Trip to Florida: June 27-July 2
Grandma has a wonderful tropical garden. Bananas.
She had four pineapples coming up while I was there. She has a wonderful Key lime tree, too.
I've been going to John's Pass since I was a baby. I think it's one of the only touristy spots we hit.
My favorite place for seafood, The Friendly Fisherman at John's Pass.
One day we went into Ybor City in Tampa for lunch and to buy some cigars. Ybor is the old Cuban district in Florida where many Cubans opened up their own cigar factories. I don't think these folks wanted to be in the picture.
We ate at the La Tropicana. When I go back, I'd like to eat at the Columbia, it's been in business since 1915ish, I think.
Ah, Pass-a-Grille. I love the beach.
This "thing" washed up on shore and I couldn't figure out what it was until a wave flipped it over. It looks kinda like a cow's head.
But it wasn't. I also found a horseshoe crab and these little girls were wondering if it was alive or not. I picked it up and showed it to them, but it was already gone. I should have taken it home and cleaned it up and mounted it, but oh well.
The Don Cesar. I've wanted to go there since I was a little girl. And yes, I took this while I was driving.
A trip to my grandmother's can't be complete without a Cuban sandwich from Rio's.
Fourth of July Car Show in Culpeper: July 4, duh.
This is my car, kinda. Mine's brown with black fenders. And has a "P" Card. Don't ask. 1932 Ford Model-A Sport Coupe.
Who in their right mind? What is this thing?
Here's Aaron. My dad's behind him scoping out a Dodge Charger? I'm not sure, I just know that the orange one behind them is a Super Bird.
Trip to Pittsfield, Massachusetts: July 22-24
This past weekend Aaron and I drove up to Pittsfield to see my family and to pick up the bike that I bought from my Uncle Tom.
I met two of my cousins for the first time. It was Heather's sixth birthday party. And my cousin Andrew (9, right) didn't seem to be having very much fun. But he can sure climb the heck out of the trees in his backyard!
I spent some time catching up with my aunts and uncles and cousins and looking at old photos of the last time we all saw eachother-- close to eleven years ago! Andrew gave me a green Harry Potter wristband.
And here's my new Raleigh 2005 SuperCourse. It's beautiful and fits perfectly. Aaron and I are going riding later this week once the cold front hits. I don't have clipless pedals yet because I know I'll kill myself using them. Give me some time.
We had some down time, so Aaron and I went up to the top of Mount Greylock, Massachusett's highest point. It overlooks Pittsfield.
We're really happy to be there. Really. It was relaxing to sit on top of a mountain and take in the view.
When I was three years old (and living in Pittsfield), I got it in my head that I wanted to climb a mountain. Dad took me up Greylock and it made the rest of my life, it's one of the best things I ever did with my Dad. I have the pictures of me somewhere. I may post them later. It was good to be there almost twenty years later and share that with someone important.
So that's been the past month. I'm having a get-together at the new apartment this weekend, so I may post some pics from that.
And one more thing:
Oh, Baby.
