(wo)men are not alone on the diamond sea

My first time traveling solo using AirBnB was a weekend of nearly-silent reflection. I needed that quiet winter weekend when it happened.

This was my second AirBnB experience and it was different, but just as refreshing. I headed three hours south instead of three hours north, and arrived in Milton, DE, knowing very little about the place. I planned nothing and learned as I went along.

One thing I learned is: it's tourist season, so things are busy and people are everywhere--even in this smaller, quaint city. It's summertime now, and the world just feels more alive. I feel more alive.

The charming Colonial house I stayed in was alive. Friends, neighbors, and other boarders wandered in and out, with food they made that I needed to try. It was totally cool for me to lounge around reading in the sun for hours, but I took breaks for these brownie bites or blue corn chips or chocolate truffles or grilled veggies or or or... And I just can't complain about that.

Do you know who is awesome? Everyone who lives on PrettyMan Street.

The first thing I did in town was take a walk around the historic, Colonial-era district.

The front of the house I stayed in:

Second order of business: stopping into the espresso bar (and custom framing shop).

When I saw the shutters on the decrepit house, I gasped. Don't know why, really. It just struck me.

There's something whimsical about the water rushing through (behind) this seat...

Stumbled into a farmer's market when I was back downtown. I was only around for two nights but I could NOT resist juicy peaches, ripe strawberries, still-hot-from-the-oven bread, and blueberry jam. Oh, and I got a dozen farm-fresh eggs... for myself? The shells were speckled, OK? And one shell was blue. I had to take them with me.

Woke up very early the next morning to hit Rehoboth Beach. Well, the first stop was a beachy cafe...

A green smoothie and a sticky scone... on a GREEN plate.

The Boardwalk in Rehoboth was impressive, with tons of shopping. But I don't shop (except for produce, apparently.) I just wanted to lay in the sun.

This sun:

Now that I am across NJ state lines I will confess: I think I did some trespassing onto private property for these next few pics, of an old cemetery. It may have been one family's plot? It's just someone's back yard now.

Everything I try to type about these trucks parked next to decaying headstones comes out like Morrissey lyrics:

Yeah, this is definitely featured in a Smiths song somewhere:

To lighten up, I took myself to Dogfish Head Brewery. YAY CRAFT BEER.

I didn't take pictures during my last 16 hours away. I did some deep readings of fiction and poetry, did some writing myself, went to bed and woke up early. I baked a peach cobbler and learned how to make naan from scratch, then put it on the grill. I sipped amaretto on the rocks.

I enjoyed every part of this solo retreat, and I'm grateful to everyone I met along the way. Another crazy three-job workweek is coming for me, but for once, I feel ready.

The Year of the Horse

I rang in The Year of the Horse on the road, seeking a quieter adventure.

I'd never used AirBNB before, but I had a great experience and cannot recommend it enough. So many opportunities to explore...

I drove three hours north and west to Livingston Manor, NY, nestled peacefully in the Catskills.

The first thing I wanted to do when I arrived was get a winter hike in.

Even the garage was gorgeous to me.

The house I stayed in.

Oh, funny story. There had been coyote sightings around the 20-acre property. But I was assured that if I just rang these bells it would scare any coyote off. No sightings for me, though. Phew!

Caught this view as I was waking up Saturday. I didn't even remember taking the picture till it uploaded...

My room for the weekend, the "Light Room."

Breakfast was included in my stay. I lingered over coffee. 

I got lost for a long time in the view from the dining room where breakfast was served:

It was a warm and sunny weekend. The only sounds were drips from icicles melting:

Look at those meandering footprints. They must belong to a wanderer. (They belonged to me!):

:

Saturday afternoon I went to town to walk around. Not a whole lot was open this time of year, and I didn't need food, or souvenirs, or... anything. I didn't want to buy anything because I didn't need or want anything.

I didn't need anything. That's a powerful thought.

I treated myself to a haircut because I never do that kind of thing enough--you know, the kind of thing that stops you from looking like you live in the woods.

My hairdresser was bubbly and kind, but when I described my weekend to her, she was perplexed.

I don't understand. You don't know anybody here? You've never been here before? And you came alone... for the quiet? You're not bored?

No, not bored. Refreshed.

I was lucky enough to stop by Catskills Art Society Art Center for two free photography exhibits. The work of Julie Forrest and Flora Hogman was delightful--whimsical and playful, like a lighter Roger Ballen.

Books. Writing. Photos. All night and all day. I feel so much more happy with myself and my life than I have in a long time.