Tag: adventure

Traveling with Sadie

July 11, 2026

Sadie and I embarked on a long anticipated getaway this week. We visited a place that’s been on my personal travel wish list. I also wanted to see how well Sadie handled traveling for a few days to an unfamiliar location. We spent three days at the Laura Walker State Park in Waycross, Georgia. I rented one of the pet-friendly cottages, complete with a lake view. An unexpected, but very welcome bonus, was the really nice, shaded dog park adjacent to the visitor center.

My plan was to hike the park trails, explore the surrounding area (3 quilt shops within a 1 hour drive) and have a mini-quilt retreat. I know South Georgia is hot and muggy in the summertime. That said, the extreme, brutal heat of the past few days was not expected, nor was the smoke from burning debris leftover from logging activities in the vicinity. This meant outdoor activities were limited to short walks and frequent visits to the dog park instead of hiking park trails. We explored pet friendly businesses in the area, but mostly stayed inside our cool, air-conditioned cottage.

Overall, Big Girl handled the trip well. She made herself right at home in the cottage once she saw her water bowl, food bowl, bed and a non-skid throw rug laid out. She was not a fan of the laminate and tile floors in the cottage, however. We have carpet and hardwood floors at home, with scatter rugs strategically placed on the hardwood for traction. I had to buy a second non-skid rug to place in front of her bed, so she could easily find her footing when she got up. The beach towel wasn’t cutting it.

I’d definitely like to visit again in the early spring or late fall – when the weather is cooler – to take advantage of the trails and to be able to drink my tea from the screened porch each morning as I look out over the lake (without sweating at 6:30 a.m. and without the smoky smell).

Sadie, now a BARK ranger!

Deciding which quilt retreat to attend

May 6, 2026

Ok, you’ve compiled your list of quilting events. How do you decide which one to attend?

After the surgeon’s report that my husband did not need surgery at this time, the option to travel is a reality once again. I went through the list of potential quilting events I’d compiled over the past few months. Many were already sold out, including one location where my husband had wanted to tag along. Events with only dormitory style sleeping arrangements still available were removed from consideration.

Four events remained – each one requiring air travel. I kept circling back to one and finally registered after estimating travel costs (a bit of a splurge, but within reason). The draw is that it’s in a city I’ve never been to previously and the event offers classes with instructors who are on my instructor/class wish list. An opportunity to take a class with two of them in 2024 (much closer to home) was cancelled. I’m taking full advantage of this unexpected second chance. This is the type of quilty bucket list travel I planned for in retirement.

Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about myself:

  1. Cruises are not my thing.
  2. I enjoy solo travel. A private room option is essential – and I’m willing to pay a reasonable upcharge for it.
  3. While I will occasionally share a room with someone that I know, I am not into sharing a room with total strangers.
  4. Retreats in new-to-me locations are given priority consideration.
  5. Instructor led classes are highly preferred where significant travel is involved.
  6. If the proposed projects don’t appeal to me, I’ll pass.
  7. Sometimes, it’s absolutely worth splurging a little bit more just for the experience.

My preferences mean there are events I’ll likely never attend – and I’m totally okay with that. I don’t feel the least bit left out. In fact, I find inspiration in the projects marketed by various companies sponsoring quilt cruises. I can always buy the pattern or kit and make it at home, on sew days or at other BYOP retreats.

Photo by Mauru00edcio Mascaro on Pexels.com


Myrtle Beach Quilt Party

January 25, 2026
Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean at Springmaid Pier, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

The Myrtle Beach Quilt Party celebrated its 36th year this past week. I discovered this event about five years ago when I began compiling a list of all the quilting events I could attend once I left teaching and was longer tied to an academic calendar. I officially retired at the end of 2024. My goal is to knock 1-2 events off my list every year.

Myrtle Beach Quilt Party offers attendees the choice of taking instructor led classes or BYOP for the entire 3 days. I chose the Checks & Blossoms class, which is based off the Pecan Blossoms pattern from Fig Tree Quilts.

A completed block for the Checks & Blossoms class project.

Classes met in various rooms of the conference center at the The Ellie/Doubletree Springmaid Resort. About half of the classrooms had an ocean view. Unfortunately, mine did not. 😦 However, I did have a nice, sturdy workspace all to myself, plus a group of very nice ladies around me to chat with while I worked. My set-up is pictured below. See the lady in the pink top? The ocean view was behind the gray panel dividers opposite her.

A highlight of my trip was getting to have lunch and hang out in the vendor area with Sharon. Our paths last crossed at the 2024 QuiltCon in Raleigh, N.C. Perhaps she’ll be able to attend the MBQP in 2027? If a class catches my eye, I’ll definitely be back!

My set-up at the retreat.

My time in Myrtle Beach was cut short due Winter Storm Fern. I’d originally planned to extend my stay an extra day to avoid the bad weather at home. However, increased ice accumulation predictions for my side of the ATL had me heading back mid-day on Friday ahead of the storm. No regrets about that decision. We did get freezing rain, sleet and snow on Saturday night. My metal front porch rails look like glazed donuts right now. There are power outages near us, but thankfully our power is still on. Temperatures have warmed to the point where the predicted icy mix for us this afternoon will be all rain instead. That’s a good thing. Other parts of the ATL did not fare nearly as well.

I stayed on The Ellie side of the Springmaid Resort. The rooms are nice. However, they are arranged in a horseshoe configuration where every balcony overlooks the pool area. I could see straight across into all of the rooms on the opposite side. Not quite the ocean view I was expecting. If you, like me, prefer a more private ocean view from your balcony, consider the DoubleTree, which is adjacent to The Ellie.