WATER ALL AROUND US

After our tedious trip across country, it was so good to finally cross into North Carolina.  Each small town we passed through, reminded me of the many trips I made with my family down the Natchez Trace and through the small towns of Mississippi.  All along the way were fields of cotton with remnants of the harvest sticking to the dried plants.  Songs of the South played in my head.  I am glad to be back.

As we came into New Bern heading to the campground we would call home for a few days, we crossed over the clover-leaf of bridges that span the Neuse River and the Inter-coastal waterway.  The sun had finally broken through the clouds and its light sparkled on the water.  We rolled down the windows and drew in the smell of the water and enjoyed the feel of the wind blowing in our faces.  Even the dogs seemed to sense that we were at the beginning of a new adventure.

New Bern has a wonderful Farmers Market that is opened on Tuesdays and Saturdays.  It was fund to wander from stall to stall looking at the arts and crafts along with jams and jellies and baked goods and wonderful veggies.  It is amazing at the talent of some folks.  One vendor finds old historic buildings that are falling down and are being demolished.  He takes the fixtures, boards and other elements and turns them into the most charming bird houses.  Each one is unique and special.  I wanted to get one for our new home, but well, not knowing when we would have a new home, I resisted the urge.  There were many others, everything from handmade furniture to hand turned wooden bowls.  I gathered as many cards as I could so I could come back later and perhaps get something.

After the market, we wandered down to Union Park.  It is located on the waterfront.  It is a wonderful gathering place for folks.  We walked the girls around so they could enjoy some exercise after being cooped up in the truck.  At the point overlooking the water, there was a older couple sitting on a bench taking in the morning sun.  I caught myself imagining Jim and I sitting here in a few years watching the sun and the water.  Will we be as content?  There were ducks swimming in the water and Charlotte in particular was interested in getting close to them.  It was a nice way to spend an hour or so.

After a nice weekend. we dove into the business at hand, finding a house.  I can tell you, it is not an easy task.  We thought we would find and buy a resale home but, I guess it was just not meant to be.  Every house we looked at was missing something or perhaps I just kept comparing it to our home in Trilogy.  At one point, we did find the perfect home.  It had all the rooms we wanted, a nice wooded lot and best of all, it was on the Neuse River complete with a dock and boat lift.  The sunset from the front porch was stunning!  Alas, this beautiful house is located way out from New Bern in a very remote area.  One of the things we want in a new home is social activities and access to medical facilities too.  No matter what a good deal the price, we would get neither of our needs with this beauty.

We we went back to the community that appealed to us years ago, Carolina Colours.  We spent a couple of days seeing the “two” resales available and looking at lots.  

In the end, we selected a lot that is heavily wooded and backs Brices Creek.  At just under 3/4 acre, we are sure to have lots of privacy and the girls will have plenty of room to roam.  Now all we have to do is build a house.  What am I saying, build a house?  We have no idea how to do such a thing.  Oh well, that is why it is called an adventure, doing something new and different.  I have heard it said that building a house challenges a marriage; I guess we will find out.

ONE JOURNEY ENDS BUT ANOTHER BEGINS

As the days of our Alaskan trip wound to an end, I was surprised at how quickly the time had passed.  It is strange that we look forward to a trip for such a long time and somehow the duration seems so long, how can it end quickly?  But then, as the end arrives, the time is never long enough.  So it was for our trip to Alaska.  

The final days as we traveled through Nevada and back into Arizona, I saw the landscape in a different light.  Perhaps it was the idea that we might never see this land again, perhaps it was a closure of one chapter of our life and the beginning of another.  Whatever it was, it was saddened by the finality of the trip.

But life moves on.  After completing all the needed doctor, dentist and vet visits, we broke camp and headed for the Southeast.  Our route would take us north through Arizona, across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and end in North Carolina, whew!  It is odd, after living in Arizona for nearly eight years, we have become accustomed to seeing rain seldom.  As soon as we crossed out of Arizona, we found ourselves driving in rain.  That pattern continued all the way into Mississippi.  As luck would have it, we were caught up in a front that was slow moving and carried a great deal of rain. Mmmm, hope this is not a sign of things to come especially since there was flooding all around us.

As is our custom, we traveled three days and rested a day.  While we were looking forward to arriving in New Bern, we wanted to take our time and enjoy the trip as well.  After stops to see family in West Point, MS and Atlanta, GA, we finally arrived.  New Bern has grown a good bit since our last visit here but the old Southern charm remains.  Since the city is the second oldest in the state and the original capitol too, it is full of history and tradition.  As soon as we crossed the bridge over the Inter-Coastal, we both let out a sigh.  At last, we are Home.

Not don’t misunderstand, home has been many places for us over the years.  But Home, well Home is were your roots spread out and ground you.  Home is where family and memories formed us into the adults we have become.  Oh heck, Home is and always will be the South.  For us, Home is not Home without water of some sort.  Here in New Bern, there is lots of water both fresh and salt.  You can feel, smell and taste it in the air.  The wind across the water sings a song of times gone by and times to come.

So, here we are back in the land of cotton, grits and ya’ll.  It won’t be too long before we get settled and when we do, ya’ll come!