We are sitting at my brother's in central Pennsylvania listening to the news of a spring snow storm hitting western Pennsylvania and moving north. It does make me want to return to the sunshine and heat of the south. But, as we traveled north from South Carolina (and the last post), we did get to see some of the signs of spring that we love. I'll show you some of the sights as we visited friends in the Chesapeake Bay area, visited my sister in New Jersey, another sister in Pennsylvania and now my brother here in Harrisburg.
One of the joys of travel is certainly making new friends. Jim and Tanya are camping friends from Big Pine Key. When we realized we were driving near them on our coastal route back to Maine, we took them up on their invitation to visit their home along the Chesapeake in Maryland. Tanya spoiled us with her wonderful meals that included Jim's favorite 'big breakfasts' - a house special when guests arrive and also the seafood feast that included oysters, shrimp, clams and mussels (picked by Jim). We also made a new friend, Barbara.
Jim and Tanya have a Roadtrek - the kind of van ours will be when it 'grows up'.
We were treated to two boat rides on Jim's Boston Whaler. He showed us the town of Criswell, the 'crab capital of the world, the crabbing boats and crab shacks where the soft shell crab is 'born'.
Next stop, New Jersey with my sister Sherry and her life-partner, Jim. Truly, their home was surrounded with the most beautiful blooming trees that included different colors of Dogwood, Lilac, Weeping Cherry, Apple, Peach, Cherry and Redbud.
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| Sher, Jim and I |
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| White Trillium |
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| Blood Root |
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| Spring Beauty |
We also found some spring flower 'friends' as we hiked in the woods behind their house. It is always a treat to visit my siblings. All the colors of spring added wonderful touches to our visit with Sherry and Jim. They fed us such wonderful meals, including wild salmon fish chowder and deep-fried Walleye caught by Jim, and Lemon Sponge Cake made by Sher. When we leave, I always wish we had more time to be together, to talk, and to share about our respective life journeys.
We left Sherry and headed Dotty and Forrey's house between Philly and Reading, Pennsylvania. Dotty had made a wonderful plan for our visit that included a trip to both Washington, DC (where Forrey works now) and New York City. We packed a lot in our six days together, even visited the Lancaster Farmer's Market and my nephew Hank. (Please check out his blog at Hank Buffington.com and see what an accomplished artist he is in addition to being a great stay at home dad to their five children.)
I'm sure you'll recognize the next set of photos from DC.
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| World War II Memorial |
Another great day trip to New York City, where we visited the Brooklyn Promenade for wonderful views of the bridge and the southern tip of Manhattan. Then onto to the Fraunces Tavern where George Washington said goodbye to his generals. We visited Wall Street, and saw the demonstrators at one of the original sites of "Occupy".
For me, the most powerful stop was at Ground Zero!
We finished off with a stop in Times Square, pizza at John's Church right near Sardi's and then back on the bus for the trip home to their house. It was another great day!
Dotty and Forrey took us for Sunday Brunch the day we left, for a final send-off celebration. They spoiled us with the wonderful trips Dotty planned, with wonderful movies and BBC series that we all love, and always with the fun of being together. I am blessed to have a family with such generous hearts.
My brother is our final stop before our visit with Carrie, Jay and the girls. Tomorrow, it is off to New Hampshire, and to Sari and Lyla, your Grammie and Meme are on their way and can't wait to see you and hug you.
Thank you to everyone for all the kindnesses! You will hear from us again when we are sitting on Chemo Pond, Eddington, Maine. Love and Hugs, L&L
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