In case you didn’t know it…and were wondering why there hasn’t been any recent postings on my blog…well I’ve been on a road trip since July 5th. Jack took off for Darrow Camp ( canoing in the wilderness of Maine & Quebec for 4 weeks)…and so I took off on my own little adventure, heading south to visit with many of my closest friends, whom I haven’t seen for way too long and was desperately missing. I’m back home now (for the moment) but maybe taking off again for some more visiting northward. It’s been a whole year since I had any sort of vacation. I’ve worked very hard this year on both teaching residencies and for my photo clients. I’ve had some rather rocky relationship stuff come my way…and so I decided I needed to fill up my well with lots of friendship nurturing. My cup runneth over with love from all these powerful women (ok…some awesome men too) who have been a part of my life since way back in 6th grade.
I loaded my up my Subaru and headed south to first stop off in Bethesda, MD for a chiropractic adjustment from the incredibly healing hands of Nate Mayfield. We caught up on my life’s craziness and he straightened me and my body out so I would be all hunched over while driving. I brought along my camera…my Hasselblad that is…and shot a few photos of Nate before heading to see Cheryl on The Porch.
Perhaps you’re wondering where this photo is of Nate…not on the blog for now. I SHOT FILM…YES. FILM! I dug out all of my old film from my freezer in the garage, sorted through it, and took it all with me on the road. There is no more film in my freezer! As I culled through my the remnants of my film supply, I found rolls dating as far back as 1997 and as recent as 2005. So I gave myself the assignment of shooting my entire trip in medium format film and being open to whatever results might arrive on the processed film. I won’t see anything until July 30th…since I am not process or printing the film myself. I did however bring my smal digital point and shoot camera, just to be able to snap off some candids when I felt inclined.
So my trip took me to Cheryl’s porch in the woods of Maryland…we chowed down on crab cakes, watched the little fox roaming out in the yard, and saw fireflies rising up as the sun was setting. From Cheryl’s I moved on down the road to Virginia for a visit at the McFarren’s farm….where raspberries were ripe for picking, the youngn’s were excited to use the cameras I shared, and ate the last hamburger I think I’m having for a long time. Not to dis Dave’s grilling skills….just cutting way back on meat and moving closer to being a vegetarian. Right now, I’m considering myself a fishaterian. Dave, Chrissy & I got all caught up…but I certainly could have hung out for days more. I had a schedule to keep, so my Subaru and I found ourselves back on the road to Charlottesville.
My dear friend Susanna (and her husband John) live in downtown Charlottesville…with a very easy walk to just about everything a girl from out of town might want to see. Susanna created a wonderful personal yoga practice for me, took me on a walking tour of the downtown, worked my butt off on an early morning hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and sent John and I off to a delicious dinner at Himalayan Fusion. I saw a wonderful photography exhibit of Joel Peter Witkin at The Second Street Gallery and had an opportunity to wander through the McGuffrey Art Center. I also had a chance to visit some of the wonderful hidden gardens of University of Virginia. Chatted with one of the gardeners there and took his portrait before I left.
Moving South from Charlottesville, I headed out early for the long ride to Tennessee. I could pass through this region without taking at least part of the drive on The Blue Rdge Parkway. It’s breathtakingly beautiful, especially as the early morning fog is rising from the valleys. I took the ride slightly white knuckled and having to remind myself not to be gazing off as if I was in the passenger seat. So as not to go flying off the mountain, I made many short stops along the road to munch on some hard boiled eggs (the best travel breakfast ever invented)…and take in the glorious view in front, behind and all around me.
I knew I’d made it to Tennessee as soon as I stopped at the visitor’s center just over the state line. Not because of the obvious “Welcome To Tennessee” signs….but I looked across the highway from my parking spot and saw what might just be the largest guitar I’ve ever seen. Anyway…many hours and miles later I arrived on Leslie’s’ porch…actually we ran screaming into each other’s arms on her front lawn…and shed a few tears with her daughter Ali included in our long awaited embrace. It’s been way way too long since I’ve seen Leslie and even though we talk almost everyday, there’s nothing like being face to face to really know that time doesn’t separate a friendship. I need to be heading out for a movie right now, so I’m going to take up more on the story of my friendship road trip when I return. See Y’all later (can ya hear my southern twang?).
Enjoy some of the photos from the first 1250 miles of my road trip.
i think the Partirdge Family were driving alongside me on 95 south.
making pie at Full Circle Farm
sweet little corner of Dave & Chrissy’s home
my portrait of Chrissy without Chrissy
magical gardens of UVA
along the Blue Ridge Parkway
The Big Guitar….welcome to Tennessee
