Monday, April 23, 2007

The Butter Lamb Goes to Chincoteague


The Butter Lamb takes a ride on the kayak to enjoy the sunset.

Spring Break was wonderful with our families in Chincoteague. Our rental house was right on the water and Damien, Kay, Joe, Patty, David, Tullis and I kayaked and biked every day. Assateague National Seashore was right around the corner, and the bird life was incredible. We ate like maniacs, played music, enjoyed each other's company, cooked, read, made some collaborative art, and relaxed. The only bummer was the chilly weather. Often I found myself kayaking in my winter coat and hat thinking, "this just doesn't seem right for April in Virginia, no?" (Today it's 87 degrees here in Richmond). But despite the unusual brisk weather, we managed to have a wonderful time. It was truly beautiful there. We had a Polish Easter celebration which included Perogis and Butter Lambs, and Patty's famous Easter Breakfast. We also got very close to the wild ponies of Chincoteague, who looked so noble with their manes blowing in the wind.


David glides over the smooth waters of the tidal channels by our place.



The Schlaffers line up according to height.


The Johnsons enjoy the end of beautiful day.


Damien and Tully work on our collaborative piece featuring many birds including the "Sparrow De Dios."




Wild wild ponies, couldn't drag me away...


It was a wonderful vacation. We miss you all so much!


Sunday, April 01, 2007

30 in the Blue Ridge Mts.



















I took D on a surprise birthday getaway weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The cabin was built in the 1700's and is a magical spot in the universe. We did a whole lot of hiking, relaxing, bird-watching, and eating. The Redbuds were blooming in their purple splendor and the mountains were huge! We also saw a bazillion deer, got up close and personal with a vulture eating a dead racoon, had a strange encounter with some cows with staring problems, found the greenest river, hiked next to a tall waterfall, explored the quaint town of Lexington, and pretended we lived 200 years ago in our dreamy cabin.