Trip highlights (sort of)

This is one of the many antique shops we visited in Wiscasset, ME. 

It's been more than a month since my last post. During that time, I spent two weeks on my trip east —half of it with Jordie and half of it with Kim. 

On the first half of the trip, Jordie and I drove to Chicago to sightsee and watch a Cubs game. Then we headed toward Baltimore to catch an Orioles game at Camden Yard, which is a super nice field. The game was fun, but it wasn't as awesome as Wrigley Field in Chicago, with all the crazy, screaming fans. 

After our Baltimore and Chicago (mis)adventures (driving in downtown areas pulling the trailer, I might add), we headed to Boston to do the touristy things. LOVED it! But I wish we had had more time.  I definitely want to go back.

Don't ask about our drive through New Jersey and New York City. HIDEOUSLY stressful. By the way, Gov. Christie is a thief. Those New Jersey toll fees are criminal. We paid $50 at one of them!! I don't know why, either, because the state's roads are terrible. Is all that money padding politicians' pockets, instead of going to road maintenance???

Kim and I sat at a little cafe for lunch in Townsend, MA. Lots and lots of little white churches in the Northeast.

Jordie and I had a great time at the awesome Wrigley Field. 

One of many fancy homes in Martha's Vineyard.

Jordie flew back to Amarillo from Boston, because school started in a couple of days for him, and Kim met up with me in Boston. Kim and I began the "girly" and antique portion of the trip with our Boston Harbor (Hahba) cruise and then our drive to West Townsend, MA. 

From Massachusetts, we headed up into Maine so I could shop at all the places I've only seen and heard about. I felt all giddy and like a kid in a candy store the whole time. Poor Kim. She's not into my kind of early American antiques. But she was a trooper anyway. 

This is the red-painted hutch table and yellow Samuel Gragg elastic back Windsor chairs I picked up in Massachusetts. 

We ate lobster rolls, and I don't even like lobster. These surprised me so much that I ate them at two different places. We saw so many beautiful homes and landscapes, I didn't want to come home. I wanted, instead, to tell Dorsey to pack up and move us to Maine. He would never, of course. 

I guess I'll just make another trip or two in my lifetime ...

After spending two nights in Portland, ME., which I really enjoyed and could have spent more time, Kim and I headed to Falmouth, MA., where we took the ferry across to Martha's Vineyard. We spent a day sightseeing MV,  and then it was time to head back home ... for two-and-a-half days.

The overall trip was great. I enjoyed everything we did, but I could have spent so much more time at each place. I felt disappointment at leaving each destination — except Baltimore. Baltimore scared the crap out of me. I learned, too, to avoid busy cities when pulling a trailer. Way too scary. I mean, really really scary. 

I also learned I need to learn to back up the trailer, even though I don't like it. To me, the best way to back up a trailer is to not have to. 

I found, too, that I can do just about anything scary (i.e., out of my comfort zone) I make myself ... I drove almost 5,000 miles. Just me. I didn't let Jordie or Kim help. (Audio books are the best.) 

Kim and I headed home by way of the southern states until we got to Flower Mound, where I dropped Kim off, spent the night and headed home. 

I missed my family and my zoo!  

Allie was so clingy when I got home. 

Max has sat in the water bowl since he was little. I don't think he realizes he's getting too big.

Emma's all snuggled up to Indy.

These three pups love one another.

It's been nice to be home — although I'm already thinking about the next trip east, next summer! It was that impressive to me.

I'll write a new post in a couple of days about what's been happening since that trip ... like painting projects and an antique show.  And Mama Kitty. 

More pics, too. 

Next up: Trip of a lifetime

Early Sunday morning, I begin my big journey east ... because I "have to" pick up some antiques I bought in Massachusetts way back in December.

But Dorsey can't go with me because he started a new job not that long ago — although he could go if he wanted, but it just wouldn't be right, you know? 

