The Baylies stepped out of the town and journeyed to Carrboro, NC. The Cheese Shop hosted this very posh event in this quaint town. Peter and I indulged as we learned of new cheeses and wines. The hosts delighted us with information regarding the featured menu, and their passion for their craft was displayed beautifully.
Peter and I celebrated five Valentine’s dates; one has a boyfriend and girlfriend. Although we try not to take for granted any time we dine together, setting aside special moments to reflect helps us stay connected. I am reminded that anything is possible when you exercise your faith. I am loved and love all the blessings I have.
I received a notification that The Dave Matthews Band released their tour dates for the Summer of 2024. I scanned the city listings to see if Raleigh, NC, made the list, and it did!!!! My excitement level expanded.
Last year, the band skipped the Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, and I felt somewhat deflated. My darling husband, Peter, offered an idea that brought the light back to me. He suggested we could travel to another city on the tour and have fun. I hoped we could check off a bucket list venue and get tickets to the Gorge Amphitheater over Labor Day weekend. He smiled and said, “I thought you might say that. ” Then he purchased tickets to at least one of the days. Astounded, I set my travel planner in motion, and we prepared to travel to the state of Washington.
The trip was phenomenal. However, the realities of my grief still plagued me as I lost a friend, Edrick McLaughlin, the week before the trip. With interesting symmetry, the musician Jimmy Buffett passed that weekend of the concert, and Dave Matthews worked through his grief on stage, which helped me grieve and release.
We only attended one day of the three-day concert, but it was what my soul required. So, fast-forward to planning this year. I am torn between returning to The Gorge and participating in all three days or making the Raleigh concert a real treat. Stay tuned for developments. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures from our Labor “Dave” 2023 experience. (Stay a while!)
Fellow Dave fans
Sushi Lunch Break Selfies
The Gorge before sunset
The concertgoers settle in
We were gifted bracelets
Postcard-worthy road trip
2023 Dave Matthews Band Gorge.
Peter, Don’t mess with my Pumpkin Spice.
Okay, I feel tiny.
I was conquering my bridge anxiety—marvelous music to guide me.
The Dragonbeard Prince – played by Peter Baylies and his Crimson Phoenix – portrayed by Carmen Baylies, traveled through the piedmonts of the Carolinas. Lord Blackbeard alerted his alliances to take care of crossing the seas with a bounty issued for pirates that aided Blackbeard from capture. The Nexus Storm provided excellent protection as we visited a few of our pirate strongholds in the Carolinas.
The Baylies reveled in fun for Halloween! Or at least say I needed visual stimulation for a story. We tipped our caps to the strongholds that keep our sacred items safe. To the Hunter-Baylies Haven, The Blue Cay, and The Baylies Cove’s masters and mistresses, cheers and drinks on us next time we meet. May the pirate’s prayer cover you always.
‘Happy, Happy Turkey Day!’ – a song lyric featured in one of my favorite films, Addams Family Values, floated through my mind as I worked out Thanksgiving plans. When considering the amount of upheaval last year imposed with social distancing protocols, my husband and I looked forward to a leisurely holiday celebration. He and I spent time preparing our holiday meal and decor. Holidays always test your flexible nature. So even though I did not watch my football games live, I shared a meal with my husband and his mother, Susan, and fellowshipped. We recorded the fun for me to watch later.
The holiday weekend began with ‘Chef Peter’ donning his apron and pitching into the dinner preparations. My mom supervised me from afar as she readied to spend time with family back home in Oxford, NC. I checked in with my sister as she celebrated her birthday and the holiday in her new home. My father called Peter, and I tackled a 17lb turkey and fixings.
Floral accents for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving 2021 table casual setting
2021 Thanksgiving dinner served!
With the uncertainty that consumed our world, our priorities constantly hold to essential truths. With faith remaining my center and guiding light, our needs focused my actions and thoughts. My family, friends, correspondences, work, and doubters encouraged me to continue forward toward completion. My soul was and is grateful.
Counting our many blessings, I remembered lean times and great times. I found it essential to see and recall things and attributes that make you thankful. I appreciated my family, friends, work, and health this year. My heart gladen that I have not yet seen the fullness of God’s mercy and blessings. With all the struggles and obstacles, the blessing business remains operational.
CLB’s purpose is to inspire legacy initiatives. The founder’s dream to encourage literacy and hope plays a key role in activating the business’ mission. Through fiction writing and thoughtful commentary, the owner draws hope and inspiration from pivotal experiences in her life. Marking her wedding anniversary not only aligns with the purpose of the business but shows the essence of what legacy initiatives mean.
Year 3: The Baylies head to Charlotte, North Carolina
We walked down memory lane with a stop along the way to revisit a grade school field trip venue. The Discovery Place Science met all our expectations and more. The museum curated a special exhibit for artificial intelligence and gave a wonderful introduction to the emerging field for children of all ages to grasp. The beautiful August Saturday allowed me to show off my new jean jacket and cute sandals.
Welcome to The Discovery Place Science!The world still fascinates me.
Carmen’s Saturday afternoon anniversary attire
We rounded out the afternoon by picking up some lunch at the quaint restaurant near our hotel. Even though they were short on staff, the Wild Wing Cafe had a delightful ambiance, stellar food, and great music. We returned to our hotel room to check in with our monthly Starfleet meeting virtually. Settling down for the evening, we watched the Hall of Fame ceremony inducting the 2020 enshrinees for professional football.
A selfie at the bar
The Wild Wing Café
Cheers!
Relaxing and surrounded by extraordinary excellence
The feature event of Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit Charlotte thrilled us tremendously. The warehouse that hosted the event once manufactured model T-Fords cars and provided a real car for attendees to sit in and take pictures. We, of course, slid right into place a smiled! The experience was delightful. The combination of music and the art seamlessly projected on the walls, floors, and ceilings truly embraced the term immersion. Beautifully, well done!
Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit CharlotteThe hostess checked us in with souvenir bags and posters.Larger than life, indeed!Where are you bound?Something to brighten the day!So, What are you looking at?Vincent and Peter
