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Monday, June 21, 2021

A beautiful Father's Day 2021 via the Back Roads!

The opportunity to visit Harpers Ferry, WV on Father's Day was not lost on me and is blog post-worthy.

2014- March, my father and I waited and waited for Joe, Clare, and Peter to emerge from their Appalachian Trail experience.  2021, Sally and Joe emerged from their own Appalachian Trail experience.









My father loved Harpers Ferry, and this beautiful painting captures him in his happy place so well. Being here, eating a great lunch, with fabulous people, looking at the same station was such a wonderful way to spend Fathers Day 2021.

Joe and Sally's trip with dear friends Brian and Izzi, supported by Nana and me, was something special. I'm reminded of the important lessons to get away, go for a walk, challenge yourself, try something new, share, and one of the final sentiments my father said...take the back roads! The Maryland backroads are beautiful and all the more so when shared.

Come back soon for a guest blog appearance from the wonderful father here in our lives on Newark-Granville Road!  Joe, thank you for being an amazing father, partner, spouse, friend- Happy Happy Father's Day to you!


Sunday, June 6, 2021

Life on Newark-Granville Road- Escape South with SeaViews!

Five days ago I answered: 

Vacation, Road Trip, Adventure, Woo Hooo 

to Facebook's "what is on your mind?"

I was ready to "get away", "take a break", call a "time out", "retreat"....all words describe what I needed, what I received. and what I embraced.  At the invitation of a dear friend we visited their beloved seashore destination. Quality time with my mother and daughters, with other mothers and daughters, and friends was a gift. We took a step back in time as the ocean-front Inn had no AC, family style meals and limited cell phone use. It took my mother and me right to our beloved Naidni vacations in Vermont. It took some getting use to for my girls but they accepted the environment. Probably because it felt like camp, it did for me. I said often this was my gift of "camp".  Thank you Amanda for being my camp counselor/director!  Biking, kayaking, cocktailing, swimming, shopping- Pawley's offered it all. What made it truly special was the intimate, charming Inn and wonderful women representing ages 14 to 80 sharing stories, insights and connecting in restful, restorative, refreshing ways.

Pawley's Island- I'd like to return and continue to explore. Our three days were really quite heavenly but not near enough time. I can't wait to take Joe back and share the delightful charm and escape with him! Highlights of our time included the road trips- Clare and I went to Maryland so we could travel together- Sally opted for the direct route with a stop for Columbia, SC hospitality. When driving south Nana/Mom/Jeanne and I both always pursue BBQ and never from a chain. We found our way to  the back roads (thank you Daddy). In Virginia's we were serenaded by secadas!

As I reflect on this gift of time with beautiful women in this beautiful place, it connects to the start of the trip. On Memorial Day mom took us to visit family graves and the theme was strong women- Aunt Eddie, Amanda Tallman, Clara Price- faith, education, commitment to family, the arts and community were the stories retold. This continued and continues with the women on this trip. I'm so grateful for the chance to share with Clare and Sally the impact of southern hospitality and taking time away together.  Pictures share the rest of the story....want to know more, just ask! Life on Newark-Granville Road...southern style!