Escapades in Ireland and the UK with Calhoun (Part One of Two Blog Entries)

 

Located in Howth, Ireland, this monument is titled The Lost at Sea Memorial. This monument originally honored the five killed crewmembers from The Geraldine, a non-military vessel sunk by a U-boat on March 30, 1918, during World War I. The statue now commemorates all individuals lost at sea for any reason. The picture states the following inscription. The second verse below is written in the native Irish language.

“The Cross represents the Love of God,
The rope edge and shell motif, His nets.
The anchor reflects our dependence on Him,
The rock…the safety of the land,
The swirling stones…the dancers of the sea
The 12 sides…the months of the year
The hooped railing…the rise and fall of the waves.

Ag Chíost an mhuir
Ag Chíost an t-iasc
I líontaibh Dé go gcastar sinn.

Christ of the sea
Christ of the fish 
May we be gathered in the nets of God.”

Mathew Calhoun and I were touched by the monument previously mentioned, especially with the symbolic Christian motifs from the etched verses. I will emphasize more details about the Irish fishing village of Howth and the elegance of this memorial later in the blog entry.

Mathew and I began our recent adventure overseas in Dublin, Ireland, arriving on a Tuesday during the last week of July. We booked a red-eye flight and were therefore very tired when we first arrived in Ireland. An unexpected blessing occurred at Egan’s Guesthouse, the small boutique hotel where we stayed. The hotel staff permitted us to access our room at 10:00 am in the morning, so we could rest to eventually enjoy the latter half of the day after staying up most of the night on the plane. We stayed in this guesthouse twice during our travels. We thoroughly enjoyed it each time, especially with these excellent acts of customer service.

While slowly waking up in the late afternoon, we got ready to take a leisurely stroll through the city to enjoy our surroundings. We made our way to the Jameson Distillery at Bow Street. While I do not typically drink a lot of liquor, I enjoyed the décor of the distillery and the history of the company, especially the information about the family who started the business. The distillery was first named The Steins Family Bow Street Distillery in 1780. John Jameson first served as the general manager and then eventually took over ownership of the entire operation. This entrepreneur's last name then became the company's title, Jameson Irish Whiskey. The Jameson tour reminded me of the bourbon trail in Kentucky, where you can similarly tour multiple distilleries.

On this first day in Ireland, we also climbed the Skyview Tower, adjacent to Generator Dublin, an uptown hostel with contemporary decor and hipster travelers spending time together in the lobby bar areas. The tower provided a brilliant glimpse of the city skyline and some landmarks we hoped to visit in the first week of our trip. From there, we walked a short distance to the Temple Bar, a riveting riverside community with quirky boutiques, live music venues, and crowded restaurants, filled with visitors from all over the world. You could hear various tunes in the bars, including pop, Metallica, and traditional folk Irish music. It was a diverse scene of celebration for individuals drinking, eating, and generally enjoying themselves. We ate at the Temple Bar Pub (a restaurant in the Temple Bar community with the same name) and then walked back toward the hotel, still a little tired from our red-eye flight the day before. 

On Wednesday morning, we scheduled a historical walking tour through a company named Sandeman’s New Dublin. Instead of an upfront fee, the tour guides on these walking ventures live off the tips tourists give them if they enjoy the experience. Our stops on tour included Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty Museum, the Dubh Linn Gardens, Trinity College, the Spire of Dublin, and the Molly Malone statue. John, our guide's name, constantly described various parts of the tour with references involving the word, “craic.” “It was a craic’in good time last night.” “That is a craic’in good club that gets busy around midnight.” “That was a craic’in good memory when Queen Elizabeth delivered her speech in the Dubh Linn Gardens.” I asked for an explanation since this term is most often associated with illegal drug consumption in the United States. John replied that “the craic” referred to “having fun” or “having a good time.” After our tour, at the recommendation of the guide, we visited a restaurant near the Temple Bar district named Mulligan and Haines. Both Mathew and I ordered the famed Irish dish, fish and chips. Given the late afternoon hour, there were few people in the restaurant. The food and service were exceptional, and the restaurant's décor was simple yet uncommon.  

