changing gears ...

Hard to imagine, but our little ladybugs have officially hung up their sails after an incredible season of growth and accomplishments on the water. Both optis have been pulled off the floats, washed down, sails wrapped, rudders and centerboards rinsed, and everything is back in the garage for the winter ... a very sad day for the manbug! Me, on the other hand, I'm ready ... when I see their little boats back in the garage, it indicates to me that I'm in the home stretch of summer - time to make a run for it and head out of town to spend the last of our free time with my family. This year, things will go a little differently since my brother's beautiful first-born baby, my goddaughter, is being baptized this Sunday in Florida. Tomorrow, the girls and I hop a flight down South to take part in the celebration - and I just can't wait to get a piece of that adorable baby! When we return late Monday night, I'll kick it into overdrive and get ready for our annual end-of-summer road trip to West Virginia (leaving Thursday for the 13-hour drive) - I love road trips because you always find surprises along the way ... like this one:

... and of course regional treasures like this one:

Then once we get to our little slice of heaven in West Virginia, this is what I have to look forward to in our home stretch ... it's a complete change of gears from what the summer is like here at home - a change of pace that we embrace 100% ...

... can't you feel the peace and quiet just looking at last year's photos? Not sure when I'll have time to post again since my turnaround at home is so brief next week ... and I'll be totally unplugged and offline while in West Virginia, so I'm guessing I'll have a lot to say once we return in 2 weeks! Bye for now ...