Rick and I visited the Cape Cod Church of Christ and the service got us out of there later than what we had intended. We arrived at Woods Hole (which once thrived on the whaling industry) 45 minutes before the ferry would leave for Martha's Vineyard. So we ate at the Quick Stop Restaurant, which was an order-at-the-counter-hole-in-the-wall place. They offered Lobster Tacos and to our delight were great, but a bit pricey. Climbing the gang plank brought us back to the fond days on our Carnival cruise trip after our daughter's wedding. The entire family including grandkids went. Anyway, the inside of the ship reminded me of incredibly dingy theater seats. Many of the seats had splits, some were duct taped, and some had a trash bag over the seat indicating, "broken!" Welcome to voyage to Martha's Vineyard. The
Steamship Authority advertised "lowest fares," now I better understand the
lowest fares. We chose to go to the upper deck and enjoy the fresh air. While the ship (loaded with people, bicycles, cars, trucks
, etc.) was bounded to MV the day was a rather pleasant autumn in Cape Cod. Standing near us was a gentleman who looked like he was familiar with his surroundings and I asked him if he knew anything about the island. Jackpot! Vito, the Italian New Yorker, stated that he is a seasonal resident and he answered all of our questions and gave us insider information.
He was so kind he wanted to walk us to the tour bus when we landed, but we convinced him we would manage, but we asked if he would take our picture in front of the ship. Then Rick took a picture of Vito and me. Vito lives in Edgarstown on MV and was on his way to get 9 holes of golf in before the sunset.
Not a moment passed that we said goodbye to Vito, we spotted the information booth 1/2 block away in this town of
Oak Bluff. A young lady approached me and asked if I knew where was the information center. We told her to follow us because we thought it was just ahead--and it was! Unfortunately all the tours were done for the day, but the booth lady said we could go down the street and purchase a regular bus pass. While waiting for the bus to
arrive a couple of ladies tell us about the lovely cottages that are just one block beyond the main street. I wanted to see the cottages because I saw on the History Channel about how the Methodists had a religious encampment they started in the late 1800s. They set up a huge tent for their meetings and families would set up their tents around the big tent. Today there is an iron structure replicating their big tent. Each year the families would stay on the island a little longer that they decided to build permanent dwellings--cottages!
Our main objective was to see the infamous
Aquinnah Lighthouse with its unique clay cliffs. At sunset the cliff becomes a darker hue of orange, very warm and inviting. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis lived in Aquinnah. Understandably by the area's natural beauty and seclusion from the rest of the world answers why she chose to live there.
The young lady that I mentioned earlier is Christine Schmidt from
Germany. She wanted to see the cottages too, that I mentioned earlier. Rick and I were shocked when she told us that she is almost 30 because we thought she was a teenager. She is an elementary school teacher and is on a 2-week fall break. This was her first time to travel alone. So we all became buddies. She helped taking pictures of Rick and I and I asked her to pose with me. Very sweet young lady. Later she was going to her host family in Connecticut. But the next day she was going on an autumn train ride in New Hampshire. We encouraged her, if she had time, to visit the
Flum
e Gorge where we had just visited--an
awesome part of nature.
This lovely path to and from the beach bore all the loveliness of the dune beac
h. Behind me is the beach. Ahead, on top of the mountain in the background is where the lighthouse is located. There are more photos of the beach, clay cliffs, and the little cottages on my Facebook page (click on "Mary Roedel Shur" on top left of this page. The picture of the setting sun here I have titled, "The Eye of God." Click on any of the pictures to get a closer view.
January 1 is the start of the new decade toward a symbolic perfect vision for the future in 10 years-2020. Now is the time to make special plans and commitments by making physical, educational, financial, and most importantly spiritual goals for the year, next five years and especially 2020, ten years from now. Make plans for yourself, your family, your work, for the Lord. God bless you always.
, etc.) was bounded to MV the day was a rather pleasant autumn in Cape Cod. Standing near us was a gentleman who looked like he was familiar with his surroundings and I asked him if he knew anything about the island. Jackpot! Vito, the Italian New Yorker, stated that he is a seasonal resident and he answered all of our questions and gave us insider information.
arrive a couple of ladies tell us about the lovely cottages that are just one block beyond the main street. I wanted to see the cottages because I saw on the History Channel about how the Methodists had a religious encampment they started in the late 1800s. They set up a huge tent for their meetings and families would set up their tents around the big tent. Today there is an iron structure replicating their big tent. Each year the families would stay on the island a little longer that they decided to build permanent dwellings--cottages!
Our main objective was to see the infamous Aquinnah Lighthouse with its unique clay cliffs. At sunset the cliff becomes a darker hue of orange, very warm and inviting. Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis lived in Aquinnah. Understandably by the area's natural beauty and seclusion from the rest of the world answers why she chose to live there. 
e Gorge where we had just visited--an 
awesome part of nature. 
return for a special meeting next Spring.
ered a couple of covered bridges; one for vehicles, one pedestrians; a bear cave and a wolf den. More pictures of all these sites can be viewed on my (Mary Roedel Shur) Facebook page. 
e much like Northern Michigan where Rick and I grew up. They are small in number, struggling, but are vibrant and love the Lord every bit as much as the churches of the South.
in Florence we look forward to one of our favorite nature trails where we walk over 2.5 miles with a few of its challenging slopes. It is the Tennessee Valley Authority Reservation, a TVA development area for the Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River. Along the trail we encourntered several clusters of butterflies. There were so many they landed on us as we walked through their dwelling place. Click on photo of Rick to see the butterfly on his back. 
Nature greets us often while traveling on the road. At the crevice of the Smokey Mountains we anticipate the panoramic view of Lake Nickajack encompassing both sides of the thoroughfare. Soon approaching Lookout Mountain, the Creek word is--Chattanooga of the Cherokee Indians. Two years ago we visited Covenant College (which Rick thought it was a monastery), Point Park, and hand gliders run-off on the Eastern Brow of the mountain.
The following Monday was Labor Day and we finally drove up to ROCK CITY atop Lookout Mountain. Along the Enchanted Trail is Fat Man's Pass, a squeeze for both of us (I had a backback camera case, Rick had frontal baggage--lol), Swing-Along Bridge, Lover's Leap, Rainbow Cave, and beautiful views and rock formations like this picture of STONE FACE! Click on photo for detail.
Mid-September through mid-October we will be visiting the churches of Christ throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. We will start north and (hopefully) capture the peak Autumn season. I will be taking my Nikkon to capture some God-made views.
Our venture began as we traveled to Cocoa Beach, Florida where I officiated my daughter's wedding. Our entire immediate family attended this wonderful and beautiful beach event. All four daughter's, 3 son-in-laws, and 7 grandkids.
I will be working with the churches in the Florida area as follows:
Orlando April 14 - 22