On Thursday, Mathew and I visited the Guinness Beer Storehouse. The building encompassed seven floors combined with a beer factory, a museum, a large gift shop, and a gravity rooftop bar. The immersion interactive experience involved the science behind beer-making and the extensive history of Arthur Guinness and his family line. Arthur started brewing his porter-style beverages at St. James’s Gate as early as the 1770’s. Guinness is known for its creation from roasted barley, creating a rich aroma and a dark ruby color. This original Arthur beer recipe now accounts for 45% of the company’s global sales. 

I am a huge fan of lighthouses for their beauty and the symbolic nature of light in the darkness of a storm. Perhaps better said, semiotically, lighthouses represent images of hope to me. At night, a ship finds refuge when these symbols signify shallow waters that potentially could cause harm to the boats. 

As a result of my fascination with lighthouses, after our tour at the Guinness Beer Storehouse, we visited the Poolbeg Lighthouse on Friday. This structure sits on the outskirts of the city along the coastline. The retaining harbor wall to reach the lighthouse stretches almost a mile and a half long one-way. Upon the wall's initial construction in 1786, it was the longest of its kind in the world and remained one of Europe's longest seawalls to this day. The Poolbeg lighthouse structure is painted a distinct red, visible from afar several miles around on a bright day. From the retaining wall, one can also clearly see the North Bull Lighthouse (built in 1880) and the North Bank Lighthouse, which is nicknamed The Tea Caddy due to its architectural shape. Initially built in 1882, the North Bank Lighthouse looks like a giant mailbox on four enormous stilts. The North Bull Lighthouse resembles a classic cylinder-shaped lighthouse with a hazel-green tint.

On Friday morning, Mathew and I boarded a train to travel across Ireland to Galway, a coastal city on the west coast. Before heading to Galway, Mathew and I experienced a hiccup in our travel plans. Literally, less than forty-eight hours before our trip from Dublin to Galway, our tour company canceled our accommodations and planned itinerary for the next two days. We paid a flat fee for a company to escort us on a bus to multiple destinations on the west coast; however, I had to improvise with the sudden change. The Galway Races Summer Festival (perhaps Ireland's most famous horse races) occurred this same weekend we had planned to visit Galway, which certainly made for a festive experience. However, the last-minute accommodation took a lot of work to find. Thankfully, we found a modest-priced Airbnb to replace our original accommodations. 

We arrived in Galway around lunchtime, dropped our luggage off at our host home, and walked to a local eatery named The Full Duck Café. Our Airbnb host recommended this restaurant, known for its homemade cuisine and gourmet coffee. Mathew and I both enjoyed the meal and ventured into the main square again, where we stopped at the Galway City Distillery for a few specialty mixed gin drinks. In addition to rum and vodka, the distillery created multiple flavors of gin with different plants, organic ingredients, and natural oils. The business owner provided us with a free tour, an oral history of the company, and some local history about Galway as a city. We walked to the Spanish Arch, a famous archway in the original city walls from the 1700s. Mathew and I split up for a few hours to explore the city on our own.

I walked on the city's south side along the waterfront through a green space called South Park, along the River Corrib (a small water passage that flowed directly into the city from the ocean resembling a river). From a far distance away, I could see another lighthouse. As previously explained, I fancy a scenic lighthouse. Once through South Park, I reached the Mutton Island Causeway. It was approximately another half mile to the island, where a water treatment plant blocked access directly to the lighthouse; however, one still had a pleasant view of the top of the lighthouse. The scenery was majestic! It was getting dark, and I had several more miles to walk back and meet Mathew for a few beers before returning to our Airbnb residence for the night. Late into the night, the city thrived with eclectic pubs, local boutiques with handmade products, specialty coffee shops, and restaurants with exquisite cuisine. The town felt homey, sitting on the seaside, where most local landmarks were within walkable distance from each other. I walked a little over ten miles for the day. Exploration requires intense legwork. My heart was whole, and I was grateful for another abundant day with my friend. 

While Mathew stayed in Galway the next day, I booked an excursion to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher, which would last most of the morning and afternoon. My bus first left for Doolin, where we would take a ferry to the first of the three Aran Islands, Inis Oirr (also known as Inisheer in Irish). As one might suspect with Irish weather, this day was rainy and foggy, making visibility difficult in some areas. The thirty-minute ferry ride to the island made my stomach churn. Thankfully, I did not vomit off the side of the boat or on anyone’s lap. I was sitting next to a friendly, loquacious girl from Wales. So, my spit-up would definitely have been unfortunate.

