through Atlanta, wishing we could stop as I would love for Rich to see the MLK memorial and the Ebenezer Baptist Church which I was lucky enough to visit a few years back. We'll get there one of these days.
We had lunch at a Five Guys - the hamburger place that gets so much buzz from the president. It's good - excellent fries! As we headed west, the thunderheads grew quite beautiful but, as yet, have not shed a drop of rain. We just got back from dinner and the temp is still well into the 70's. We have landed in Columbus, GA for the night and have been welcomed heartily. Folks seem to get a glimpse of the license plate and always want to chat. That's wonderful!
Columbus is a very yuppy area, just next door to Fort Benning. We will have about a 45 minute ride in the morning to get to Auburn, AL - our next destination on the whistlestop tour. Our only experience with AL was a fast fly thru last August while bumping along in a Penski truck full of Katie's belongings. I remember thinking that it was entirely different than I imagined! I'll let you know if that is confirmed tomorrow.
Tomorrow night we will be happily watching the Saints game in New Orleans!! Yipppeee! This weekend will be fun with Katie and meeting with a few of Rich's contacts down here. I'd like to go to Central St. Matt's on Sunday. This is an interesting church where Maine folks have stayed on mission trips. It is the result of a combination of two churches following Katrina - one mostly black, one mostly white. Central, in a low lying part of town, was badly damaged when the levies broke. It had been the sight of a large daycare program, a necessary service in their neighborhood. Upon receiving the insurance money for the damages to the church, the congregation voted, rather than try to renovate the sanctuary portion of the church, to put all money into the daycare program. That's walking the walk. St. Matt's, in the Garden District, was needing to grow their congregation and invited Central to join them. Now I'm sure there were issues and growing pains aplenty, but these folks have blended into a beautiful congregation and have set a great example for the rest of us. Long winded explanation but think about it.
So, thats the news for today. We continue to marvel at the sights we see and delight in the people we meet. It seems wonderful to spend time with Rich, listen to good music and talk like we seldom get to. And we actually continue to enjoy each other's company! That says something. But we are running out of fun car games to play. And Katie, someday I will kill you for teaching your dad to play Yellow Car!!! News from home is that the beasts are doing well and we again, are so grateful for our puppy/cat/house sitter, Cindy.
Enjoy the day tomorrow and live into your answers.
We had lunch at a Five Guys - the hamburger place that gets so much buzz from the president. It's good - excellent fries! As we headed west, the thunderheads grew quite beautiful but, as yet, have not shed a drop of rain. We just got back from dinner and the temp is still well into the 70's. We have landed in Columbus, GA for the night and have been welcomed heartily. Folks seem to get a glimpse of the license plate and always want to chat. That's wonderful!
Columbus is a very yuppy area, just next door to Fort Benning. We will have about a 45 minute ride in the morning to get to Auburn, AL - our next destination on the whistlestop tour. Our only experience with AL was a fast fly thru last August while bumping along in a Penski truck full of Katie's belongings. I remember thinking that it was entirely different than I imagined! I'll let you know if that is confirmed tomorrow.
Tomorrow night we will be happily watching the Saints game in New Orleans!! Yipppeee! This weekend will be fun with Katie and meeting with a few of Rich's contacts down here. I'd like to go to Central St. Matt's on Sunday. This is an interesting church where Maine folks have stayed on mission trips. It is the result of a combination of two churches following Katrina - one mostly black, one mostly white. Central, in a low lying part of town, was badly damaged when the levies broke. It had been the sight of a large daycare program, a necessary service in their neighborhood. Upon receiving the insurance money for the damages to the church, the congregation voted, rather than try to renovate the sanctuary portion of the church, to put all money into the daycare program. That's walking the walk. St. Matt's, in the Garden District, was needing to grow their congregation and invited Central to join them. Now I'm sure there were issues and growing pains aplenty, but these folks have blended into a beautiful congregation and have set a great example for the rest of us. Long winded explanation but think about it.
