Journey of Joy - Kick-starting April in Folly Beach, SC

Goodbye Franklin, NC for 2013
In our sightseeing in Western North Carolina and travels in Florida, Lynn managed to show me almost everything on her wish list. What's not on this list are the multiple ways she helped me shed my over-worked, over-scheduled self. With Lynn's prompting, I replaced my dull black and gray wardrobe, took off my watch, started eating healthier, slept later, wrote more, took tons of photos and videos, and generally learned to say "Yes" to life's adventures and possibilities. For this and her patient, honest, sometimes silly, and always insightful companionship, I will always be grateful. Click here for Lynn's blog - she's an amazing writer!

Chalkboard paint tracked our fun

Lynn and the Passion Flowers
at Butterfly World- perfect match!

Hello Folly Beach, SC

Welcome to Folly, a quirky, bohemian surf town just 15 minutes from Charleston. Hosted by my friend and former GMCR colleague, Lisa Elliott,  over 5 days I/we walked the beaches, visited Charleston, and ate amazing food at The Oyster Room (twice), the Lost Dog Cafe, Blu, and Rita's Seaside Grill. Drew and Jamie joined us for the long Easter weekend on their way to Savannah, and we all fell in love with Folly. Lisa works over the bridge in Charleston, managing the Le Creuset brand of high quality cast iron French cookware. The kitchen in her new condo made us drool with envy at the pans, casseroles, dishes, mugs, you name it. The beach wasn't so bad either! 

A few blocks from the Washout, a favorite Folly surfing spot 

Jamie and Drew get their toes wet on day one

The Easter Bunny left treats at the Island Girl Cottage
where the girls stayed

Cobblestone and historic buildings abound
in Charleston

Charleston is an absolute foodie paradise!

Sunset from the dock at Lisa's new riverfront condo -
I see a boat in someone's future!

Mother and child reunion

Journey of Joy - Spirits in Abundance at Cassadaga Camp

Inspiring bench outside a residence at the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

Our Florida trip was a spiritual journey as well as a logging of miles, so what better place to go than the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp near Lake Helen FL? We booked two nights March 23-24, and it was quite something. A tiny village of 44 woodframe houses, on land leased for life. Just a few short blocks, wrapped around the outdated Cassadaga Hotel (definitely haunted) and the Cassadaga Bookstore & Information Center. Nighttime orb walks, spiritualist lectures and readings, chakra balancing, mediums, psychics, and crystals capturing and releasing energy on every corner. My intuitive powers were tuned up throughout the weekend, and now I often find myself on the receiving end of messages from "the other side." As if to prove the point, you may spy a random letter "o" in this post. No matter how many times I tried to delete it, it just wants to be present. Probably a message from one of the friendly spirits from my past.

Old hotel at the crossroads of the village - comfortable rooms, good rates, only downside
was the unimaginative menu at the hotel restaurant - the only eatery in town.

Lobby furnished with overstuffed sofas, where I waited for my most excellent
chakra balancing session with Katarina "Kat" Moonchild

 

Psychics are on call 24/7

 

Orb walk 101: Spirit orbs show up on digital cameras, but not to the naked eye.
Note the moon is visible in the upper left of this "before" photo I took.

And in the next shot, there were orbs! I count five in this photo alone.

Lynn took these pix of me between two sacred trees. No orbs near me in the first shot...

... then bright orbs in this middle image,  

...then an orange orb in the last one. You can choose to be skeptical if you like.
I for one am glad the spirits were willing to come out and play on that Sunday night.

o