falling forward

We were hoping to do some foliage spotting last weekend, but once again, the gray clouds rolled in.

We’re certain the riot of colours in the mountains of North Carolina would have been an amazing sight, and we are truly sorry to have missed it this year.  But there is also beauty all around us.  We visited a couple of parks in the area, and took photos around our apartment complex as well.

Our last few conversations have turned a lot on our preparations to move back to Australia.  Three years fly in an instant, while still feeling like an eternity when you’re in the thick of it.  You watch the leaves turn and fall and wonder whether this is how the tree has gained its wisdom.  It stands and lets its leaves go, knowing winter must come before life returns in spring.   Every year it stands taller, its roots grow deeper and its branches spread wider. We will definitely miss the deciduous trees of North Carolina.

On stay-cation, October 2009]

 

wilmington weekend

[September seems ages ago now, but there was a long weekend there somewhere and Craig and I decided we would explore the North Carolina coast some more.  Wilmington is Hollywood on this far side of California.  We usually stop at historical sites, and there was a couple that way with  Moore's Creek National Battlefield Park, and a World War II Battleship.  We also wandered around the gardens of the Orton Plantation House, which is usually known as the house that catapulted North Carolina's venture into the film industry. Downtown Wilmington was also a treat.

When you head down the beach though, you would expect to get into the water, wouldn't you? Well, the sun got all shy on us and it was bucketing on the day we decided to go for a splash.  But the gloomy weather didn't dampen Craig's spirit one bit.   We grabbed some hot drinks,  watched the rain drops and enjoyed a heart-to-heart chat.

Wilmington, NC, September 2009]