Manteo, sweet Manteo.
Although we could have stayed in Edenton a few extra days, we came back to Manteo Friday so that we would have some time to settle in before launching back into real life. (I celebrated getting home by being diagnosed with bronchitis. Oh happy day.)
The Sunday after we returned, we visited another church in the area which we enjoyed very much. It was especially lovely to get to sit in church together as a family.
We grabbed a few photos on the way out the door.
We had just the bought the letter “S” in Edenton and so Steve was wanting us to show it off with a little panache.
Love this husband . . .
and this daughter of mine.
One thing we both enjoyed about staying there was its famous and fabulous small town vibe. They had a delightful coffee shop where we went several times for its public wifi.
In addition to the coffee shop, we also visited a large, local hardware store which, as you can probably guess, made Steve exceedingly happy. He got to chatting with the woman who was assisting us and found out she was the granddaughter of the store’s founder. Her grandpa had opened the store in 1914, passed it down to his son who then passed it down to his daughter and her family.
I could just picture that woman taking her first wobbly steps on the creaking wooden floor and growing up in the shadow of ladders and lawn ornaments. In a world where people so frequently move houses and jobs, it is always a treat to meet someone whose family put down roots and stayed put.
Although we did most of our own cooking at the house, we did enjoy several little sandwich shops downtown. During one particular meal, we noticed some people nearby celebrating a birthday. As we were finishing our sandwiches, a woman came over and said, “Hi! We just got done with a little party and have some cake left over. May I bring you both a piece?”
Cake from strangers. What did I say about that small town vibe? (And I especially loved that she brought it over on matching plates and napkins.)
During the course of our chat, she mentioned that she was the narrator on the local trolley tour. Steve and I already talked about wanting to do that so we made sure we got on the same tour she was leading.
We drove by a couple of homes where signers of the Declaration of Independence had lived, we saw the oldest home in North Carolina, we saw grand and glorious mansions worth a couple of million dollars, and we humble hovels with fascinating histories. Our narrator/cake provider had fascinating facts and dates to go with each stop on the tour.
One of my favorite things about our accommodations in Edenton was the fact that all of the windows at the back of the house overlooked the water. (Our bedroom was to the right of the staircase.)
There are few things more healing or restful than water.
In addition to the beauty of all the water, we had a quiet 2.5 mile road to walk on. If you look closely, you will see Steve out there perambulating. (So much more interesting than merely walking.)
I loved this sign we saw that welcomed everyone to the neighborhood. I’ve seen signs that say “Children at play” but never “Adults AND children at play.” It made me smile every time I saw it, especially since part of the reason Steve and I were there was to put aside responsibilities for a little while, embrace rest and yes . . . even doing a little playing.
Steve and I are incredibly thankful for our wonderful season of sabbatical. We are especially grateful for the generosity of our church board, our congregation, the people that provided the house, and all the church folks who willingly took over our responsibilities so that we could be away.
I’ll close this out with a couple of photo albums for you to browse through.
I have taken pictures here before but love dropping by whenever I am in the area to find new scenes and perspectives.
(The challenge I set for myself was to try to get photos of the lighthouse from as many perspectives as possible.)
What about you? Do you have a favorite place you go to find rest and renewal?
It doesn’t necessairly even have to be in another town. Many times, there are places near us that can serve as mini-vacations when we don’t have time to do something more involved.
I love the pictures of the Episcopal church! We go to an Episcopal church that happens to be on the historical registry but have no cemetery.
Back when I lived in Denver, I would get off work on Friday afternoon and when the weather was nice, I would head up into the foothills and find a little stream to sit by. I’d sit and read and let the rush hour traffic going North die down, then head home. 🙂 Nowadays, our back yard/patio area is my favorite place. It is peaceful and private and I thoroughly enjoy sitting back there, listening to the birds and looking at our gorgeous yard, trees and flowers.
We’ll be heading to Breckenridge next week and that is my next favorite place to relax! You just can’t beat summertime in the Rockies!!
Lee Anne,
It sounds like your life has been blessed by beauty of many different sorts. Foothills, a little stream, private back yard, birds, gorgeous yard, trees, flowers . . . and Breckendridge. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Beautiful pictures! So peaceful and calm. I’d like to stay there for a week…or maybe just move there!