So, thats the news for today. We continue to marvel at the sights we see and delight in the people we meet. It seems wonderful to spend time with Rich, listen to good music and talk like we seldom get to. And we actually continue to enjoy each other's company! That says something. But we are running out of fun car games to play. And Katie, someday I will kill you for teaching your dad to play Yellow Car!!! News from home is that the beasts are doing well and we again, are so grateful for our puppy/cat/house sitter, Cindy.
Enjoy the day tomorrow and live into your answers.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I think it's Tuesday. And, again, the weather is awesome.
Leaving Richmond, we headed southeast toward Rocky Mount. The first objective of the day is to see a bit of the coastal area. What can I say, we have to compare coasts, don't we?? The coastal plain that one crosses on the way to the ocean is flat, dry and sort of scrubby. There are an amazing number of farms growing tobacco and soybeans (I think). And North Carolina wins the prize so far for the most number of miles of road under construction.
Our first stop was New Bern which is at the mouth of Pamlico Sound. A terrific little place! We had a yummy seafood lunch and a little walk before turning inland again. This is an area we will definately have to return to on some future prolonged visit. We'd like to explore more!
Heading west, we drove through Raleigh and the surrounding rolling hills. If you don't look closely at the plants or the color of the soil, it looks alot like New England. At least it reminded me of the Berkshires where I grew up. Raleigh is a beautiful city and its easy to see why there are so many great colleges in the Raleigh/Durham/Greensboro area. Business development is flourishing around here too so if you've been wondering just where all the jobs are, I think it's here.
We wanted to check out a community called Cary and it, too, seems like a great place. We have been able to cover alot of NC today, even if in a cursory way. Our hope is to see the western most parts on our return trip. Rich is in love with the clumps of pampas grass that grow everywhere. I like what I assume is crape myrtle blooming everywhere you look. What can I say? We are easily impressed by roadside plants??!
Tonight is was Bojangles chicken in our hotel room (Katie, forgive us) and hopefully getting to bed earlier. Tomorrow we will be driving more and stopping less, in an effort to get across SC and GA. We will see how we do. Gotta have those pee stops, sorry.
Tonight we saw a pick up with three labs in it-one each of yellow, black and chocolate. Made us miss our babies a bit but we know they are in great hands and probably getting away with all sorts of things. I hope the weather in Maine continues to be beautiful so you can soak up every last minute of summertime. We are hoping to arrive in NOLA by late Thurs afternoon so we can catch the Saints game with people who love those Saints! Who Dat Nation!
Each day is bringing us more questions......
Leaving Richmond, we headed southeast toward Rocky Mount. The first objective of the day is to see a bit of the coastal area. What can I say, we have to compare coasts, don't we?? The coastal plain that one crosses on the way to the ocean is flat, dry and sort of scrubby. There are an amazing number of farms growing tobacco and soybeans (I think). And North Carolina wins the prize so far for the most number of miles of road under construction.
Our first stop was New Bern which is at the mouth of Pamlico Sound. A terrific little place! We had a yummy seafood lunch and a little walk before turning inland again. This is an area we will definately have to return to on some future prolonged visit. We'd like to explore more!
Heading west, we drove through Raleigh and the surrounding rolling hills. If you don't look closely at the plants or the color of the soil, it looks alot like New England. At least it reminded me of the Berkshires where I grew up. Raleigh is a beautiful city and its easy to see why there are so many great colleges in the Raleigh/Durham/Greensboro area. Business development is flourishing around here too so if you've been wondering just where all the jobs are, I think it's here.
We wanted to check out a community called Cary and it, too, seems like a great place. We have been able to cover alot of NC today, even if in a cursory way. Our hope is to see the western most parts on our return trip. Rich is in love with the clumps of pampas grass that grow everywhere. I like what I assume is crape myrtle blooming everywhere you look. What can I say? We are easily impressed by roadside plants??!
Tonight is was Bojangles chicken in our hotel room (Katie, forgive us) and hopefully getting to bed earlier. Tomorrow we will be driving more and stopping less, in an effort to get across SC and GA. We will see how we do. Gotta have those pee stops, sorry.
