The Driving Wasn’t Bad

Today was the day I had to get home. I finished classes in the mountains yesterday. Had one last celebratory dinner. The staff and the guests had all hunkered down at High Hampton so we did not have much information about the roads.

I needed to get home because I have six classes this week in Chapel Hill starting first thing in the morning. Russ didn’t want me to leave too early so that the sun could do it’s work on any black ice. That being said I still woke up at five in the morning.

I had a leisurely lie in, playing my NYT games, reading my email and answering inquiries. After one last yummy breakfast, I was on the road at 9:45. There were a few snowy/icy spots as I left Cashiers, but for the most part the roads were fine.

The good thing is there were very few people driving. I drove straight home without a stop and the worst road conditions were right at the end of our driveway. Russ told me the postman had gotten stuck there earlier and he and two other guys had to push the mail truck up the hill.

It was 41° by the time I got home so hopefully the left over snow in our driveway and street will melt soon. Back out early in the morning to teach two classes tomorrow. I hope the drive is just as easy.

Sooner Rather than Later

It was a special weekend at High Hampton. A truly fabulous group of strangers came together to learn, enjoy being snowed-in and pampered, now leaving as friends.

Some people are afraid of snow, but for the strong souls who aren’t they reaped the rewards. We had such a magical time playing, eating, laughing. It may have been cold outside, but we were having too much fun to notice.

As a teacher, I can’t thank the wonderful staff at High Hampton enough. They came together to stay at the inn, hunkering down with the guests to ensure that we all had the time of our lives. It was a skeleton crew who worked morning, noon and night ensuring our every need was cared for.

Haley and Devon waited on us at breakfast, lunch and dinner, multiple days in a row. I have no idea the names of the chefs in the kitchen, but every bite was memorable.

Bekky and Reilly were so helpful getting the equipment and rooms ready. Their smiling faces never showed any stress of what running an inn in a blizzard might entail. When I mention my room got cold in the night, since it was 5° outside, they put a space heater and an extra fluffy blanket in my, now toasty, room.

Thanks to Molly Harris for taking such fabulous photos this weekend.

The front desk staff, porters and drivers always made sure the fire places were roaring. They even cleaned all the snow off my car, just to drive it up to load my mah Jongg equipment in it tonight.

The best part of the weekend was getting to know Andrea who came in from Blackberry. She came to every class and was the best side kick I could have ever asked for. At dinner tonight I told her I felt like we have been friends for six years.

As for my students, who are now my friends. Coming to High Hampton to learn is so much more than taking a class. We get to share meals together, tell stories and laugh so much. Thanks to all for a most memorable weekend. I look forward to doing all again “sooner rather than later.” And if you know me, sooner is now, everything else is later.