I’m glad to hear that your sabbatical was successful…and that you got some playing in!
And cake from strangers?? Yes, please! It looks delish!
Krista,
Peaceful is the perfect word for that place. And cake added to peace? Perfection!
Beautiful pictures Becky! That sign was really cute and the “S” is lovely. I think you said it best, “There are few things more healing or restful than water.” The ocean is my favorite but a lake and river are might close behind. I really enjoyed hearing about your sabbatical and I think that trolley tour would be SO interesting. Wishing you an easy transition back to “real life”.
Sue Ellen,
I’m right there with you. I love the ocean but water of ANY sort is so relaxing and refreshing to be near.
Yes, I think you would have really enjoyed the trolley. It’s so much fun to learn new things.
Beautiful pictures. One thing I have noticed about old churches is how close the pews seem to be compared to newer churches. My niece had a choir concert at an older Lutheran church. I’m not tall by any means – barely 5 foot – and I felt like my knees were knocking on the pew in front of me.
Glad you had a relaxing time.
I don’t really have a place that I can think of although just immersing myself in a good book can be quite restful!
Phyllis,
I was thinking the same thing. Those pews look a little claustrophobic. Also, there is only room for 4 people in each “enclosure.” I wonder what would happen if your group or family was bigger than that? Some interesting customs, to be sure!
And yes, a mini vacation with a book is right at the top of my list. 🙂
HA HA! Did you notice the sign says ‘CHILDERN’ instead of ‘children?’ Wonder if it’s an inside joke or an actual mistake?
Melissa,
Okay, you get the reward for being an Eagle Eye! No one in our family noticed it and we usually catch stuff like that. You should get an award!
And who knows if it was intentional. I guess we’ll never know!
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing! Loved the sunset and I loved the tree out in the middle of the wheat field! thanks again and welcome back to reality.
Nicole,
I loved that tree, as well. I remember looking at it and being so thankful someone had the foresight (and the heart) NOT to cut it down.
It looks like you had the perfect place to rest and relax, wonderful photos!! I hope you are feeling better now.
My place to refuel is Provincetown, MA. It’s medicine for my soul. It is me. It is coming home to the very essence of who I am. From the day my parents flew me in at 2 weeks old, where I slept in my grandmother’s bureau drawer to today, it is how I imagine the feeling of Heaven to be.
Lesley,
And I thought Nathan was the only baby who ever slept in a drawer! 🙂
“It’s medicine for my soul. It is me. It is coming home to the very essence of who I am. What an absolutely beautiful description.
So glad you have a place like that to love.
Becky, every time I read one of your blogs, I realize that they are all “the best one yet!” And I love it when you include your wonderful photos. My fave this time was the electric candle light (DSC 3332). So glad you had a wonderful family time together! Best regards and hugs to Sarah and Pastor Steve. Fred & Lucy PS – My favorite place to visit for rest and renewal is a day trip to Manteo. (As you know, it’s my favorite place on the planet!) We don’t go anywhere in particular – just enjoy walking around town and the nature trail at the visitors’ center in the fall (when the snakes are asleep!) It has been much too long since we visited Manteo. ~ Fred & Lucy
Fred,
You are such an encourager; thank you!
I’m just grateful I have a place to share my photos and wonderful people like you to look at them.
Now you know that next time you and Lucy come to Manteo you need to let us know, right?
Awesome pictures. So glad you and Steve had a chance to get a way and rest/relax. Sometimes I like to drive to the river about 2 miles east of us and just sit and watch the water. Weldon is known as “ the rockfish capital.” Even have large fish at the entrance of town and at the river. I will have to take a picture and message you as I don’t know how to put them on your blog. Getting ready to enjoy a week at Atlantic Beach soon and so looking forward to it.
Ann,
The river just two miles from you is a great example of what I was writing about. Sometimes when things pile up and you just don’t have the time or wherewithal to do a real vacation, it’s amazing what even 30 minutes of looking at a river can do.
But it’s nice you can look forward to a week at Atlantic Beach, too!
As for putting pictures in comments, I wish there was a way for readers to do that but I don’t think there is. I would love to see pictures!