48 hours down South

I spent a quick weekend down in North Carolina to meet with some old buddies at my high school reunion (class of 2002).  It wasn't really well organized (it consisted of one three-hour evening at a loud bar downtown), but it was still fun to catch up with a few people I haven't seen in a while.  Before I went I realized that I have managed to keep in contact with most of my closest friends from school, so there was no real urgent reason to go to the reunion, except for fun, and the hopes that I would bump into more random people.  I only bumped into one long-lost friend.  Regardless, it was still a fun evening, although I got really nervous before entering the bar and would have chickened out had I not been with Danielle. 

The next day was really a treat and made me very happy that I came down for the weekend: I went to the NC State Fair with Meghan!  I hadn't been to the fair since (I believe) junior year of college, when Seth and I took Synni.

 Thankfully not too much has changed, except there had been a noticeable surge in deep-fried creations, and all the weird little freak shows--the world's biggest horse, the snake lady, bear exhibit, etc--had quadrupled in price!  At least I got that stuff out of my system while I was young and it was cheap!

Crazy tree lady

Me as Frog Boy

Meghan getting some roast corn!

The bunny exhibit had some real lookers

If you can imagine it, you can deep fry it

All those turkey legs!

Deep fried brownie, deep fried mac & cheese, and much more!

A great fall day with Meghan!

My favorite part of the afternoon: Me with Mr. Owl (he's giving me the 'stink eye')

Newport, Rhode Island

A little fall retreat was in order so yesterday my favorite traveling partner and I took a day trip to Newport, Rhode Island.  While some sight seeing was definitely a part of the plans, we also got to spend the day with one of Seth's old friends from high school, Sasha. 

We started off with the Cliff Walk, one of Newport's claim to fame.  This was a long path that meandered between the rocky shore and giant, whimsical Gilded Age mansions (aka 'white elephants' to some).  

 

As you might guess, rich people must be a little eccentric

...yeah

An additional Newport attraction is the mysterious Tower in the center of town.  Although the prevailing theory holds that it was a windmill from the mid 1600s, others believe it might have been made by vikings as early as the 1100s, or that it even has some astronomical importance.  What the heck??

 

Sasha, Seth, and me getting some RI seafood to finish off the day.  Yay!

Here's to Fall

Our secret raspberry bushes are slowly drying up, the poison ivy is golden and shriveled, and leaves are falling. I just love this season :o) After a couple crazy weeks, it is time to slow down and finally enjoy my favorite month. It doesn't last long!

Grape pie.  Actually, this was the birthday cake Seth requested.  The amazing grape puree was provided by Melissa's mother (thanks!).  It was pretty runny at first but it did firm up nicely by the next day.

Seth playing at the town's third annual Fall Fest out in front of the public library.  We lucked out that it didn't rain!

Thanks, Prospect Hill Park, for the gift of yet another spectacular autumnal showing!  However, we did have a recent scare when our dog-walking friend was chased by three coyotes.  We now run equipped with pepper spray.  We live adventurous lives.