things that i love

Wonder what the link is then? LOL! Looks like a great spot and I've not been too far from there a few times now. Got in-laws that live in Charolottesville VA.

i have found antique stores and taverns and cool places that are not easily seen by doing the alley walks

I wanted to respond to two of D'ner's posts (and I never know where my post will end up here, so I'm talking about "thunderstorms, and scents of firewood, rain, and hot chocolate" and then "alley walks".

One of my most favorite Pennsic moments was getting the day rained completely out (you know, several of my most favorite Pennsic moments involve being trapped in camp by a downpour. I see a pattern here. And a lesson.) It was a gray, chilly downpour, so we sat under a tarp in Swamp, where our camp is, just hanging out. We could smell mud, rotting wood, green leaves, the creek. The wet ashes smouldering in the firepit. Fresh split wood that we'd just ordered for the party we hoped to be able to have that night (we did. The rain stopped. ) We sat for hours enjoying each other, my tribe and members of the other tribes that share the Court of Miracles. Laughing and joking and huddled together against the damp and chill. And we drank hot chocolate with marshmallows. :-) Magic.

Alley Walks: I remember years ago being in Charleston, SC a lot and we used to do this. Off the beaten track in Charleston is a beautiful, fascinating thing. Charleston is a historic city, full of ruins and ancient, hidden things. Well, as ancient as you can get in this country, pretty much. A bunch of us came out of an alley one dark night, late, and heard music coming from an open church door.

Light spilled out of the doorway toward us like a beacon , and through the stain glass rose windows, glowing colors spilled all over the front sidewalk and stairs. Nobody said anything, we all just did the same thing. We very silently sat down on the ground in the spangled colors near the door, and listened to a choir sing Jerusalem. Huddled by the door of a 250 year old church with friends, listening to beautiful voices singing on a georgeous summer night in a historic city. Not something you could ever pay for or even plan.

When they finished, we just as silently got up and slipped away.

It's one of my favorite memories.