Despite the rocky start (three hours on the Beltway?), Kris and I had a fabulous weekend down South. We left Friday afternoon from Maryland, and ran into problems right away with the traffic. The only saving grace was my bag filled with knitting! (and of course, the guy by my side). We finally made it to Mimi’s house eight hours later – it was only supposed to take five hours! Our youngest sister, Sarah, and her boyfriend, Andrew, were already there. We decided to get a good rest and start early the next morning.
Mimi researched some hiking trails around her house, and we had the most beautiful day to enjoy the North Carolina scenery.
Cypress grove just off the river basin
The cypress grove was part of the Croatan National Forest. The landscape was eerie, yet quite beautiful. The swamp land and surrounding pine forest were so unique, and provided a wonderful escape with my family. The weather was still a little too cool for many of the plants, so the prevailing color in the area was the grayish white. I thought it quite appropriate for Project Spectrum photography!
(More pictures from Flanders Beach, and the National Forest)
After the morning hike, we headed to the historic district of Mimi’s new home: New Bern, North Carolina. The town is so quaint – and we had perfect weather for a nice walk around town. Mimi had already scouted out a yarn shop to visit (that deserves a whole post… tomorrow) and we checked out some of the local shops.
(My sisters and I are all in stride!)
The weather was so beautiful, and the sky was so blue!
Historic church – blue sky, white clouds, gray steeple!
Mimi and I were in a little shop while Kris, Andrew, and Sarah milled around outside. I happened to look up and see a family walking by the window – and then – oh my gosh! that is KnittingNurse Jannett! and her DS and DH! (that was my actual train of thought… except, much more ecstatic!)
I said “Mimi, I know her from the blogs!!” and I ran out of the shop (they probably thought I stole something how quickly I tore out of there!)
I heard Mimi say “Are you sure?”, not wanting to make a scene for a total stranger.
Of course I was sure it was her! I met Jannett at last year’s Meetup on the Mall after reading her blog for many months. She was down to DC with her family for the Cherry Blossom Festival at the time, and we have kept in touch since then. She is such a sweety! Since then, she and her family have moved to North Carolina.
I ran up behind her – hopefully I did not startle her too much! – and when she turned around, she had a priceless look on her face! It was all so funny, weird, and serendipitous! Jannett recounts all of the little things that led up to our meeting on that little side street – and she is right. It was fate!
I was so dumbfounded that I completely forgot my manners and did not introduce her to everyone – but she recognized Kris and my sisters from the blog. See her lovely necklace? She made it for Project Spectrum!
Amazing weekend, right? 
Wow, Lolly, that’s amazing that you ran into a blogger while you were traveling. Your sister’s in NC, that’s really nice. Not too far down the highway from you. New Bern looks beautiful.
It looks like you had a great time – and great weather!!! short sleeves!!!! that is too funny you met her randomly on the street!
what a wonderful trip…love the pics from hiking and another blogger…very cool!
Sounds like a fun weekend! I love the pic showing you and your sisters striding in unison.
Sounds like a fun time. I am already finding LYSs to visit in Savannah my next trip in a couple of weeks. It is really neat to see Jannett’s photo, as she was my swap partner in last year’s Knitter’s Tea Swap.
WOW! Cool spending time in such a lovely place and GREAT unexpectedly meeting up with blog friends. It sort of reminds me of seeing your teacher in the grocery store – sort of weird, but really cool too!
Looks like you all had a great time!
Awesome Lolly! Can’t wait for that next post on the yarn shop.
Next time you are in NC you will have to try and get to Richlands. It is not that far from New Bern and there is a great shop there called The Tail Spinner. If you make it there just tell Linda and Debby that Rhonda sent you. It is my favorite yarn shop around. I lived in NC for 8 years in Jacksonville and can’t wait to move back. Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Too funny! Glad you had such a great weekend – despite the traffic.
It looks like a beautiful spectrum of a trip and how cool to meet another blogger on a trip to the same area.
Sound like fun! Your interview is up: check it out!
Oh fun! And I am so glad that the weather was beautiful for you!
Wonderful, indeed! what a beautiful place!
I love that area of North Carolina. Pretty pictures.
Love the photos you took of your trip to NC…and getting to see your sisters. Isn’t it great when you just run into someone that you know when you aren’t expecting it.
I love it when that happens….
Wow! That sky makes me miss my home in NC. I still swear that the sky is never as blue anywhere else as it is in North Carolina.
Carolina Blue, of course! Go Heels!
Great photo of all of you walking! Love NC too!!
That first photo is especially enchanting, I just think it’s a magical scene. Really nice!
How delightful to run into a blogger who is visibly participating in the group that you created! I can only imagine how much I would be shrieking if I ran into a blogger and she was wearing a pair of my socks–likely similar in sentiment!
It looks like you had a lovely sister-bonding time! The photos are just gorgeous.
That does look like a fantastic time!
What an all around fun weekend you had! The impromptu knit blogger meetup was definitely a serendipity.
Isn’t it funny how waiting doesn’t seem so bad when you have knitting in your hands?
that sounds like so much fun!! i love how you recognized someone from their blog…who does that? why lolly does:)
running into fellow bloggers randomly like this is a great feeling!
It was a very special weekend and I can’t wait until your next visit!
Love You!
Beautiful photos! I love the one with the steeple. I’m jealous of your vacation… I need one!
Lolly, thanks for the photo links on my blog. I am STILL talking about our meeting. The muses really did a good job in setting up our meeting didn’t they?
OMG, the pictures you took are so beautiful. I love the one of Mimi by the water. It’s so reflective. . . . . . .
You look sassy as ever by the shore I must say. It was good to finally get to physically meet Kris, Sarah and Mimi. Bonus meeting Sarah’s boy (tee hee).
Thanks for being you and for being in my life. The world would be so colorless without you in it. . . .
What a great weekend! I so miss the south now. NC is really quite beautiful.
gorgeous photos. NC is really beautiful. It’s awesome that you recognized someone from their blog.
That’s not far from me! As Rhonda was so kind to point out.
It really would be awesome to meet you face to face! Of course, I plan (hope) to go to MDS&W this year.
I just love that picture of you and your sisters… I have major sister envy (not that I don’t love my brother to death).
It is so funny when you recognize people from blogs- I tend to go up to people too and sometimes feel silly but it usually ends up well. Just like yours did!
Love the pictures… what a fabulous vacation! And so neat that you were able to run into her… I love how small the world is sometimes!
Isn’t it the best feeling to run into someone you know when you least expect it! I had this experience in one of the oddest places. I was backpacking through Europe and I was on this cheesy Sound of Music tour in Austria. I step off the tour bus and nearly run into a guy I had a crush on in college. He was on the same tour – but on a different bus! What are the chances! We went out for dinner that night – ha!
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Love the mid stride one! And too neat about running into a blogger!
What are the chances?! And I love the look on your face in that last picture…you look so excited
Looks like a perfect weekend. So fun. You make me want to go visit North Carolina. Glad you had a fun trip.