We have traveled with these friends for years, taking turns planning the trips. I think the first one (the three women only) was in 1989 or 1990. After two of these excursions into western Pennsylvania the husbands wanted to be included, and our scope expanded; we have visited New Orleans (twice--before and after Katrina), New Harmony IN, the Outer Banks of NC, Niagara Falls and Toronto, San Antonio, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, and now St. Augustine. Over the years we are discovering the changes that come with growing older: We can't walk as far, climb as vigorously, or eat with impunity. All but two are retired, and one of those will retire next month. We even found ourselves discussing our respective health status "just like old people do." Rats.
We did see some artsy exhibits in St. Augustine. There is a lovely shrine to St. Photios in the Greek Orthodox tradition, memorializing the first colony of Greek immigrants to North America in 1768. The frescoed icons in this place were brilliantly colored and very moving. Also wandered into a co-op gallery and talked with the artist there about the challenges of keeping such an effort going--that was helpful, since we are sure to get into these issues in Huntsville. And we visited a bead shop on the way south, because what's a vacation if you don't buy art materials? I finished beading an Advent stole for a friend while on the trip and got a commission for a patchwork jacket. Now it is good to be home, to hold the cat, and to sleep in my own bed. Maybe I can turn some of the photos into art.