Tonight we saw a pick up with three labs in it-one each of yellow, black and chocolate. Made us miss our babies a bit but we know they are in great hands and probably getting away with all sorts of things. I hope the weather in Maine continues to be beautiful so you can soak up every last minute of summertime. We are hoping to arrive in NOLA by late Thurs afternoon so we can catch the Saints game with people who love those Saints! Who Dat Nation!
Each day is bringing us more questions......
Time to go south of the Mason Dixon
So now we are officially IN THE SOUTH. A beautiful day again with blue skies and light breeze. Our plan is to cross much of VA today with special stops in Leesburg, Culpeper, Orange County, Charlottesville and ending up in Richmond.
Leesburg is lovely-much like Alexandria but smaller and less expensive. Had a nice picnic lunch in a park. Still not very hot. Culpeper is just down the road and has been ranked as one of the most desirable places to live. It, too, is a nice town but seems to be a bit long on the housing developments and short on the historic aspects. You know the Roedners appreciate history...ahem....
The drive down to Orange County is spectacular with rolling hills, winding country roads, pastures and horses. The town of Orange, which is one we wanted to check out, is great. Despite being in a very rural area, it sports some beautiful architecture, neat shops and really friendly people. And yes, they get a little snow but it doesn't last long. Mmmmmm!
Next stop was Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia and a frequent part of the Waltons! Who of you is old enough to remember that show??? It is an amazing town/city with some cool urban development as well as the very classic landscape of UVA. That place has Thomas Jefferson written all over it! (Monticello is just up the hill and TJ did start the school.)
The day was getting long (and the energy getting short) so we then headed straight for Richmond, dinner, and bed. Tomorrow starts NC!
Leesburg is lovely-much like Alexandria but smaller and less expensive. Had a nice picnic lunch in a park. Still not very hot. Culpeper is just down the road and has been ranked as one of the most desirable places to live. It, too, is a nice town but seems to be a bit long on the housing developments and short on the historic aspects. You know the Roedners appreciate history...ahem....
The drive down to Orange County is spectacular with rolling hills, winding country roads, pastures and horses. The town of Orange, which is one we wanted to check out, is great. Despite being in a very rural area, it sports some beautiful architecture, neat shops and really friendly people. And yes, they get a little snow but it doesn't last long. Mmmmmm!
Next stop was Charlottesville, home of the University of Virginia and a frequent part of the Waltons! Who of you is old enough to remember that show??? It is an amazing town/city with some cool urban development as well as the very classic landscape of UVA. That place has Thomas Jefferson written all over it! (Monticello is just up the hill and TJ did start the school.)
The day was getting long (and the energy getting short) so we then headed straight for Richmond, dinner, and bed. Tomorrow starts NC!
The Adventure Begins...
We set out from Maine on Sunday morning. Our thanks go out to our wonderful friend, Cindy, who is house, puppy, cat, and plant sitting in our absence. That makes this all possible.....
So we covered a very familiar path to Gettysburg on Sunday and arrived to celebrate Lauren's 20th birthday. Rich was shocked when he realized it was her 20th (!) birthday-not sure where he has been. We also got to meet one of Lauren's best friends, Erin, so that was fun. She, too, is a reenactor so we could discuss things like seams and sontags! Also got to hear too much about the weekend birthday festivities...oh to be 20 again. It would kill us now, I'm sure.
Off to sleep and ready for an early start south in the a.m. The adventure really begins.......
So we covered a very familiar path to Gettysburg on Sunday and arrived to celebrate Lauren's 20th birthday. Rich was shocked when he realized it was her 20th (!) birthday-not sure where he has been. We also got to meet one of Lauren's best friends, Erin, so that was fun. She, too, is a reenactor so we could discuss things like seams and sontags! Also got to hear too much about the weekend birthday festivities...oh to be 20 again. It would kill us now, I'm sure.
Off to sleep and ready for an early start south in the a.m. The adventure really begins.......
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