When I arrived on the island, local tour guides offered rides to the arriving tourists with horse-drawn wagons. The island is only approximately three kilometers by three kilometers, meaning one can easily ride a horse, a bike, or take a walk around the inlet in a short amount of time. During the horse buggy ride, we visited a wrecked cargo ship, the Plassy, which wrecked into the island's rocks in the 1960s. The ship still sits on the wreck site with an old iron, rusted edifice. It resembles a true ghostship visual experience with an exciting tale. No lives were lost in the accident due to the bravery of local islanders. We also visited an ancient graveyard, where an old stone church was built into the ground. This in-ground design was meant to provide shelter from fierce winds and rain many years ago when people actually visited the church. The structure had been vacated for several decades and is known as Tiemphall Chaomha (Church of St. Keevauns or St. Kevin’s Church). Still, it provided another example of beautiful, Irish-aged architecture that weathered rainy storms and seas. Our ride ended at the bottom of a steep hill, where the ruins of O'Brien's Castle provided a 360-degree panoramic view of the island, the village, the docks, and the surrounding ocean. The island was one large rock, where locals broke up the rock and built several square fence structures to place soil and grow grass for livestock. So, much of the island looks like a checkerboard with stone fences everywhere, adding to the scenery's unique charm.

The island’s population is approximately three hundred people, with some churches, a school, stores, and a few café type restaurants. I gathered much of the island depended on tourism, including our guide with the horse-drawn wagon business. The island's first language was Irish, not English, even though most were fluent in both languages. Irish was taught in the local school. The island encompassed a freshwater lake centered in the middle of the landscape that my guide said an endangered eel species lived in, but could no longer be fished since now endangered. There were no other fish or major living organisms now in the small lake. Inis Oirr was a unique landmark with many captivating features that provided a glimpse into what some of Ireland might have looked like thousands of years - rugged, seaworthy, untouched, and splendid scenery.

The ferry ride back to Doolin stopped at the bases on the Cliffs of Moher, a UNESCO global geopark and Irish National Park. The heights reach as high as seven hundred feet in elevation. Ocean waters crashed against the rocks below as my eyes soared to the cliffs above. I steadied myself, so I did not get sick from the rough waters of the boat. After the ferry returned to the docks, the bus stopped at the Visitor Center at the Cliffs of Moher. Unfortunately, the weather had gotten so bad that you could not see any mesmerizing vistas. The tops of the cliffs have a lookout area known as O'Brien's Tower; however, again, nothing could be seen in the distance. Upon my return, Mathew and I had a restful evening because we would take an early train back to Dublin the following day.

We arrived back at Egan’s Guesthouse for our second stay in Dublin mid-morning. Because we had such a wonderful time during our first stay at Egan’s, we looked forward to seeing the staff and staying there again. We wanted to make the most of our second stay in Dublin by visiting a local, coastal fish town known as Howth, another popular destination many advised us to explore. It took about ten minutes via taxi and then thirty minutes via train to Howth from the Dublin city center. When we arrived in Howth, we grabbed lunch in The Oar House, where I ordered calamari and fish pie (naturally smoked Haddock served in a creamy vegetable horseradish sauce topped with mashed potato). The meal melted in my mouth like a milkshake on a hot Alabama summer day.   

In a smaller fashion, compared to Galway, Howth comprised one-of-a-kind seafood restaurants, craft vendors, and open green spaces. Along the waterfront edges, Pier Street connected to Howth Pier Park, which neighbored a picturesque yacht club and marina. The park led to another longer seawall that reached toward the Howth Lighthouse. These areas were easily walkable, surrounded by the townscape. Ireland's Eye is an island nature preserve with several protected bird populations, a grey seal colony, and several hiking trails. Ireland’s Eye was easily visible from the Howth Lighthouse. The town felt like a majestic scene in a movie!

Howth is also known for a famous hike known as the cliff trail, which circles the peninsula. Several planned loops range from approximately four to seven and a half miles (six to twelve kilometers). We had to walk a mile and a half uphill to reach the start of the trail. The trail was hilly, with several ocean cliff views and waves crashing several hundred feet below. For those who have not visited Ireland, it resembled many of the California coastline hikes and landmarks along the Pacific Coast Highway. For much of our hike, we could look back on the town of Howth, where the seawall enclosed the marina and highlighted the features of Pier Street and the lighthouse. It was a spectacle where the most detailed photographs might not capture the illustriousness of the moment.

