I’ve been away from South Florida for 11 days now. It took about 28 hours to drive 1,722 miles. The first day I drove, I went straight up I-95 into GA and the Carolina’s, but took a detour towards Asheville, NC to see my longtime bff Caroline and spend the night. It was a quick fun visit, and trust me when I say I’ll be back. I drove the next day up through Tennessee, over the Mason-Dixon Line, around the outskirts of NYC and into Connecticut. What a crazy beautiful drive that was–it definitely left me thirsty to see more on my way back down! Somewhere around 10pm it started to downpour and traffic came to a complete stop. I had about three more hours to go, but I wasn’t about to deal with the mess. So, I pulled off I-84 into a 24hr McDonald’s somewhere outside of Waterbury, ordered a chicken wrap, and went to sleep in the cocoon I created in the back of my Q5.
I woke the next morning to a phone call from my poor worried mother. I slept like a rock actually, she probably didn’t though (sorry mom!) The morning commute went smoothly as I drove up through Mass and into NH. I stopped off to see my dad at his work since I knew I wouldn’t be seeing him for the next few days… for it was bachelorette time!! My girlfriend Justina, that I’ve known since preschool, was marrying the man of her dreams. Now that’s something to celebrate, and we did, with class. You know, we decked her out with
penis-shaped-everything we could find! She owned it, just another reason why I love her. The whole bridal party slept like rocks on the limo ride home. The wedding was simply beautiful; a country style theme with an outside ceremony and reception. God couldn’t have given this wonderful couple a more amazing day. Blue skies, a light breeze, good people and delicious food. Justina and her family also rented out the most adorable, rustic, beautiful bed and breakfast, located in Hebron NH, a very quiet, very small town with a calm lake nearby. The bed I slept in was made in the 1800’s, and the two nights I slept in it absolutely rocked my world; it was some of the best sleep I’ve ever had. The windows were open, allowing the cool air to circulate around my room. Sounds of crickets and bullfrogs filled the night.
That Sunday after the wedding, I woke up to the smell of sausage and blueberry pancakes being made in the kitchen. After breakfast, I freshened up in the outside shower. There’s something about showering outside in the raw, fresh air that awakens the mind, body, and soul.
Later that night, I met back up with the bride and groom and another friend to grab some munchies at my favorite little place in the Lakes Region– The Common Man! I’ve been going there since I was a little girl, and it still looks and smells the same. It’s an old barn converted into a rustic, very comfortable, two story restaurant and bar. They run the fireplace upstairs in the winter, and open the upper porch up in the summer. I almost always get their escargot (whatdya know) but instead I ordered a steak bomb sandwhich and a Sam Adams Summer. Oh yes.
The next few days since, I’ve had some good bonding time with my dad. We watched the World Cup and grilled out a couple of nights– steaks, burgers, BBQ chicken. We took a trip to the farmer down the road and picked up some super juicy strawberries, plump tomatoes, carrots and now a new favorite of mine, mesculin mix (greens, herbs, and flowers!) I helped him with his and my uncle’s own garden. Plucked some weeds, mowed the grass, and discovered the fruits of their labor were definitely showing!
Fourth of July weekend was relaxing, and I didn’t mind. It rained on the 4th, but the next day we celebrated with close family friends. We went upta camp, and took a boat ride, went swimming in the lake, and ate some grilled goodies. The fireworks later that evening were the cherries ontop of a lovely, patriotic day.
I must say, it’s definitely weird coming back to the place I grew up in. So many things have changed yet I still get the same, comfortable, low key vibe that this place gives off. The air still smells so fresh, and for the first time, in a long time, I could see the Milky Way painted across the sky. A chorus of birds is my alarm clock every morning, and I love it. They’re familiar sounds that I welcome into my ears to start my day. It felt good to be home, and I could begin to feel my roots tickle and come to life as I spent more and more time here. But I’m starting to get antsy, so it’s time to lift up and take off again. Next stop? The great state of Maine 🙂
Happy days and nights all.
BLONDIE WANDERS... 