From the start, I've had absolutely no qualms about traveling that far by myself ... in my truck and pulling my trailer. I think that maybe, besides getting to have amazing antiques in my house and always searching for even better ones, the best part of being an antiques dealer is traveling to all the places I only dreamed about as a child. Maine is one of them. 

Ever since I saw the movie "On Golden Pond," (1981 ... I was 13), I've wanted to go to Maine. In my mind at the time, I never imagined in a million years I would get to go to Maine. Maine was like a whole different country ... even though it's super close to a whole different country. (Yes, I know "On Golden Pond" was not actually set in Maine. But, to me at the time, Maine and New England were synonymous. I think "On Golden Pond" was actually set in New Hampshire?" Someone Google it for me. I'm too lazy.)

Seeing Maine was so important to me that my first fiance (back when I was only 22) planned our honeymoon to Maine. That's how he proposed to me, in fact ... with a Maine travel guide. 

That marriage and that trip never happened.

But 25 years later, Maine is.

First, however, I get to hang out with my 21-year-old baseball playing, baseball loving son. 

So Sunday morning, Jordie and I set out toward Chicago, where we will watch the Cubs play the Brewers at Wrigley field. And while we're there, we will "do" Chicago as much as a day-and-a-half will allow.

Then we will head toward Baltimore by way of Pittsburg first, so that we can see the Orioles play the Astros a few days later. 

(Did I mention that one of the best days of my life — EVER — Hands down — Was when Jordie and I saw the Mets play in NYC while Dorsey worked in nearby Connecticut? Yes. As the song played on the train there that day, "This is gonna be the best day of my lii-ii-ife," it truly was an amazing day.)

After that, Jordie and I head to Boston and spend what little time we have left (a little more than a day)  to experience whatever we can. (Yes, we will be pulling a trailer, and that scares the ever-livin' daylights out of me. But I have confidence ...) 

And, yes, sadly, we're kind of blowing through NYC since we've already gotten to do that, but not Boston. It's just a reality of time and money.

On the 21st, Jordie has to fly back home so he can get back to school. 

BUT ... graciously, my sister flies into Boston about the same time Jordie flies out so that I don't have to finish the last leg of the trip alone. (What? Do people think I can't handle it? Pee Shawwww! I've been pushed out of my comfort zone so many times in the past couple of years, I'm pretty sure I can do anything as long as God (and AudioBooks) is (are) driving ... )

So when Kim gets to Boston, we chill in Boston then head for West Townsend, Massachusetts, so that I can retrieve my goods. We will take it all in there ... and then the fun really begins!

Maine, Maine, Maine. Antiques. Antiques. Antiques. I have it all mapped out.

And when I'm finished doing my thing in Maine, we do Kim's thing at Martha's Vineyard ... not that I'm opposed or anything ... before we head back to the great state of Texas. 

It will take us roughly two-and-a-half days from Massachusetts to Flower Mound, where Kim gets home and I take a nap for the night before heading back to Amarillo.

Two weeks. Two whole weeks to explore much of the eastern part of the United States I've never had the opportunity to see. 

Yes, it's a big deal for a poor kid from Amarillo. I do mean poor. Ask my parents. They'll vouch for me. 

I do believe God gives us the (pure) desires of our hearts ... no matter how many years down the road it takes.

So far, God is batting 1000 in my heart's desires. Maine (and all the rest of the New England states and southeastern states that I someday get to explore further) is one of many. 

(So let me just add another thoughtful addition to this already lengthy explanation of my life's planned-yet-unplanned journeys: Just in case without my knowledge it's my time to go and I don't get to see the rest ... that's OK, I still get to see all the rest!)

In the meantime,  I plan to come back with plenty of photos and stories about this trip. 

Thank you thank you thank you, God. You have every idea how much this means to me. :-)

Can't believe it's happening ... have you ever really stopped and thought about the course of your life ... CRAZY and unexpected, for sure.

... but I'm going to miss Dorsey and my zoo so much! 

Vacation Happens ... the good; part one

Such a relaxing time.

Sunset, last night in Curacao

Dinner one night. Outside.

