Mothering Sunday (UK) & A Road Trip

Unlike the US, the UK celebrates Mother’s Day in March. And, as Mother Nature seems to be at the forefront of conversation these days, its appropriate that she is battering the UK with northeasternly gales and a bit of the white stuff rather than the loving warmth the crocuses and daffodils crave on this ‘her’ day. Aberdeen and parts of northern Scotland awoke to a chilly white blanket this morning; Edinburgh is just holding on for dear life as the gales bear down.

In what will only be a futile attempt to embrace a sunny, springtime outlook, I thought I’d curl up with the computer (under a duvet wearing two pairs of socks) and finish the last of the Florida road trip posts from November. Its warm in Florida, maybe those pics will warm me up???






Apparently us gnomes get around, especially if you believe Amelie. We found this minstrel with three of his friends and a turkey in Pebble Hill, Georgia.








While visiting high school buddy K, she said, “I’ve found this great beach. Its only 5 hours away.” Of course, for the ‘vehicularly-deprived’ the prospects of a hitting the pavement were rapidly endorsed. This shouldn’t be to hard – drive east to Jacksonville (and the water) then south to Melbourne Beach along highway A1A and the coast. What the Florida highway map neglects to indicate is that you can’t actually drive the entire 180 miles on highway A1A; you’ve got to drive inland then occasionally pop east to get a glimpse of the water. But who cares – life is an adventure!

Along the way, we saw the oldest lighthouse in the US (St. Augustine, Florida).

Finally reaching the ‘Space Coast,’ named for its association with Cape Canaveral and the 1960s & 1970s playground for the astronauts in training, I thought I was in heaven. Not only could we see the launch pad (and vehicular assembly monolith) but, miles of quiet, undisturbed beach like this gem at Indian Harbor (below). The beachfront property only comes to life for those few weeks a year when a launch is eminent. This is my kind of beach – although at 70oF wasn’t quite the balmy I was hoping for but I still managed to get a wee tan.


Since we were so close to Orlando, I couldn’t resist suggesting that K and I pay Mickey a visit on our way home. K said she had been to Disneyland once as a child so this ‘Disney-baby’ insisted we make a day of it! Apparently Nessie (from Loch Ness/Drumnadrochit) was also on vacation as tourist season had properly ended back home.


Packed to the gills with pre-Turkey day families, there were long lines everywhere. YUCK! But as we stood behind the castle watching the fireworks lighting up almost asleep munchkin’s faces, I can honestly say, “It’s the happiest place on Earth.”


As the park closed, we embarked on a driving marathon – 5.5 hours to Tallahassee, 3 hours sleep, then 5 hours to Atlanta to get me on a plane to Western Washington. Thank you K for your hospitality and digital photos. I had a brilliant time!

Americanna

Luckily, K is as adventurous as I am. So, when I suggested a quick walk around the Museum of Florida History as a means of staying dry during a sudden deluge she said, “You know, I’ve never been in there.” An hour’s diversion quickly expanded to the remainder of the afternoon when we stumbled upon the 25th Annual Capital City Quilt Show.

I recently learned that over twenty million Americans quilt. So, for my Mum...

These Celtic Flamingos won "Best in Show."

K's favorite. The fabric for this quilt was hand-dyed by the quilters husband.

A bit traditional, but I liked it.

Entitled "Fire and Ice," this past winner definitely makes you pause and appreciate the craftsmanship.

These octopi are actually all one piece of fabric (cut like we used to cut paper snowflakes in grade school). Impressive.

We’ll have a Dalmatian Plantation!

Despite Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction of an early spring, it seems most of the US has battened down the hatches as nature unleashes one last winter blast. Across the pond, Edinburgh isn’t fairing much better – there’s a crispness in the air reminiscent of fall and ominous storm clouds rolling in. While I tuck into a steaming mug of cocoa, I thought it was about time to recount some more of my Florida adventure with high school buddy K. (A special thank you to K for letting me use her digital images as mine are on film and I don't have a scanner.)

While researching Tallahassee, I discovered that the 35 miles between Thomasville, Georgia and Tallahassee, Florida are home to the highest concentration of plantations in the US – over 100. After reading this, and having watched many many many episodes of “America’s Castles” on A&E with my dad, I was determined to see at least a few of these grand old ladies from a forgotten era. Thankfully, K humored my excessive interest in architecture and agreed to see a couple of the historic homes too! First up, the Knott House.


Located in downtown Tallahassee, and home to one of the key figures in Florida history (William Knott), the “house that rhymes” has been lovingly restored to its 1928 glory. Although simply constructed, there are some clever examples of cunning interior design. For the entrance hall and grand staircase, Mrs. Knott acquired Parisian wallpaper designed to look like trees. Not enough arrived, so, she carefully cut the paper apart and pasted it to the wall to create a forest. Eccentric, maybe, but then again, Mrs. Knott also wrote poetry about the furniture and hung it on the item in question.

Next up, the gem known as Pebble Hill. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, I thought we’d hit the jackpot. Formerly a cotton plantation, the grounds and house have hosted elaborate hunting parties and reared horses since 1827. Given that brief, the mind wanders towards Gone With The Wind and the wrap around porches of a proper southern manor. Unfortunately, most of the house burnt down in 1934. Only the furnishings were saved. When reconstructed in 1936, a Greek revival style was chosen and is the house we see today.




