Aiken Visit

Well, we have been home for a month now, and every day I vow to sit down and write about the most wonderful visit we had with our dear friends in Aiken, SC, and every day goes by, and still “no Blog’! So, finally here it comes!!!!
WOW! What a great time we had with Gwen & Frank Lustig in their “warm and welcoming” home in beautiful Aiken. We met the Lustigs way back in our “previous” life as we began our career with DuPont in Camden, SC. Gwen and I were “mere children” when we became fast friends, and we have not aged or changed one bit!!!! We had such a fun time together, just catching up, sewing and socializing.
Aiken is a very lovely town centered around Equestrian activities and lifestyles. Polo matches, Steeplechase races, and other “horsey” activities abound. We toured the town in a trolley, and learned about the history of the area, and the folks who live there. Many of the streets in the town are unpaved so as not to harm the horse’s feet! We visited the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame, and enjoyed a delicious Southern breakfast at the “Track Kitchen”.
The model railroad you will note has the Reading Terminal in the layout. The gentleman used to work for the Railroad in Phila. And much of the layout is representative of that area. He also set up an LGB size train outside. Really cool!!!!
Our friend, Frank, has become a very, very “gifted” potter. He took his first lesson at the John Campbell Folk School in NC, and very quickly developed his own “style” which as you can see is MAGNIFICENT. He has shown in local Aiken galleries and those in the Rabon Gap, GA area as well. And like many other gifted people, Frank took up his craft at retirement.
We hope you enjoyed our little tour of Aiken. The only trouble is that we got to enjoy Gwen’s yummy meals, and you only saw pictures! Thank you, dear friends, for a very special visit to your lovely town, and home.
We will be on the road again from the middle of June to mid July as we Caravan to Madison, WI. for the International Airstream Rally. We will keep you “Blogged”!!!
Happy Trails,

Mary Ann, Les, and Miss Polly aka. “Devil Bird”

Art and Hobby Show and Surrounding Area Pictures

We want to share some special pictures with you as we prepare to depart Travelers Rest on Thursday, March 19. During our last full week here, we decided to “explore Dade City” and check out some of the great shops they have. Every weekend offers a “festival” of some kind. It is really cool!!! As you can see, I found the wonderful Quilt shop, and have paid many visits since I came down. “Kumquat Kuriousities”, Garden Café, a wonderful old time hardware store, just to name a few of the great shops in the town.

We enjoyed FABULOUS Strawberry Shortcake near Plant City, and as you see, I was crowned “Miss Strawberry Shortcake 2009”! On the drive down to Plant City, notice the Airstreams “planted” in the ground by the highway. Is there no end to the produce the Florida produces??????

There are some “strange sights” roving around the Park, such as Lester on a bike, and the “Aliens” cruising up and down the streets. The golf carts resemble those little critters on the “Wii” game with no legs or feet. They just bounce up and down! Lester actually bought himself a bike, and vows to ride it often. However, he is leaving it down here so he will have it for next winter. Well, so much for that!!!

We are sharing fantastic examples of the talent here in the Park. A Craft and Hobby Show was held yesterday, and we were so impressed at the quality and variety of the talent here. A model steam engine, remote control boats, wood carving, basketry, photography (note Lester’s exhibit), sewing, machine embroidery, quilting, oil and watercolors, and much more. You don’t see any of my work on the quilt table do you??? That is because my quilt is still in the “piece” stage! We were also treated to Root Beer Floats during the show! What more could one ask for?

We are looking so forward to seeing ALL of you again as we travel home, and arrive around April 1. We are sad to leave this warm weather, and the great folks we have met. But, most folks will be leaving the Park in the nest few weeks, and we will all look forward to meeting back here next winter. I had three main goals when I came down here. One-complete my king size quilt top-it is still in the cutting out stage. Two-complete Tucker’s scrapbook-it is still in the car. Three-to lose 15 pounds-you know what happened there! But, we have had a BALL, and that is the best part of this whole time.

We hope you enjoyed following our travels to Florida, and we look forward to all of your “welcome back” hugs!
Blessings, Mary Ann, Les, and Polly