Evidently an oyster roast is a traditional event in the southeast. We were invited to our first Oyster Roast by our nextdoor friends. It took place at our friend’s family estate south of Savannah. It is now a private event space owned by what was the family enterprise and is now an international corporation.
We started with a tour of the home.
Grove Point
We started with roasting the oysters.
This is the traditional way of roasting oysters
Then eating the oysters
I overindulged here
Little did I know that there was a full barbeque brisket dinner to follow
I shouldn’t eat again for a week
Beautiful event in a beautiful place
The site of the venue was where the movie “Cape Fear” was filmed in the 1960’s. We watched the movie that evening.
We made a short trip to Jacksonville and St Augustine. Jacksonville for shopping and St Augustine to see the Christmas lights. I was not expecting much but they turned out to be quite a sight to see.
Ran into many tourists from all over the US and Latin America. After dark the restaurants were really crowded.
We have the whole gang here with us this year. And, we are looking forward to a great time.
This is the day before Thanksgiving. The guys went off for an adventure: we went to a local gun range. It was the first time shooting pistol for son-in-law James, years ago for son Jim and me. Makes me want to get back into firearms.
We didn’t do bad for novices
Thanksgiving morning all of us participated in the local 5K run. Son-in-law James came in first and won a pumpkin pie. We will add it to the desserts for this evening. There are never enough pumpkin pies.
Tina and Emma set a beautiful table for the Thanksgiving meal.
Our daughter had a somewhat unconventional wedding experience. Married to a British fellow in Vietnam; she did not have a conventional wedding while in Vietnam. Being in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic also inhibited local celebrations. Later we improvised a celebration by having a party for them in England about a year later. Note that I previously put together a blog for that event. The English party was a great success and we were able to meet his side of the family. A great group of people. Our intent at that time was to follow up with a similar event in New England. That intent was the genesis of our party in West Hartford.
Tina and Emma did the lion’s share of planning and preparation for the party. A great deal of added help came from Tina’s cousins and some of our one time neighbors in West Hartford who also helped with the preparation. What turned out was a truly fun event for us, our Connecticut friends, Tina’s relatives and Emma’s friends. Many traveled a long way to come to the event.
The event started Friday with a pizza party for all who could make it at a local fun pizza place named Sparrow.
The actual event took place at a local golf club. The weather was delightful as we were in the height of the spectacular Autumn leaves.
The event was truly joyful and, I believe, everyone had a good time. It was a fun and meaningful recognition of our daughter’s marriage. The event exceeded all of our expectations.
A lot of the family in attendanceTina’s brother and his familyWest Hartford neighborsSome of Emma’s friends
We also enlisted Emma’s youth pastor (Now Senior pastor) to do a blessing of the marriage.
In the English tradition, James made a speech about their relationship from his perspective. It was very moving to all.
I will be writing a blog about our event in West Hartford after I get access to the photos. But, in the meantime I wanted to post some photos I took this morning.
We are spending the night at the Groton Inn in Mass. This morning there was a scene I wanted to share of the meadows behind the Inn.
Tina would say this is true New England in the Autumn
Well, we made it to West Hartford. The reason we are here is to have a celebratory party for our daughter, Emma’s, wedding. True, she was married in Vietnam a couple years ago. And, true, we had a party for her and her husband in his native country, England. But we had not had heretofore, a celebration for our friends and family in New England. So, we are here to do that.
The last few weeks have been a riot of activity with the long distant preparations. I have to admit that these preps were pretty much on the shoulders of Tina and Emma. From my perspective, that of trying to stay out of the way and not interject my opinions, it is going to be a truly fun evening. I should say two evenings and several days. Tonight we are going to host a gathering at a pizza place in West Hartford, Sparrow, for those that are coming into town as well as locals that have helped Tina and Emma with preps.
The venue of the party,the Rockledge Golf Club, has been visited a couple times, Sparrow was visited and the pizza approved, dessert has been ordered from the go to Italian bakery, koufeta prepared, party stuff bought and about a thousand other things completed or started.
We went early to Sparrow, the pizza venue, a bit early. It was good that we were early because parking in West Hartford on a Friday evening is packed. Guests started arriving right on time at 5:30. The Sparrow staff was great, they had us set up in a prime location and the pizza was outstanding. As well the salads and the French fries we got for the kids (although I and a number of other adults sampled them heavily) were great with large portions. Jim selected the wine and, as usual, did a great job. Family mixed well with local friends.
Pizza was great I think all, especially the kids and I, had a good time
Today was spent with Jim in New Haven. It was pretty much a kick back day as yesterday was such a full day. Since Jim lives here and knows the town, it was fun having him show us around and pick the prime spots.
We started at a Greek diner for breakfast. Tina was able to recall some Greek and talk with the owner and his wife. It turns out that they are from the Pelepanese but the other side of the peninsula from Tina’s roots.
After doing some chores we all went to the Yale Art Museum. It is a true gem. Many remarkable and recognizable works of art. To mention just a few: Monet, van Gogh, Degas, Matisse, Turner, O’Keefe the list goes on and on. And, everything is very accessible. If one wanted to get thrown out, you could touch the artwork. And, it is free.
Early dinner at a nifty Irish Pub while watching football and an early to bed.
This morning we met up with son Jim and caught Metro North in New Haven and set off for the Big Bad City. We have tickets for the Met performance of Rigoletto; an opera none of us have seen.
The ride into Grand Central Station is pretty much like the last time I made this trip a few years ago. The first hints of autumn color are beginning to appear on the trees. It also appears that there is an increase in the number of apartments/condominiums. Every old mill seems to have been converted to lofts and new construction is being built to look like converted mills. I am thinking less like Bauhaus and more like cheap construction.
Grand Central Station A little color on the Central Park trees
Arriving at the Met is always an event
There is something special about performances at the Met
After the performance we stopped at one of our typical haunts, Saluneria Rosi. This is always a treat as the food is great and wine selection fun. Although, we just had a glass of wine and an appetizer. We had planned to get Sushi at a place Jim suggested. Likewise, the Sushi was great.
On our way back to New Haven. Some great street performers in Grand Central Station.
As we are approaching New Haven, we all agree that it was a fun day but we are all ready for some sleep.
It has been a while since I posted anything. But, I am planning to initiate a new series of posts as we are planning an event in New England.
Our daughter married a British fellow a couple years ago. We had a celebration in England last year with his family. Now we are planning a similar celebration in New England with our friends and family. Actually, this will be the third celebration since they were married in Vietnam.
Preparations for the celebration have been on going for a while. I have to admit that I have stayed at arms length from the preparation. Our daughter and Tina did most of the prep with significant help from aunts and uncles.
I am planning to use this forum to publish some photos of the event.
The preparations have progressed to the point that Tina and I have traveled to New England. We have made it as far as New Haven where our son lives.
I plan to pick up the blog tomorrow as tonight we are bushed. The drive from NYC to New Haven on I 95 was most likely setting in a parking lot.
This is an amendment to the post.
Yesterday we stopped to have a short visit with Tina’s uncle Chuck. He lives a short jog off the NJ turnpike. Chuck recently lost his wife Virginia. Virginia was cherished by all who knew her. Chuck took us to two memorials that were placed in her memory. It was a particularly moving time for Tina. A short but good stop.
Backpacking Bill 