St Michaels Vacation Oct 2012
St Michael Maryland Oct 2012
I’m definitely delinquent in sharing our St Michael’s
vacation. Can I blame it on the
baby, you know, time flying and such?
My Dad planned this trip, but it was completely unlike any
other trip he has planned. Because
other than the rental car and the house, no other plans were made! It was a total relaxation vacation,
something I know my husband greatly appreciated. We constantly tease my Dad about his clockwork planning, but
he does allow us to get a bunch of wonderful experiences in with each vacation. This time? Dad proved he could handle some good old R&R too.
What was truly wonderful (in my eyes) was the Fall
Colors. We just don’t get that in
New Orleans – we have evergreens, an overload of green foliage throughout the
winter. To see fall colors in the
fall was picture perfect…
St. Michael’s is a quaint, charming town. The rental house was large enough with
a room for each couple (my parents, us, my brother and his wife) and an extra
room. My Mom suggested that I invite
my cousin, Holly, to join us. My
cousin lives in Maryland, about an hour or so away. I was thrilled that Mom made this suggestion and Holly
quickly agreed. What an extra
treat! Mom has often called Holly her
“3rd child” as my cousin would spend the entire summers with us and
sometimes even visit during the school year. Even though Holly and I live miles apart, we keep in
constant communication with one another and the days and miles melt away when
we visit. (Picture below, Left to Right - Holly, Me)
The house was great – located off of the water. We had a pier in the backyard. When we first drove up to the
house, we noticed the “for sale” sign.
Interesting that the owners will rent out the house while in the process
of selling; it makes sense in this day and age of homes for sale. Greg found the property listed – going
for over a million dollars!
Front of the house:
The first night, my parents treated us to a meal at one of
the local restaurants. Rob and
Roda ate a bunch of crabs at a cost of 32 each plate.
The next morning, Greg was determined to show my family how
to crab. My darling husband cannot
eat seafood, because of his allergies, but interestingly enough, he can touch
the live ones. Instead of using
boxes, Greg showed my brother and my Dad how to use a line with bait on it and
drag the crabs up, then catch them.
Before long, my brother and his wife were running up and down the pier
catching crabs left and right.
Imagine that – bigger crabs than the night before and free! The video below is the first catch of
the morning. My brother was messing with the crab to make him move. I think they are pretty with the blue claws :)
While they crabbed, we (me, Mom and Holly) shopped. After Greg showed the ropes on
crabbing, he took us to the main strip to shop. For us gals, it felt like the old days, when the three of us
would go into the shops and have fun.
Holly remarked about those being great summer memories. There was a lot of laughter and
it just warmed my heart. (below picture is Mom and Holly battling it out for the last sweet potato fry :)
Though my husband took us shopping, he didn’t stay in the
stores with us. He walked up and
down, in and out of shops until he called me on his cell and asked me to meet
him across the street. My Mom and
Holly followed. Holly later told
Greg, “Most of the time, husbands are trying to drag their wives out of the
jewelry stores. You get extra
brownie points for asking Aleta to go into one!”
Greg asked me what I liked at the store…. There were so many
items, but the first thing I always ask for … “Opals.” The good quality ones aren’t so easy to
find… but this antique shop not only had a beautiful opal… it had a heart
shaped opal with diamonds going around it.
I loved it. But
no way did I think we’d come home with it…. Wow…. Greg said, “Happy
Birthday.” Oh my gosh…
When we came home, the saleslady sent us a card, which I
thought was sweet.
The night before we left Maryland, we went to Holly’s home
to visit with her kids, have supper and take pictures at a park close to her
home. Deanna and Burkley cooked a
yummy meal and cute cupcakes (blue icing for our baby boy and 4 leaf clover for
the Irish in our blood). (Left to Right: Greg, Michael, Holly, Deanna, Burkley)
Pictures below were taken at the park near Holly's home:
I like the below picture, because I'm taking of a picture of Holly taking a picture and her son, Michael, holding his camera too. Think it runs in the blood?
Holly berries are typically bright red, but the below ones we found at the park were bright purple. Couldn't resist a picture.
All in all, it was relaxing and lovely. I’m so glad to have been surrounded by
family and those who were eager and excited to know more about our
pregnancy. Thank you, Mom and
Dad.
I'm ending this post with my favorite picture. Holly took this picture of us. She's a fantastic photographer and I highly recommend her to anyone in the area. I loved the picture so much that we put this on some of our Christmas cards. I received so many compliments about the picture, I wrote to Holly and thanked her again. She wrote back saying the magic was in the love between us and people see that.... but she caught that moment, that look, that perfect timing.... :) It's my favorite picture :)
To see more pictures from the vacation, click here to go tomy Picasa site.
Comments
Once baby Gregory is here, you won't have time for these vacations for a while. I am glad you have taken the opportunity to go when it presented itself.