Summer Vacation, Part II

You don't have to be at this hotel for long before figuring out a few things they take special pride in  -  -

art, their local bird habitat (there's a Heron Rookery on the resort grounds, closed for nesting, while we were there), dogs, and good food.  What's not to love about this place!?!

 

Deborah Chapin was one of the artists participating in an exhibit to raise money for the Blackwater Wildlife Refuge, 25,000 acres on Maryland's Eastern Shore  designated as a "Wetlands of International Importance" by the Ramsar Convention. As a major stop on the Atlantic Flyway, Blackwater is a vital haven for waterfowl, as well as a sanctuary for the American bald eagle, the endangered Delmarva fox squirrel, and the peregrine falcon. 

 

 

And a few random shots around Cambridge - 

And getting together with old friends -

 

What We Did On Our Summer Vacation

Anyone who knows me, knows of my deep love for the small town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland that holds my heart.  It's where I was born and raised.

Cambridge, Maryland

Here are a few random shots with more to come over the next few days -  along with a story to go with them.  

Drop back every few days for new pictures and once my heart gets back where it should be rather than up in my throat where it makes me too choked up to even write about it, let alone talk about it, I'll have lots to share.

Donald, Harley and R.T.  -  I've known R.T. since the cradle; his wife Pam is with us too, but for some reason - no one seemed to have thought about getting a photo of the two of us - hmmmmm - but tomorrow, maybe . . .  I haven't known Pam quite as long; only since 8th grade. 

Y'all would love Danny Doughty and his gallery - see more here - http://www.dannydoughty.com/

And I promise you would also love The Cambridge Hyatt.  What a lot of the staff there doesn't know is what that exact same spot was when I was growing up.  It was The Eastern Shore of Maryland State Hospital for the Insane opening in 1915.  Instead of the gorgeous hotel with beautiful landscaping and wonderful sculptures all over the grounds, there were several huge red brick gothic style buildings. 

After federal funding for these types of facilities was stopped in the early 1970's, several of the hospital buildings were closed, but a few remained open to AIDS patients.  Eventually the hospital was closed permanently and the buildings sat empty for awhile.  Hyatt bought the 351 acre property, knocked down the buildings and brought it back to life as a resort hotel - bringing with it a huge boost to the Cambridge economy.

See more here - http://chesapeakebay.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

THE best Mac & Cheese on God's green earth.  For real.

Michener fell under the spell of the Eastern Shore also

Those of you who have heard me talk about "my bridge?" (aka The Choptank River Bridge) This is it, AND it's the view out our hotel room sliding glass door.  Talk about a few tears.

WHAT a shot!

We thought this was the perfect ending to a perfect day . . .

until we looked out the window

Life is Good