It’s good to be home again after our summer meanderings. No sooner had we returned from South Africa and England, than we were off on a road trip up to New Jersey to visit our family. There was just enough time to get the laundry done and for hubby to hurriedly tidy up the patio area which had become a bit weedy during the six weeks we were away. Several orchids were in bloom, which was a lovely welcoming sight.
Our son was taking the last week of the school holidays off work and as he had a business meeting in Virginia on the Thursday before, suggested that it would be nice if we travelled up earlier than we’d planned, picking him up on the way so that we could have him all to ourselves on the five hour drive home. We of course jumped at the opportunity and were soon on our merry way. It’s just over twelve hundred miles from door to door, so we made two overnight stopovers, the first in Port Wentworth GA, known as ‘Savannah’s Front Porch’ and the second night in Fredericksburg VA, very handy for meeting up with him in Middleburg the following lunchtime.
In St. Augustine we stopped to buy some novelties for the three grandchildren, a pretty shell-covered trinket box for each of the girls and a real alligator head for Max. He was over the moon with it, but his mom seemed less than enthusiastic to keep finding it on her kitchen top and absolutely banned it from the dining table. She should just thank her lucky stars that the big alligator wasn’t for sale.
On the second day, at South Of The Border, we made our usual stop for Quesadillas and Chimichangas at Pedro’s restaurant.
Our son and daughter-in-law had organised tickets to an afternoon matinee on Broadway to see Aladdin, which was a real highlight for us all.
The family are all taking tennis lessons, so of course we had to go to the first day of the US Tennis Open. It was a really hot day, with very little shade and hordes of people with the same idea, but once we’d managed to get in, we enjoyed watching a few opening games. Thankfully I’d had the forethought to put sunscreen on, but hubby who is very anti-cream, got his knees and arms rather burnt.
A visit to the Metropolitan Art Museum the following day, had us all marvelling at the wonderful exhibits displayed there.
My personal favourite was this exquisite 1923 Tiffany window, titled ‘Autumn Landscape’ made solely from leaded Favrile glass with no paint added.
After being there for a week, we decided to leave for home a couple of days early because of the Dorian hurricane forecast which at that time included Florida in its path and we did the journey in two days instead of three. The last day was quite grueling, especially for hubby who did all the driving, but we had this friendly-looking cloud creature to cheer us on our way.
It was, as always a relief to get home again, and even more of a relief when Dorian didn’t visit our area at all. I think we’ll just spend some time right here in our comfort zone before we go off on our travels again. It’s far more relaxing.
Wishing you all a splendid weekend.
I love that window and aren’t the grandchildren growing up?
Me loo, Gilly. Yes, they’re all turning into proper people. 😀
Maybe, just for the sheer novelty of it, you should take a day here and there to do absolutely nothing! I suppose it would seem very strange.
Not much chance of that when we’re visiting family. They aim to fill every minute with activities. I think they forget how old we are. 😱☺️
Indeed; particularly when one has developed an appetite for a spot of extra dozing!
Wonderful that you could get together with your family Sylvia. We watched a lot of the US Open albeit from our TV and out of the sun. I hope the hurricane didn’t cause any havoc for you other than that grueling drive.
Thanks, Sue. Yes, I much preferred watching the tennis in comfort at home. You see far more detail too.
What a beautiful patio, it must be very relaxing and that view, stunning!
Lovely family trip ♥
Thanks, Linda. 😘
Looks like your orchids are extremely happy. I’ve been dithering about how to keep my plants alive while we roam the SW for perhaps a month. But know all too well that great feeling of returning home again. My travel bug seems to be getting more tame as the years add up! 😀
Yes, they’re doing so well all of a sudden. We have six in flower at the moment. Chris has fixed up a spray system which mists all our plants twice a day.
Last time we took a trip of about 10 days, I put all the plants in the shower with trays filled with pebbles and water and left a light on. They seemed to thrive, but it looks like the upcoming adventure might be quite a bit longer. Hope I can manage to keep from killing them all off. I don’t suppose you’d like to lend me Chris for a day or two?
Ha……..I’m sure your Eric can fix up some sprays, or do you have neighbors who can help out?
what a great summer indeed…
and enjoyed the photos – esp.
loved seeing the south of border and alligator pics – places many of us know from east coast rod tripping
and what a great thing that Dorian did not bring damage –
Thanks, Yvette. Glad you enjoyed the memories too. 😘
🙂
I remember the South of the Border chain, and seeing the giant sombrero on our trips from New England to Florida. The one we used to pass was in North or South Carolina.
