august got away from me, it seems. i spent nearly two weeks of it on vacation in Massachusetts, spending time with doug, doug's friends, and members of doug's family. what a super fun adventure. the trip centered around the wedding of doug's dearest friend, bethany, and her partner-in-crime of seven years, mike.
it's amazing what you can cram in to 11 days. [it's also amazing how many photos you can take. i swear, i'm trying my best to share only some of my favorites.] frisbee golf & flatbread pizza in Amesbury, a visit to Rockport, a beach day in Ipswich, a windy ferry ride to Boston for dinner with doug's brother. on the thursday before the wedding, the guys headed to a casino in CT while the girls declared the evening "scandalous shirt night," met up for indian food, and then took the train into Boston for martinis & dancing- and wound up running barefoot through the streets to catch the last train back to Salem.
then, of course, there was the wedding. the most fun, most laid-back, most sincere and genuine celebration of true partnership and true friendship i've ever had the privilege of attending. the morning of the wedding, bethany's friends and family came by with all the flowers they'd been growing for the event and put together bouquets to be placed in beer steins as centerpieces for the picnic tables - and bethany's friend erica made the beautiful bouquets that bethany and her bridesmaids carried.
after, we headed to Smolak Farms in North Andover, MA to get set up. yep, the wedding was on a farm - told you it was laid-back. the ceremony was brief, and officiated by bethany's uncle, with readings from The Velveteen Rabbit, Whitman's Song of the Open Road, and Shel Silverstein. At the reception a few steps away there was a petting zoo, frisbee golf, batchi, & horseshoes, squirt guns, a kick-ass band, mike & beth's own home-brewed beer [which i never did try, because i was drinking raspberry-lime rickeys all day...], homemade vegetarian chili, and fantastic catered bbq [grilled veggies, ribs, brisket, pulled chicken, and the best cornbread ever, hands down] - oh, and instead of wedding cake: cupcakes.
[doug likes the digital macro function.]
it was a comfortable, relaxing trip. doug's friends were incredibly welcoming and friendly [seriously, beth & mike let us live in their spare room, even while preparing to throw a pretty big-deal party and all...] and made me almost wish i lived in Salem so i could hang out with them anytime i wanted.
plus, if i did, i'd get to hang out with fizzle again, too.
long weekend beckons. plans for a trip to Ikea, volunteering at a runner's aid station for the Portland Triathalon [through REI], bbq at Emmy & Jon's, and perhaps a hike.
enjoy yours.
