Driving back to reality

I have the ability to completely remove myself from the stresses of my everyday life. All I have to do is take a vacation or go on a road trip. Distance, it seems, is a temporary cure for me.

That's just one of the reasons that this weekend was so welcomed. The main reason is the fact that we had a chance to visit some of our favorite people. You see, we trekked north for what has become an annual event: the celebration of the 4th of July and Pilot and Rudy's birthday.

We snuck away from work early, stopped along the way for lunch and a little shopping, all in celebration of the fact that Cynical is now down to one job. (And the angels sang, "Hallelujah!")

And thus began a wonderful weekend. We started out with dinner and visiting at the northern homestead, got a chance to view the big project complete and fully operational, stayed up too late (when I say "we", I don't mean me, as it seems I went to bed and missed all of the late night fun) and awoke the next morning ready to meet a full day thanks to a wonderful breakfast prepared by Needlefingers). The crew headed out for lunch at a restaurant perched along a beautiful lake.

Soon thereafter, Rudy and Brando hosted a big gathering and cookout at their place, a birthday party and patio/pond christening all wrapped into one. (By the way, Rudy and Brando have two of the most entertaining, interesting and articulate children I have ever met. I seriously considered kidnapping.)

Added surprises included quality time with other fellow bloggers and knitters, Hope and Jenny from the Blog. Sadly, neither had brought along a sock to knit. (By the way, much thanks to Needlefingers who very patiently walked me through my first short-row heel. It's all part of my first toe-up sock, which I wrapped up tonight. . . but sadly I probably won't start another until I see her next. . . darned that Figure 8 cast-on. It has just been so long since she last showed it to me. My memory fails me.)

A great fireworks display wrapped up our evening. After a full day, we lugged our lawn chairs to the car and called it a night.

We reassembled for breakfast this morning, enjoyed the incredible weather a bit and then, sadly, it was time to head home. Cynical and I, wanting to take advantage of this incredibly cool weather, stopped along the way home, picked a restaurant with an outdoor eating area and enjoyed a meal as the only two on the whole patio. Isn't that romantic.

So many thanks to all of our hosts for their hospitality, for feeding us, housing us and making sure we didn't get into any serious trouble. I truly do want to move north, but I fear eventually you'd see us for what we truly are: useless mooches.

And now we have returned. I am sad to have said goodbye to everyone, sad to have left behind a relaxing weekend and wishing I could close my eyes, wiggle my nose and be back there again.

We have a break in our week, as Wednesday is a holiday. . . now if I can just convince my Cynical to venture from home once more.

Above is a shot of a lilly pad bloom in Rudy and Brando's pond. The pond, by the way, is amazing. I could lose hours just watching their fish swim about, the fountain trickle and and the flowers float. It's truly beautiful and soothing. Quite an oasis. Also included is just a shot of the fireworks display. I am certain the other photographers will post some that will put mine to shame.