Finishes and Starts

My good intentions to complete my recent trip to the east coast somehow were lost in catching up with life back in Chicago. Now I am preparing to leave on another trip which came up rather suddenly. I'll be accompanying my daughter and granddaughter to California, caring for Penelope while Emily attends meetings in the Palo Alto area. Driving back to Illinois from the east, I enjoyed the beautiful reds and yellows particularly in Pennsylvania. It's the first fall colors I've seen in recent years. Coming into Chicago via the Skyway, Dan Ryan, and Lakeshore Drive was easy compared to my Sunday drive through Washington DC. I learned my lesson to look at a map instead of trusting the GPS entirely. It really wasn't a problem as I was able to reacquaint myself with the city I visited so often with Les in the 90's. The trip provided me with three of my favorite activities, dulcimer playing, bicycling, and sailing. The sailing aboard friends Don and Elizabeth's 38' foot sloop ADRIATICA was very special.(Elizabeth at the wheel pictured) The Chesapeake is a wonderful body of water to sail with great anchorages, one of which, Still Pond, where we overnight-ed. The second night we went into a dock at Woonton Marina and had a delicious dinner at the Harbor View restaurant with their friends Fred and Joyce. Both nights featured a rousing domino game, always great fun. Afterwards I was able to have wonderful visits with former neighbor Kathy, cousin Jim and his wife Jane and college classmate Cathy and her husband Bob. I am so fortunate to have these wonderful friends who welcome me into their homes (and boats) as my wanderings take me to their locations.

History Lessons

Today we rode from our Inn outside Rock Hall to Chesterton, founded over 300 years ago with many original buildings still in use. We took a self guided tour through the historic district which occluded buildings used by Washington College, the first college chartered in this country after revolution. Afternoon ride took us to eastern neck wildlife refuge established in 1962 part of the Atlantic flyway for bird migration. We also visited St. Pauls Episcopal Church over 300 years old whose grave yard includes the graveof Tullah Bankhead. The scene here is the waterfront view of our Inn

Sailing Day

Today we had a special treat, sailing on Chesapeake Bay aboard historic working Skipjack. Captain Ed harvests oysters Nov to April and does chattering the rest of year. We rode our bikes 10 miles to St. Michaels were we boarded. Our 5 hour trip to Rock Hall MD included much history of the area & oystering by our knowledgable captain. I also enjoyed watching how he handled the sails. Upon arrival we biked to a delightful B & B Inn at Huntington Creek where we will stay 2 nights.

Countryside

Today's bike ride took us out to farms near Easton. The roads were peaceful with small hills. We were most challenged by head winds. Our tour leaders fed us a delicious lunch under the trees of a family dairy farm and creamery. After lunch one of the owners gave us a history as well as explanation of the workings of the farm and the process of making artisan cheeses. It was quite fascinating to learn about the needs and care of the cows to create their natural products. Tonight a member of Easton's Historical Society gave us a tour of the original areas of the town. Their most famous resident was Frederick Douglas.

Oxford

Bicycled 18 of the 30 miles on today's tour. My right leg a problem all summer was acting up and I decided not to push it. Nevertheless it was a delightful day sunny and cool. Visited the town of Oxford over 300 years old was where we caught a ferry to continue riding to St. Michaels for lunch (rock fish) and docent led tour of Maritime Museum. Oxford known for it's fences with a small hole at the top of each picket, is having a fund raiser with artists doing a painting on 4 pickets as shown in the photo. We walked the small town checking them out before boarding the ferry. So much history in this area.

Bike ride

Today begins the bicycle phase of my fall adventure riding a rails to trails in Easton Maryland. It's a large transition from the week at John Campbell which ended with our ensemble performance of Danny Boy and an outstanding performance by our instructor. Tearful farewells and I headed for Raleigh NC stopping at Barbers Apple Orchard near Waynesviile suggested by roommate Claire. I bought honey crisp apples, apple butter, and an apple turnover which ended up being lunch. The drive to Raleigh was pleasant with signs of color change. I walked around town of Black Mountain which has 2 stores selling mountain dulcimers but couldn't find the stand I wanted. I arrived about 4:30 at my cousins house in Chapel Hill. It had been several years since we'd been together so we had lots of catching up. This morning after touring their spectacular garden I was on the road again. Sunday a. M. Is a good time to travel with light traffic. Still it was over 6 hours with only one stop. We are staying at the historic Tidewater Inn, a lovely hotel with a great crabcake. Tomorrow could be 30 miles. Hope I'm up for it.

Beautiful Day

It's been a beautiful day here in the mountains being with 7:45a m Morning Song today with David Brose a folklorist who led us in a "hootenanny with songs we all remembered & great imitation of Bob Dylan. Lots of laughter started our day. Worked on Modes on dulcimer class made simpler by our great teacher but still a bit complicated for my brain. Afternoon played songs & laughed a lot. Tonight will be attending gourmet dinner prepared by cooking class of which roommate Pam is a member. Photo is view of blacksmith shop which we can see from our room.