Yes, this one is South Carolina. It’s a welcome stopover for lunch and a leg-stretch. 😃
Did you see me wave to you as you passed up along the I-95 corridor through Maryland and Delaware? 😉 That 1923 Tiffany window is magnificent. I am very glad to hear Dorian did not cause you any grief at home.
😆 I wish I’d been on the lookout for you, Donna. I’d have suggested we made a detour for a cuppa and a chat.
Glad you were spared the Dorian fury and made it home safe and sound. That is a long road trip for a few days.. but sounds like it absolutely was worth the effort! Not sure about that alligator’s head though 🙂 Way too weird.
Peta
Thanks, Peta. It is a long road trip and every time we do it, we say never again.🤣 Little boys do love weird stuff which is why I thought the ‘gator head was perfect.
Time off for good behaviour, Ad! 🙂 🙂 Sounds like a super summer.
Ha! Good behaviour. What’s that? 🤣
😇
A splendid summer with many activities! I know the feeling of coming home and really loving it! How great Dorian did not mess up things for you. Wishing you a great weekend.
Thanks so much, Ann Christine. 🙂
I am always impressed by your stamina! 😀
Me too, Nancy. 😯
That was a lovely summer time you had. I can understand after the trips getting back to your own home is so sweet. Please have a great weekend!
Thanks so much, YC. I so appreciate your visiting my blog. 🙂
Your summer was certainly eventful. Welcome home!
Thanks so much, Karen. 🙂
Happy travels, then!
Yes they were, and now I’m happy to be home again. 🙂
😊😊😊
Good seeing everyone enjoying exciting times together.
Yes, it was a great interlude, Eddie. 🙂
Sounded like quite a lovely summer, Sylvia. So lucky you got to see Aladdin on Broadway and the US open in the same week. What a treat, and also a treat to have the family together. That really looked like a friendly cloud up in the sky. Sort of like a friendly monkey 🙂
Thanks, Mabel. So happy you liked the monkey cloud. He obviously reminded you of Mr. Wobbles. 😀
The monkey cloud must have been related to Mr Wobbles 😀 Have a good week 🙂
What a wonderful summer, made all the better by coming home to a home untouched by Dorian.
Thanks so much. Yes, we got a reprieve this time. 🙂
My – you do get around
Hmm………sometimes a bit too much, Derrick. 😯
🙂
Looks like a wonderful trip !!!!!!!!!
Thanks so much, Chris. 🙂
I did wonder if Dorian came near to you. Good to know he didn’t. That stained glass is quite beautiful.
Thanks, Carol. The beautiful window isn’t stained glass as such. The variegated surface was made by wrinkling glass in its molten state. Different color effects were achieved by embedding tiny, confetti-like flakes of glass in the surface. The superimposition of several layers of glass on the back of the window, added depth. It must have been an epic mission to create and apparently the billionaire who commissioned it never actually installed it in his home after all, so a couple of years later it was donated to the museum.
It’s beautiful work.
what a wonderful summer you had, Sylvia! life is good! the stained glass is exquisite! thanks for sharing! 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. 🙂
Travelling around and fine meeting with your son and family but happy now to be home and so good Dorian has no visit your’e homeplace.Wish you know fine moments of rest
Thanks so much for your kind comment, Marylou. 🙂
Life is good!🤗🤗🤗
Yes it is. Thanks, Rebecca. 😘🤗
Of course the highlight of your fabulous summer travels was the stop over in New Jersey!!!
Since I live here in the Garden State I was looking forward to hearing about your adventures here. On the other hand if you raved about NJ too much you might have encouraged too many more people to settle here. So never mind, don’t bother…glad your other travels were wonderful.
Thanks so much for your comment here. I don’t believe I’ve ever been to Morristown. Our family live in Montclair. Is it quite close?
Lovely to read about your travels .. & always nice to get home…and we feel the same! I don’t know how tennis players cope with the heat in the US summer & the Aussie summer. I recognise that beautiful stain glass window from our time in NY… my favourite too. Pleased to read you avoided the Hurricane… now you can relax..🌞😀
Thanks so much, Gerrie. 😘
Lucky you to go to the Open. I spent hours watching on TV. Thankfully, Dorian passed you by and though it did do some damage further up the coast, it could have been much worse.
That, Lulu. We also enjoyed watching the tennis from the comfort of our TV loungers. 😃
So busy. But it is wonderful spending time with family
Absolutely, Colline.
Sounds like you had a wonderful and your family is beautiful.
Thanks so much, Cindy. They are precious.
Reminded me of the school days when we wrote essays about “What I Did on My Summer Vacation” … 😉 …. Loved the stained glass! … Thanks for sharing the variety of your busy summer! Welcome back, Sylvia.
Thanks so much, Frank.