Fairly Heaven

Have I mentioned that we went to the fair last week?

I think I already hit most of the high points here:  http://thethingsofheaven.blogspot.com/2010/10/fair-enough.html

But I would be remiss not to mention the truly lovely accommodations we enjoyed during our little getaway.   In keeping with the fair theme of  "outdoorsy and agricultural," our temporary digs were quite an escape from our permanent metropolitan residence. 

To begin with, while nearing our accommodation destination on Sunday night, we were all struck by the darkness. It was inky. 

Where we live, the blackest (brownest? orangest?) nights our neighborhood are still so bright that you can only see the moon and four jets.

So we were excited to get away from the bright lights.   But everyone was a little nervous after we exited the interstate (at night) and began traveling down a highway with no street lights at all. The fact that there were more than seven stars in the sky to enjoy was lost on us as we all huddled in our seats and waited for Freddy Krueger to run our car off the road.

But I have to admit, it was kind of exciting.   (And I also have to admit that I have no idea if running our car off the road would be Freddy Krueger's modus operandi.....the scariest film I've been able to handle in the last 25 years may be Finding Nemo.)

Somehow our headlights cut through darkness enough to help us find our turn off the highway, and then follow directions that were essentially:  “Go to the middle of nowhere and take a right.”

After we made that turn, we actually backtracked once, thinking, "This can't be right.  This road is not paved.  And it is very bumpy.  Surely this is wrong.  And it can't be good for our vehicle."

We are so city-fied.

It doesn't look nearly as sketchy in the daytime, but trust me.  Take this road in the dark, and you'll know that things are lurking in the shadows. 

Once we headed down the lane we were enveloped by the ethereal spookiness of marshes, live oaks, and more darkness.  It was very Nancy Drew (or Eugenia Price.....bonus points if you know who that is).   And we began to relish the natural setting and lack of artificial light (and/or lack of safety provided by that light......but as you can see, we came out with nary a scratch, so artificial light may be overrated after all). 

And once we were settled in our little guest house (and the lights were on), we had time to enjoy a second change:  the quiet.   It was a good, thick, quiet. 

No drunk girls were yelling at their boyfriends.   No nocturnal students were playing cricket outside our bedroom window.  No giant trucks were executing a 4am trash pick-up.  
. 
To be truthful, we kind of thrive on the energy of everything that happens on our city street, but getting away to the country was like letting our auditory nerves check into the Betty Ford Clinic for a couple of nights.  And it was free. 

We also enjoyed some angling therapy:

My big girls, Chocolate and Caramel, reeled in a small one through the morning mist. 

Little Vanilla was still figuring out which rod suited her best :-). 

Some agricultural therapy:



And some great reminders of the Lord and His goodness:

(This doorstop was beside the door which we were asked to keep closed so that rattlesnakes would not sneak into our bed, shower, etc.  We kept that puppy closed tight for 48 hours.)

The fridge was covered with pictures of missionaries and other groups connected to the wonderful family with whom we stayed:

We loved the vintage velvety sofa.  

Got some good snuggle time with Caramel, Chocolate, and Vanilla -- my three favorite flavors!

And you know how, if you stay in a hotel, you might get the USA Today or the NY Times delivered to your room? This is kind of the same thing:



Kudos to the delivery person.  He/she is probably not scared of driving down dirt roads in the dark. 



Our wonderful hosts have quite a vision for inviting ministries to use their guest house and property. We witnessed hospitality in action.  I know that this came at no small sacrifice to them as they must have worked and saved for years to make this vision a reality.  I love how they are using their retirement years to be a blessing to others.  

Mr. and Mrs. S. are warm, welcoming folks. 

And what visit to the country would be complete without this finale?: 

It's the Bacchanalia of Middle Georgia.