Dorsey and I spent last week in Curacao, an island in the south Caribbean sea, very near to the Venezuelan coast. As the photos indicate, stunning isn't a large enough word to describe the island's water and beaches.

Playa Kalki beach, known for good snorkeling and beauty. 

We chose Curacao because it met criteria — in the travel guides — for our requirements. Good diving (for Dorsey), which the island lived up to; good food (yeah, mostly ... I had the best chocolate molten cake ever); good shopping (I have no idea ... I didn't even try it because I just wanted to stay on the beaches and relax); and BEAUTIFUL BEACHES.

As for the shopping, we did tour the downtown shopping area on Sunday when most everything was closed. Downtown Willemstad reminded me of a cross between New York City and New Orleans.  Just like that. I'm not sorry we didn't shop, though. Relaxation and beautiful views met my needs.

I was somewhat obsessed with the cat-sized
iguanas all over the Marriott resort. 

 The Marriott Resort was nice. I enjoyed the beach, the pool and the service, although I wonder a little bit what staying at the Renaissance might have been like. It could have changed the entire focus of my stay (not Dorsey's; diving was his thing). The Renaissance (also a Marriott) is located in/near downtown Willemstad, where there is more bustle and shopping.

View from a restaurant of the Renaissance Hotel's beach side.

We always stay at Marriott's when we travel because Dorsey gathers so many frequent stay points through his travels that we end up staying on points wherever we go. (Job perk!)

Like other islands we've visited, tourism is Curacao's life force. Otherwise, poverty abounds on the island. Driving is a nightmare for those of us who have learned to rely on Siri. The streets are not marked!!! So when Siri says to turn left or right on such-and-such street (in Dutch, by the way), we have no idea what that street is. No signs! Who does that?

Dutch is the predominant language, although most locals also speak English. We just couldn't read many signs or directions. Oh, well. We're still alive, right? And we managed to eat the food we intended. :-)

This one came to visit me and stayed awhile
one morning.

 The travel guide said the locals were friendly. I found that true with the staff at the hotel and restaurants, but not so much with just everyday people doing their thing. The driving rivals that of Amarillo drivers. RUDE! And I didn't notice much courtesy to pedestrians. Oh, well. Guess those islanders don't appreciate the money tourists bring to their beautiful but poverty-stricken home. 

OK, wait. I noticed that if we said "hello" first, we received a friendly "hello" in return.  Another thing we noticed is the lack of haste to eat and run. The meal experience usually took about two hours. Waitstaff didn't care to hurry us or anyone else out of our seats, no matter what type of restaurant. That was a strange experience! So unAmerican!!

This was our vantage point.

Perhaps the most unusual experience occurred on Morning Number One. We jumped out of bed and headed straight for the beach first thing.

DEAD BODY!

Yep, he wasn't even covered yet. So we and everyone else watched the hotel staff scramble to put barriers around his body with lounge chairs and a couple of towels. This lasted about two hours as staff guarded the body and waited for "CSI: Curacao" to show up. Finally, the poor guy's body was removed.

I found out later from the massage therapist — who was super nice and good, but still not as good as Amarillo man Larry Brooks at Relaxation Station — that the man was a local, and cause of death was uncertain. Drowning is the predominant theory, although the man was 78 years old. I'm assuming it wasn't foul play, based on the way things played out that morning. Sad.

Overall, the vacation provided much-needed downtime for Dorsey and me after the year of constant change and loss we've had. It was really the first time either of us relaxed, I think.

Dorsey and I like to compare the islands we've been to — he's visited more — and we still say St. Kitt's is our favorite so far. That trip with Kim and Vince over my birthday in 2008 was epic. As for Curacao, we will check this one off the list and relish the fun memories we've been blessed with.

(But soon we will be searching for the next Caribbean island to visit — although I've demanded that the next major vacation is Italy ... and there are beaches there, so Dorsey should be just fine.)

Stay tuned for part 2 ... the bad that attempted to ruin vacation and all the philosophizing that goes with it ...