On our way back to the Howth town center, after hiking several miles, we were hungry again. In addition to a few local beers, Mathew and I shared a joint order of crab claws in savory butter and homemade cocktail sauce at King Sitric Seafood Bar. We felt blessed to eat in this restaurant because it was clear most patrons had reservations, and our wait time was minimal. My mouth continues to water, recollecting and writing about our cuisine experiences in Howth. Our day in Howth might have provided the best food we had during our trip with these two meals.          

Mathew and I felt strongly connected to Dublin and the specific individuals we met during our first week of adventures. Thus, we decided to tour Trinity College at our own pace in more detail than the previously mentioned tour given by Sandeman’s New Dublin. As a prestigious university known by name around the world, Trinity resembles a campus with architecture similar to the Harry Potter school, Hogwarts, which is vividly depicted in the movie series. We then visited the Dubh Lin Gardens one more time before heading back to Egan’s, another distinct famous landmark of the city.

When I was a child, I remember walking through plush, soft grass at my favorite parks, massaging the bottoms of my feet like pillows on my face. The sensation makes me feel connected to nature; the experience created a spiritual connection between my childhood and that present moment in those dignified Dubh Lin nurseries. The grass freshly soothed my feet as I danced around the lawn like a sprite. On this occasion, I felt led to pray that God would bless this stunning place and express my gratefulness for the singular, unprecedented Irish personalities we encountered. On this last day of exploring Ireland, we easily walked (and hiked) another ten-twelve miles in total distance through Howth and Dublin.

Throughout my life, I have learned several lessons from my adventures with international traveling. I have navigated all over the world and thus experienced many different life perspectives. Sometimes people tend to see the world as they want to see it, rather than for what it is. Traveling breaks down a person's paradigm and allows an individual to see the world from other viewpoints. An encounter with culture opens a person’s eyes to real life, and these experiences, therefore, educate a person. It shows the beauty in the shades of gray that define who we are as individuals.

These experiences exhibit that a world exists outside of the United States. To be changed by this external world, an immersion experience in a culture other than your own benefits the traveler with newfound knowledge and information. The distinction between the well-traveled adventurer and a local stateside inhabitant becomes noticeable in how a person communicates, how they behave, and more importantly, what they think. International excursions open a mind to consider the world through the lens of another person’s journey. That open-mindedness is often visible in how an individual addresses another person in conversation.

Traveling outside of the United States enhances personal and professional relationships. When building relationships through cultural experiences, an individual realizes people with opinions other than their own might see things differently yet still live in harmony. In this approach to diplomacy, by the very nature of conflict, discord takes a backseat in efforts extended by people to understand each other. Sometimes there is more than one way of doing things well and maybe even a better way than initially perceived.

Finally, when shared with the right person, these experiences become lifetime memories. Mathew Calhoun is one of my closest friends. On multiple occasions, when I have felt a little down in the past, Mathew has spoken words of hope into my spirit. While together these few weeks, we became close and got to know each other even more than we previously did. 

(Portrait of James on the cliff trail in Howth, Ireland.)

(The Howth Lighthouse and the surrounding waterway on the edge of the town and the marina.)

(An emblem on the stone inside St. Kevin’s Church at the first of the three Aran Islands, named Inis Oirr.)

(The Mutton Island Lighthouse on the outskirts of Galway, Ireland.)

(Another view on one side of the Dubh Linn Gardens.)

(A camera self-portrait in the museum at the Guinness Beer Storehouse.)

(The Poolbeg Lighthouse – tall, bright, and red.)

(A glimpse of the North Bull Lighthouse from the Poolbeg Lighthouse seawall.)

(A sailboat in front of the North Bull Lighthouse, visible from the Poolbeg Lighthouse seawall.)

(A cross tombstone at Inis Oirr.)

(A view of the countryside at Inis Oirr.) 

(A view of the Galway, Ireland coastline.)

(The Dubh Linn Gardens walkway.)

(Mathew and I in the Gravity Bar, atop the roof of the Guinness Beer Storehouse.)

