Trippin'

All it takes is one cool evening and three falling leaves to set into motion a whole series of autumnal-related events at Chez Ragged. So, forgive me if I have been distracted by taking long walks with Cynical, making chili, planning my fall knits and digging our fall-themed decorations out of storage.

The big news is that we've finally gotten down to planning our vacation to the Charleston, South Carolina area next month. (Can you think of a more perfect place to be this time of year?) Yes, that's right, we are vacationing next month and just this week developed a plan of action. However, we are determined to take said vacation, despite our lack of preparation. It is, afterall, the first time Cynical and I have tripped for tripping sake. All of our other travels have been centered around family events, work conferences or such. This time around we're taking five days of glorious alone time and crafting it into an actual vacation. Extensive internet browsing landed us in a most posh place two blocks from the water at Folly Beach. It's such a nice place that I often find myself pausing during the day to find it on the web just to browse "our room" one more time.

We are planning a day at Folly, another in downtown Charleston and two others are set aside for touring and such. Then we'll head to Asheville for my middle brother's wedding and all of the festivities that surround it, including a family dinner, all-day picnic and extensive reception. And then, sadly, it's back home, back to reality. Don't feel too sorry for us because we're home less than a week before we board a plane for Seattle, Washington. This time it's for work, but who are we to complain?

In our spare time, we're completely obsessed with the new fall television season. Thus far ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" tops my list of new faves. How could it not? Anyone else found a new fave?

In other news, there has been a lot of knitting going on. I not only finished my back-to-school vest, but also a cotton market bag as well, designed to be used on our little trek. And tonight I hope to start on Juliet by Zephyr in a pretty light blue color. My hopes are to have it done in time to wear to dinner one night while we're away.

Socktoberfest begins on Monday and it's a great excuse for me to knit up some of my stash. For some reason I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by my mound of yarn. I have gotten much better about my yarn purchasing: choosing yarns for specific projects, but that doesn't mean those lonely skeins aren't still clogging up my closet. Hopefully some careful planning will eliminate some of my stash concerns.

I have been wasting away my time on Ravelry lately. Such a great resource for knitters, designers and yarn fiends. Wonderfully put together and so intuitive.

That's it in a nutshell, a large nutshell, but a nutshell none-the-less.

Morning glory

Another shot from my brother's garden.

Gather around

Another find left behind. I imagined my family and friends seated in them, reaching across a large harvest table for seconds.

Hanging around

Beads hanging at an artist warehouse in Asheville.

Flora and fauna

Another shot taken in my brother's Asheville garden.

Camping: Ragged style

The type of camper we can handle. Another find left behind. Took some talking to make me walk away. (Note the removable boat.)

Mixing it up

Another find left behind.

Corner

A corner of our hosts' home.

Escape

Sunset at Graveyard Fields along the Blueridge Parkway.

Too tired to type, but wishing we were still here

A waterfall and swimming hole along a stream in the Graveyard Fields area along the Blueridge Mountains Parkway.

Where are you going?

Cynical and I are leaving bright and early in the morning, heading south and then east to meet the newest member of our extended clan.

Excited about getting to see my brothers and their families in their "natural habitat". Anxious to spend some time with my sisters-in-law, talking shop and fiber. Happy to visit a few yarn shoppes. Pleased to try a few new restaurants. Glad to know I have 14 hours of knitting ahead of me.