Again, always a hound for art and architecture, it was wonderful to see over 33 original Audubon prints from Birds of America. I say wonderful because the original silver plates used to engrave Audubon’s famous book were sold by his wife to pay off their debts following his death and subsequently melted down. Shocking I know, but to see a set of original prints provides a welcome highlight to a horrific story.


Similarly, the Big Room was recently restored and showcases a massive wildlife mural by Clinton Shepherd.

One of my favorite sights from ‘the South’ is Spanish Moss. Native Americans named this bromeliad after the Spanish conquistadors who had pointed beards. Despite its name, it is not a moss but a relative of the pineapple and is deceptively soft. Softly rustling, it makes for a meandering afternoon stroll.


So, not exactly the plantations I was expecting, practically brand new by European standards, but an interesting slice of Americanna nonetheless.

Next up, a road trip.

Groundhog's Day

"Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today." - First DJ, Groundhog Day (Columbia Pictures, 1993)

I'm guessing more than just Edinburgh felt that way this morning. At dawn, it was clear and crisp, certainly not 'spring predicting' weather. Yet on this day, February 2nd, American rural folklore proclaims, "If the groundhog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter." I was surprised to learn the legend of Groundhog Day is based on an old Scottish couplet: "If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there'll be two winters in the year." Funny how interconnect we all are.

Despite the arctic weather, Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow. (He was probably thinking, as I was, that it was a duvet day.) The thaw is on its way!
-Loopy (sister-in-law's kitty), 01/2007

In honor of our illustrious spring predictor, I thought I'd post a few pics from Tumwater, Washington, USA. While visiting my family, we were treated to some of the worst weather on record. According to my mum, this lunchtime, not much has changed... record cold temperatures with freezing fog and icy roadways. But, its so pretty.
-Back garden, freezing fog, 01/2007

-Back garden, freezing fog, 01/2007

For more information on Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney, PA:
1)http://news.uk.msn.com/groundhog_day.aspx(news summary);
2)http://www.groundhog.org(Punxsutawney Phil's official site);
3)http://www.punxsutawney.com(Punxsutawney, PA official site).

On a personal note, the photos you see are the first from my new toy. As most will know, I've been a bit of a stalwart about the roll of digital photography in an artist’s portfolio. After months of research, increasing film processing fees, and dwindling 35mm stocks, I took the plunge and bought a dSLR - the Nikon D80 with an 18-135mm lens. It is taking some get used to, and I certainly don't know how to use all the bells and whistles yet, but it may be my new best friend. My Minolta, rather than being relegated to the closet, has been reserved for black and white as I pursue my other passion - dark room manipulations. I hope you enjoy this new era with me. And, as ever, if you borrow an image, please attribute it. =)

And with that, I hope Spring arrives quickly wherever you are. I'm tucking into a nice glass of wine and the Bill Murray homage to second chances, "Groundhog Day."

A Greyhound

... bus, not dog, sorry!

Now that life is finding a ‘normal rhythm’ (which really means I’ve got both reliable Internet access and a little bit of free time), I thought I’d post a few stories and pics from the New World… In November, I hit the road thinking it was a great opportunity to see old friends and my baby nephew. First stop: Tallahassee, Florida and my high school buddy K.

I arrived in Atlanta after a rather unpleasant flight - packed and lots of screaming munchkins. (Does anyone remember the last time a flight wasn’t packed to the gills???) After killing 8 hours in a muggy Greyhound bus station, we hit the road at midnight for the final leg of the journey. For those of you unfamiliar with public transit in the US, it is much different than in the UK. Ok, they're both unreliable, but the similarities end there. In my experience, everyone takes buses and trains in the UK and as a result there are at least a few minimum standards. In the land of the car, things are a wee bit different. Public transit is unreliable, questionably safe (both hygienically and roadworthily), and generally catering to a different ‘clientele.’

Being adventurous, and on a budget, this was obviously the most realistic transportation option. Turns out, I must have been the only white girl to ride the bus in years. When we arrived in Tallahassee, at 0530, I tripped down the stairs, hugged my friend, then attempted to claim my rucksack… only to be asked for my luggage ticket. Yes, you read correctly, asked for my luggage ticket. (Does anyone remember ever producing a claim ticket at the airport? I certainly don’t.) A bit of shuffling later, the ticket was found, rucksack in the boot, and on our way wondering, “Since when do white girls get up at 0530 in the blooming morning to steal luggage from the Greyhound station? Where’s the cow? I think we need to practice our tipping!”

On a more personal note, if you find yourself conflicted about the ‘War on Terror,’ wander down to a Greyhound station. I watched 3 buses full of kids (yes, I said kids) pack up and head to basic training. These are the kids next door, both boys and girls, giggling, smiling, their entire lives ahead of them… How many of them are going to come back maimed? Or bitter? Or both? It’s easy to say the cause is noble… Until you see these kids…

Adventures in Technology

Howdy Partners!

I've finally arrived in wintery Edinburgh - cold, burrrrr! BBC is forcasting clear and cold, -4oC, for dawn with a daytime high of 3oC on Tuesday! I arrived to a chilly, but secure. flat. After 14 hours, the central heating is still churning away on its quest to reach 19oC.

I must apoligize for the lack of correspondences over the past few months - I was both mobile (sans computer) and climatologically challenged. Western Washington experienced one of the worst winter weather seasons in memory breaking both rain and temperature records.

One day you might wake to...


The next...


Never fear... I've got lots of tales and even a few pictures to share! So please grab a dram and stay tuned.