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #travel #internationaltravels #adventures #escapades #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee #Thanksgiving #goodness #lifelessons #CalhounAndCartee #Ireland #Wales #England #TheUnitedKingdom #UK

New Destinations, New Memories, and Our Finest Farewells

 

(Annabelle and Jace dance at Dry Falls Brewing Company.)

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

-James 4:14 (NIV)

My family often ventures for a weekend away to spend time together as a family. Lisa and I recently visited Easley, South Carolina, the hometown of my grandfather, James Louie Cartee, Sr. As many of my acquaintances know, my grandfather was an avid fan and supporter of the Clemson University Tigers sports teams. Easley is located very close to the Appalachian Mountains and some of the most beautiful state parks in the United States (i.e., Table Rock, Caesar’s Head, Paris Mountain). Easily is also positioned between the cities of Greenville and Clemson.

In addition to stopping in Easley, Lisa and I had long been wanting to visit Brevard, North Carolina. This small mountain town is known for white squirrels, mountain biking, waterfalls, and is the home of Brevard College. Brevard involves an active Main Street scene with family-style restaurants, art galleries, and other quaint shops. Our family ate lunch at the Brevard Diner, and I ordered the grilled trout as my lunch entrée. It was delicious! It tasted as if it had been freshly caught that morning in the cold mountain streams. Our waitress was fantastic! I drank all the water and coffee my bladder could hold. The décor of the restaurant was a classic diner like you might see in a movie, simplistic but still local.

We spent most of the afternoon on Main Street, including a visit to Rocky’s Grill and Soda Shop, where we were treated to delectable ice cream desserts. Rocky’s is a known establishment that has resided in Brevard since 1941. I ordered my usual two scoops of two different flavors. Lisa, on the other hand, ordered the largest ice cream Sunday on the menu. Annabelle (two years old) has not yet learned the crucial lesson of sharing. She claimed Lisa's Sunday as her own, however, we limited her intake of sugar. As a youngling, Annabelle loves ice cream, a treat she might eat once every few months.

We arrived at our Airbnb in Easley late Friday evening, where we quickly prepared both kids for bed. It was a long day traveling but a good one for many reasons.

The next day we slept in as long as Annabelle would let us. We drove to Greenville, South Carolina, another beautiful area that incorporates an active lifestyle in the residential scene. For example, we decided to visit the Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery. In a utopian mindset, Lisa loves grocery stores! This place was the most extraordinary grocery store I have ever been to. Everything is locally sourced in South Carolina from other family businesses. On the grounds, there is a café with several wonderful fresh offerings that make for a good lunch. A nearby building was an old bicycle shop, which had been turned into a community space with ping pong tables and arcade games. Imagine a large green space that resembles a beer garden for families, friends, and couples. This establishment neighbors a city greenway where bikes run rampant.  Riders often take a break from long distances at the Swamp Rabbit. Among multiple outdoor picnic tables, over a hundred people hung out while enjoying the pleasant weather. While the grocery store carried unique gifts, like candles and labeled t-shirts, the amount of fresh produce and selection of beers was immense.

After stopping at the Swamp Rabbit, Lisa and I wanted to visit the Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, North Carolina, situated about an hour from our Airbnb. The orchard was massive and resided on the top of a mountain where you could see local views in every direction. Apples were still being picked here in mid-November, which is typically a little late in the season. Lisa drank apple cider. I drank an apple slushie and ate several apple donuts. Like the ice cream Sunday, Annabelle possessively claimed a half donut from me, stating “Mine.” All four of us took a tractor ride around the orchard. I also shot an apple cannon at targets across a lake on the property. The canon was loud and resembled the force of a potato gun. These products and services were available for a modest price. The orchard provided a place for families to have a good time in a safe environment.

After another lovely day in these beautiful surroundings, we decided to eat and drink at Dry Falls Brewing Company in Hendersonville, North Carolina. On another previous trip, I visited the area just before Annabelle was born. At the time, the owners of Dry Falls offered the opportunity to pre-buy a drink for a police officer in order to honor these public servants. I sponsored one beer like several other local customers. When off duty, a police officer could enjoy some beverages on the tab of others who supported their services. So, I immediately had respect for the business!

