Liam here...As we comment on the succession of our experiences, we'll also backtrack to the start in order to create a more complete picture of our journey. Today we're in Beachwood, NJ staying with George and Margaret Ann Bowers, Jessie's uncle and aunt on her papa's side (Margaret Ann is Andy's sister). It's a slow, relaxed morning, as we stayed up late feasting on a fabulous meal George spent most of the day preparing: a hearty veggie lasagna, garden salad, garlic bread, and apple pie with vanilla ice cream. Thanks uncle George! Our cousins Jake & Ryan, along with their lovely ladies Diana and Robyn (respectively) were also present at the feast; boisterous laughter carried into the neighborhood around Beacon Avenue well into the night. Much thanks to the Bowers for the cheer and generosity. Tomorrow we're off on our trajectory westward but hopefully not before we get out on Barnegat Bay's gorgeous waters!
So, now for the backtracking part....we've just returned to NJ, where we left our Subaru in the Bowers' backyard for two weeks. Happily car-less, we traveled by train, bus, boat and on foot in and around New York City and Boston. We caught up with aunts, uncles, cousins & old friends, made new friends, and created lots of great memories. I thought we'd run through some of those memories here (a sort of online journal...) full of delectable meals, drinks, and music that we encountered from the start of our trip.
On August 15, following a heartwarming send-off dinner at Ralph and Kate's, we drove away from Fayetteville to the motivating beat of Thunder Road (pure serendipity that it popped up on our ipod shuffle...). After stopping to pick up a Yakima roof box, generously loaned by good friend Brandon Simmons, our loaded down Subaru crossed the Mississippi River over the DeSoto Bridge to Memphis, leaving sweet home Arkansas behind. After six hours of restless sleep in a run down Howard Johnsons near Blue Goose, TN, we were psyched to get back on the road to Ferrum, Virginia, home of our dear friend Allison Harl and her baby boy, Eli.
Allison directed us to take scenic and winding Shooting Creek Road into Ferrum, along which we were impressed by sweeping views and thickly verdant valley ravines. We were reminded of the views and "yokuls" of the Ozarks. Allison greeted us at the end of her driveway on Franklin Street with tiny Eli nestled in her arms; she and Jessica walked from the roadside to Allison's front porch. With a widespread smile, I drove down the drive to park the car. What a pleasure to see Allison taking so naturally to motherhood. Soon after our arrival, Eli fell asleep in his "old man" slumber, and we caught up over locally produced wine and a tasty spinach, garlic, and feta quiche that Allison baked. The next morning we looked after the surprisingly calm two-month-old Eli while Dr./Mama Harl went to an English Department faculty meeting of the soon-to-commence Ferrum College fall semester.
After three days in and around Ferrum highlighted by a Chateau Morrisette Winery tour, a gourmet potluck at Allison's with a great group of local friends, and a hike along the Pig River, we headed for Bowie, Maryland, just 4 hours northeast. We pit-stopped for a hike along the Appalachian Trail, jogging through warm rain on the return hike. Once we reached Bowie, a leafy suburb of Washingtion, DC, we poured out of the hot car to greet Clare and Bryson Spangler and some hefty, cold margaritas that Clare, awesome hostess that she is, had just blended. It was my birthday, a memorable 33rd on August 19. We were thrilled to catch up with Bryson and Clare on their back deck, while their 1 year old boy, Brodie, slept upstairs in his room. Bryson surprised us with a homemade chocolate cake, a thoughtful greeting from old friends. We reminisced about previous fun times, from years past in Seattle and Alaska as we sipped maragaritas. Remembrance with old friends is the best kind.
The few days around the DC area were filled with walking, talking, pictures on The Mall, and eating ice cream. Unfortunately Bryson got sick moments into a delicious blue crab feast; he had to retire for the evening and after midnight Clare took the poor chap to the emergency room for some reviving fluids. However, he was happy to know his misery didn't keep us from a fun night chilling on their back deck, or from getting a fabulous lesson on the proper method of drinking scotch with Scotswoman Clare. Cheers for the hospitality Clare and Bryson! On this leg of the journey, we also caught up with my cousin Billy Young and his sweet girlfriend Rachel. He was about to start law school at George Washington U--a smart guy and an engaging conversationalist. Thanks for introducing us to your hip DC neighborhood, Billy and Rachel!
Saying goodbye to great friends, leaving Bowie, heading across the Chesapeake Bay into Delaware, we soon arrived at Primehook Beach. There we were greeted with beer and delicious honeydew melon after being led by Paul and Douglas down a short boardwalk to their Delaware Bay beachfront gazebo. A cool breeze blew as we caught up with Paul, Jessie's dad's best friend from college, and Douglas, Paul's partner. We were entertained by memories of Paul, Andy, and Pam and their gang cavorting around Maryland, Delaware, and NYC in their teens-20's. Douglas' loquacious, engaging stories were the source of many smiles and memories after our visit to this unique spot on the bay side of a beautiful wetlands preserve. And the purist crab cakes and locally grown veggies were phenomenal - thank you Paul and Douglas!
After a night in their antique filled beachside bungalow, we drove south to Assateague National Seashore and camped in the dunes after a four mile beach hike. Treated to a pink, orange and misty blue sunset, swarms of mosquitoes at dusk, tofu dogs and wading into the Maryland breakers, we slept a bit restlessly in the cozy tent. Getting up the next morning, jarred awake by a baja-style driving session on the beach, we were off for points north: New Jersey, New York, and Bean Town!
Now off to enjoy the late summer warmth in Toms River on our last East Coast day.
next post: jessie dishes on food, tunes and rollerskating in NJ, NY and MA...
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