The joys of red-eye travel are scant, save the groggy aftermath upon landing. In the strangest haze, we met our friends in New York, resisting the urge to spontaneously combust from excitement.
Along the bike path in Putnam Valley, we enjoyed autumn, as my gaping mouth swallowed its color.
We stayed with Noah, Carol, Stephen, and Gavon for a few days. There were walks and talks, movies, diners, Halloween, karate, and Cranium; all the things we love about the New York Mitchells, rolled into one whirlwind visit. And if you live in Putnam Valley and are looking for a martial arts studio: Mountain Stream Budo
Next, we hopped a flight to Atlanta to visit family and to continue chasing the season. Our first day there, we walked about 342 miles. Along our jaunt, we spent some time in Piedmont Park, tree-watching.
Crane-watching.
We also visited the Atlanta Aquarium - home to some playful beluga whales, massive whale sharks, leafy sea dragons, giant Japanese crabs, and garden eels. The garden eels...adorable as a Disney film. The sea dragons...
...they get my vote for Intelligent Design.
While resting our toes in Atlanta, we rented the film "Genesis" which was wha-ha-ONDERful. A documentary/nature/origin myth/storytelling/visual feast, it reminded me of Cosmicomics, one of my favorite books. I understand that "Microcosmos" is even better. (Must! Rent!)
There's so much excitement in a trip, well-planned. But there is something else entirely in a trip, not-planned. Although it's good to be home, little particles of me are still floating somewhere between here and total gratitude for an unexpected holiday.
So cute.
Y'know, Kentucky's pretty autumny too! You should have visited me!
On my walk to school this morning, Ariel and I played in a pile of leaves. It's very pretty outside. Perfect weather. I'm an autumn junkie as well.
xoChelly
Posted by: Chelly | on November 6, 2006 04:22 PM