Weekends away offer many gifts.
Time with friends and the chance to fill up with the good things in life.
Loud laughter. Quiet Conversations. New card games. Old music. Much wine. Not enough dancing.
Nourished by meals prepared together and shared around a large family table.
Long walks and talks, and peaceful moments at the river’s edge.
Early morning photography sessions and late evening songs around the campfire.
And arriving home rejuventated, with major life decisions made.
Gifts indeed.
Family and Friends.
I’m so very fortunate to have been loved and surrounded by both this past year, and I truly believe that I would not be where I am today without them. One year ago this coming Saturday, the final destination of a 4 day fall bike trip was the Harvest Festival at a winery in North Carolina. After being struck while riding my motorcycle through an intersection, the plans changed dramatically.
As the anniversary of the wreck drew nearer, friends and I talked about ways to recognize the one year mark. If I think too much about the wreck, it freaks me out (just a bit!), so I just keep focusing on celebrating life!
My friend Amy suggested that we come full circle and “finish” last year’s trip. So despite the rain, we headed off to North Carolina’s Wine Country. Home to more than 100 wineries, we decided to visit 3 of them. Amy doesn’t ride, so we took off in the truck.
I’m sure you’ll not be surprised to hear that I have many, many photos to process, but I wanted to share a few with you today. It rained on and off the whole time but we had a blast none the less.
Thank you, Amy, for coming full circle with me!
As you read this post, I’m driving to Pittsburgh with my friend Ruth to watch the Virginia Tech / University of Pittsburgh Football Game.
Life never offers me a dull moment, and I’m doing my best to practice gratitude daily!
The women rush through the kitchen door, hands burdened with bags of food from a quick run to the store, and faces burdened with the cares and worries of the day. Each one feels sure she is the only overwhelmed one in the group, but very quickly realizes that she is not alone.
The house is cluttered with the detritis of the week … piles of mail on the table, various pairs of shoes scattered about on the floor, books perched on every surface … but the porch chairs have been brushed clear and the table tops are clean.
The food is quickly laid out on the table,
flowers placed in a vase,
and the candles are lit.
The talk that initially bursts forth after being surpressed all day eventually calms, and the women begin to relax, surrounded by friends who know and understand.
The porch offers a welcome respite from the world, even if temporary.
And we breathe …
You all understand the thrill of vacation. The planning and preparation are over and the travel is about to begin! I’ll be heading out to the Chesapeake Bay and then Bethany Beach, DE (by truck) and then back home to switch vehicles and head out on the bike to Kentucky. Needless to say, I am excited!
This photo is from my annual gathering with the GOAs. We’ll be returning to this same island and I cannot wait to get to the Bay and bring out the camera.
Gwynn Island is quite remote and I’m not even sure there is cell coverage. I do that know there is no internet, which means that I’ll be missing out on all of your gorgeous photos, captivating stories, and interesting updates. Please let me know of any particularly important ones that I’ll miss while gone.
See ya soon!!
Saturday morning, the GOAs are waking, and it’s time for coffee and catch up.
This is one of my favorite mornings of the year.
Coffee – Companionship – Comfort
Decades of Friendship, Warmth and Light
Life. Is. Good.
Cheers to you, my blogging friends!
You have embraced my blog, enhanced my life, supported my health, and made me better in so many ways.
Peace, contentment, joy, and health to all of you! Have fun and Ride Safe!
Yummy snacks
plus a designated driver
plus amazing friends
plus locally owned restaurants
plus magical light
equals another great BGs celebration, our first in Roanoke!
Everyone knows what it’s like to come home from vacation with a ton of digital images to sort through, delete, edit, and post. Well, add to that my ignorance with technology and getting photos from camera to tablet and back off tablet. Ah well … lessons learned (and still to be learned in terms of patience).
Part 1 of the 2013 Bike Trip involved a 550 mile ride to Urbanna, Virginia and back. It was a glorious 3 days on the Rappahannock River and on the Middle Peninsula. I’m home for 24 hours before heading back out. Lots to do, including figuring out that technology problem, before getting back on the bike early tomorrow morning. Can’t wait!
For now, know that I enjoyed …
Sunrises….
The beauty of the water …
The elements …
The wildlife …
A whole lot of fun with the GOAs (Girls of August; friends from grad school 20 years ago; this was taken with someone’s phone; I’m in the VT cap) …
And a little history on the way home … Appomattox, Virginia … the old jail house
Hope you enjoyed these! More to come!!
Another rain free evening (twice in 10 days!) in yet another lovely backyard.
You just can’t beat the golden hour, especially when you’re enjoying it with friends!
If you lived in the Northern Virginia area in the 1970s, you may very well have been part of a military family. My father, a 30 year Naval Officer, was stationed at The Pentagon during that time and we lived in a neighborhood that, while not a military base, was full of other Navy, Army, Marine and Air Force families. Being raised a Military Brat is like being a part of a unique culture that only those who lived it understand.
Military families move frequently and friendships, often made quickly, endure. Many of the friends of my parents were like Aunts and Uncles to me and I remember them as fondly as I do some of my own extended family members.
This past Sunday, two former military families (Navy and Air Force) met for a reunion at Jefferson Vineyards in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Buchwald and Maddox families became friends in the 1970s and have shared many of life’s good, and challenging, moments.
Virginia boasts over 220 wineries and has become known for wines made from the Viognier and Cabernet Franc grapes. The Charlottesville area, a central location for most members of the 2 families, has over 25 wineries. We chose to meet at Jefferson Vineyards.
Fittingly, our celebration was held one day after Mr. Jefferson’s 270th birthday.
It was a gorgeous spring day and some of the flowers were starting to bloom (at least those that survived the snow storm last week were blooming).
The trees were starting to leaf as well.
We enjoyed a private tasting followed by a picnic lunch.
I’m confident that it wasn’t just the wine that had us laughing.
And the wine casks (which my sister kept calling caskets) provided excellent seating for group pictures.
It was the perfect place for a reunion! Check it out if you’re in the area!
And no … I didn’t ride the bike … wine and motorcycles just don’t mix … at least for me!
This last photo is from the Jefferson Vineyards website.
http://jeffersonvineyards.com/
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 