A food truck named Heidi Ho on The Go supplied our dinner with some gluten-free, meatless options for Lisa. I had a few beers, and Lisa drank blackberry cider (also gluten-free). We both agreed that the food and drinks were flavorful. Most importantly, Dry Falls encouraged families to enjoy the atmosphere with an emphasis on tiny humans, meaning Annabelle and Jace. The residents of Brevard, Flat Rock, and Hendersonville seemed especially patient toward young children. Annabelle can sometimes test the nerves of customers close to us. During the week before our trip, I had completed and passed four six-hour comprehensive exams in my Ph.D. program at The University of Tennessee. So, we used the occasion to celebrate this momentous accomplishment! Dry Falls provided a great environment to do so!

On Sunday morning, Lisa and I ventured to my grandfather’s gravesite in Liberty to pay our respects. Called Jace for short, James Louie Cartee, IV is named after my grandfather. Since Jace did not get to officially meet his Great Grandad before his passing, we took a few pictures of Jace next to the tombstone. Lisa was not surprised that Grandad’s tombstone looked the “biggest and shiniest” in the cemetery. Grandad certainly possessed a BIG personality! Watching Jace and Annabelle, Lisa was not able to attend the actual funeral services. As a result, Lisa wanted to see the gravesite. We said a prayer and made our way home.  

Lisa and I enjoyed Brevard so much that we decided to take the same route back to Knoxville with a few more stops along the way. We would drive back through Brevard from Easley, which unfortunately involved many curvy mountain roads. We first stopped at Connestee Falls, a landmark we wanted to see Friday, however, rainy weather prevented us from doing so. Brevard borders the Pisgah National Forest, where several more beautiful waterfalls add to the scenery. In this national forest, we next visited Looking Glass Falls. Both these waterfalls are easily accessible for those with families and troublesome toddlers who have strong personalities. When I walked down to the bottom of Looking Glass Falls, Annabelle decided to lie down in a huge pile of leaves, like she was sleeping in a bed. She was blowing a gasket in her collision with nature. Thankfully, she had no spiders or ticks on her body afterward. She did not seem like her usual joyful self. I wondered what was wrong. Lisa and I would soon find out.

On the final leg driving up the mountain from Brevard through the national forest, Annabelle’s face turned a little greenish. After crying with a moan, she proceeded to vomit all over herself and her car seat. We stopped the car to clean up the mess and change Annabelle’s clothes. It was probably about forty degrees on the top of the mountain with a strong gust of wind. This freezing weather made Annabelle cry even louder on the side of the road. Lisa decided that Annabelle must be hungry after literally losing her lunch in our Honda Civic. No more than twenty-five minutes later, Annabelle threw up again with the recent crackers and goldfish Lisa decided to give her. We stopped again to change Annabelle’s clothes a second time. I had to unpack the entire trunk to get clothes out of the suitcase for this next change. While Annabelle was obviously carsick, we still had another twenty miles to cover before reaching Waynesville and straighter roads ahead. Annabelle’s hair was styled with vomit and leaves from wrestling with the dirt at Looking Glass Falls.  

While our last adventurous afternoon was eventful, I still found myself grateful for these messy spillovers. While probably cussing under my breath at that exact moment (especially after going through the vomiting scenario twice), I realized that God gave me a marvelous tiny human to clean and care for. In my younger days, God also gave me a dedicated Grandfather who often cared for me in some difficult situations. Lisa tends to be the champion with our kids and quickly cleans up decorative puddles of puke quicker than a transformer.

Annabelle gets sick occasionally. However, in a positive light, she cries a sweet quiver when she thinks Lisa or I plan to suddenly leave the apartment. She desires the family to always be together with her Mom and Dad by her side.

When I pick up Annabelle from daycare, she runs into my arms. When going to bed, Annabelle eagerly requests kisses for her and all the stuffed animals that accompany her nighttime sleep. Jace even now smiles when you kiss his cheeks fervently, caught between the love given by Lisa and me. If framed in a positive mindset, the frustrating moments still lead to smiles and remembering these mentioned blessings. Emotions might take over in the seconds of messy situations. However, God instills joy through these tiny humans, even amidst the grossest of moments in a vomit-filled car with a filthy kid who needs a bath. The following Bible verse reminds me of this observed truth.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one's youth.
Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents in court.”

 -Psalm 127: 3-5 (NIV)

*Please view these pictures from our recent weekend getaway. 

