a day with Father Flook

 

I have a ton more photos and words from yesterday, but MsBook Air and Ms. Stein are both slow this morning. Yesterday started with a lavish breakfast at Sister Jane's beautiful home right by the Potomac. (We do not share the cooking gene.) Then she kindly drove us to the Flook Farm which I will show you tomorrow when I am home and the internet will be stronger. Then to the lovely cemetery where the relatives on Jane's side reside. Dinner last night at Bistro 112 in Shepherdstown and so nice that Sister Carole (on the maternal side) joined us. A treat also to have nephew Tanner and the two boys ~ we sat outside, good food and fine service. We fly away today and my head and heart are bursting with all that I have learned. I promise lots of pictures tomorrow after a good night in my own bed. None of this would have been possible without the Blogmaid who started this whole thing ("let's find your biological parents!") and what a trip it has been. Kristin organized this whole thing, did most of the driving and made sure I was a ok as she handled everything with aplomb. Right word? She is now OFFICIALLY a member of the Flook and Beall blended family. I could NOT have had a better time. Truly. Deep gratitude to all.

now picture Pennsylvania (mostly)

 

The day started beautifully at the Airport Grille in Hagerstown where we met Sister Jane's friends Candy, Laura and Karen 2 (or maybe 1?) Wonderful women! Then the Blogmaid and I went to Gettysburg to try to find where her second great grand uncle, Willian Philander Cromer, from South Carolina, died in battle in 1863 at Seminary Ridge. We had a full day first at the National Park (fabulous!) then toured the Lutheran Seminary which became a hospital for the many wounded during the bloody battle. Also walked around the charming town of Gettysburg and ALMOST had dinner at the Gettysburger, but drove back to Hagerstown for the Blogmad's beloved Cracker Barrel (5th photo), which was actually rather good. (Shhhh, don't tell anyone I said that.) It was a long, full day and we both learned so much. For instance the cool wooden fences seen all over here are called worm fences and were used in battle. Feel free to Google them as I have run out of words and space here. Today is Wednesday, home tomorrow. Or as one fun young woman said when we told here that we were from San Francisco, "ah, the Promised Land."

this amazing life

 Well yesterday started at 11am when sister Carole (on my biological mother's side) met us at the Quality Inn for the first time ever. We liked her at once, meaning she passed the strict and often fatal Blogmaid and Blogger test ~ lucky Carole! Then sister Jane (whom we have loved for three plus years) joined us and we all learned about Mother Catherine, or tried to. This woman told no one about me, what a burden she carried. Women back then ~ well, we know from reading about their lives dominated by men and society, but hey, not today, Ms. Stein, let's DO the blog. So we four had a fine lunch at Rumsey Tavern (cool place) and then the photo sessions, thanks Blogmaid. Carole and Jane tried to figure out how my parents met, leaving us with so many unanswered questions. After lunch the Blogmaid drove (bless her!) to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery where Carole's parents are buried and we paid our respects to Mother and gave her a little  plant to thank her for all she endured. I learned so much yesterday, almost too much to comprehend. Carole was open and forthright and painted a picture of our mother that I won't soon forget. She was a good mother who smoked and read fiction a lot and did not care about how she looked. What a day. OK, the 4th picture should be on the bottom but after blogging for decades I still can't figure out how to move it. This was our dinner from the Food Lion across the street as we watched SNL on the Blogmaid's computer. So much we learn so late, etc. We were both exhausted and I bet Carole was too. What a day! (Oh, p.s., lovely sunshine and blue skies all day. Yay.)

The Maryland Campaign

 Such a full Sunday. First breakfast at the Red Byrd where I met my two brothers (Bill and Dan) on my father's side for the first time. So much to talk about. Then, Antietam. We are in the heart of Civil War country and the bloodiest one day battle took place here in 1862. The Blogmaid has researched this so she filled me in as Jane kindly drove us to see where all this horror took place. And these great photos are mostly due to the Blogmaid's talent and expertise. The National Park Service does a fine job of honoring the fallen with monuments and cemeteries  ~ majestic views of the stunning countryside mixed with vivid reporting of the activity on the battlefields. Then dinner with nephew Tanner, Jane and her friends Karen and Melinda at the Press Room in Shepherdstown. (And let us not downplay the Potomac River which is so important to this entire region.) Quite a day. Gratitude to all!

Quality sleep, decent in-room coffee

 Some photos from yesterday. VERY pretty country with lots of green, lovely old homes and then the unexpected delight of the small towns. The bottom photo is where we had dinner ~ I mean, wouldn't you? The Blue Moon Cafe. You can also see the Blogmaid in front of The Little House in Shepherdstown. I did not plan on GREAT sleep here at the Quality Inn, but that is what I received last night. Yay! This morning we meet relatives on my biological father's side ~ tomorrow on the mother's. How exciting is this? And, once again I am missing the SF heat wave, as I did when in Ashland. This is all so delightful.

SFO to Shepherdstown, W. VA

 The Blogmaid picked me up at 3:30am this morning and now we are in Shepherdstown at the Quality Inn. A long day but a smooth uncrowded fight, then a rental car and a drive here. This is such beautiful country and the town is so charming. Photos and more news tomorrow but I did want to report in. Thanks to the Blogmaid for all the planning and heavy lifting. Early to bed now. Zzzzzzzzz.

let's get packing

This isn't really my suitcase, but you get the idea. Travel used to be so easy. I do like the packing cubes and on this trip the Blogmaid has extra space so everything will work out just fine. She will pick me up at 4:30am tomorrow morning. We will sleep on the plane and in Maryland and when we get home in a week.Am I ready for an adventure? Well, almost.