(Dry Falls Brewing Company was converted into a microbrewery with what was once an automobile body shop.)

(Lisa and Jace eagerly await the orchard tractor ride.)

(Sky Top Apple Orchard near Flat Rock, North Carolina)

(Connestee Falls, near Brevard, North Carolina)

(Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina)

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #DaddiesAndDaughters #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee #Thanksgiving #goodness #lifelessons

Missing My Girls! ~A Narrative of Appreciation

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Just this past week, my wife, Lisa, took Annabelle to Austin, Texas so they could visit with Grandma Silvia (a.k.a. Grandma Silky), which I am sure was an interesting experience for my daughter, to say the least.

I must admit that the house is much quieter, and moments seem to move a little slower with my family gone. I definitely miss their presence around me, and I might even potentially miss the chaos constantly in motion. The house remains clean. The silence of a home environment seems almost too good to be true, especially when I need to get work done or study for my doctoral program. Funny how the nature of this dualistic reality works – when immediate family is present, we sometimes wish they were absent to get things done. However, when they are gone for an extended period, our heart clings to have our loved ones back, somewhere near us.

In the form of relationships, we often take for granted the people we assume will continue to be here every day. The blessings that life gives us means that life can also take them away instantaneously. For instance, people eventually die, leaving precious relationships behind, only to be reunited at another eternal time in the future.

Induration, this timeframe with Lisa’s visit to Texas is the longest I have been separated from Annabelle since her birth. Her missed presence shows how much she truly is a source of joy and my sunshine on a cloudy day. It feels a little lonely without my girls here with me in our home.

It does not matter how bad I feel or what might be consuming my mind. Annabelle’s smile makes a lonely day that much better, giving me the ability to focus on my child and not so much on myself. Our attention given to serving others draws forth positive energy that can only lead to other positive outcomes. Perhaps that is why Christ fixated his attention on others in service to them. He felt positive vibes in the act of doing so.

When Lisa and Annabelle return this week, I hope their absence will be a reminder of how truly fortunate I am to have each of them in my life. They sure are my closest support system since we still do not know many folks in Knoxville, where we now live. In a sense, I would even call Lisa and Annabelle my best friends. I hope a grateful heart lives in the realization of just how amazing they are when I can see and experience their presence on a daily basis.

(Annabelle loves to play with Daddy on the floor where her toys take over the entire living room.)

(Annabelle thinking, “Who is ready to cook these eggs for breakfast?”)

(Annabelle loves to eat, party, and dance while we play the game, Singo, at one of our favorite local spots in Knoxville, Calhoun’s Restaurant.)

(Annabelle thinking, “Is that the theme song from the movie, Frozen, I hear again on the TV? I love this tune!”)

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #DaddiesAndDaughters #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee

A TRIP to FRIPP - The Baby’s First Trip at The Beach….Positivity Spreads Across Generations!

(Annie, Lisa, and I are walking on the beaches at Hunting Island State Park. You can see the tip of the famous lighthouse in the background.) 

I count each additional day that I get to spend time with my daughter, Annabelle, to be a precious blessing. Her smiles cause my heart to freeze with joy each time I sense her evident happiness.

Life is short, and as humans, we often become what we concentrate our attention on the most. For instance, if I constantly complain about trivial details in my life, then I will probably have a slightly negative disposition towards my life. On the other hand, if I speak positively of every circumstance in my life, then naturally I will probably love life, even amid tragedies. There is good to be found in every situation if you seek the good things you wish for. We become what our thoughts most dwell on, psychologically, emotionally, and perhaps even spiritually.

Life potentially develops into what you expect will happen. And of course, sometimes the unexpected happens but not necessarily in a bad way. If we ask God to bless us, then we can optimistically expect those requests to come to fruition. Believe they will occur. I speak these life wishes into verbal statements of self-affirmation over and over and over again. You transform yourself into the thoughts you give the most attention to, positive or negative sentiments.

Like the positive person I hope Annabelle continues to be through her continual giggles and smiles, she probabilistically emulates the people she spends the most time with, her parents. For the first time this past week, Annabelle experienced the feel of beach sand, a lighthouse climb of multiple stairs, and her feet against ocean waves. I choose to focus my attention on her first nervous steps in the cold waves (positive), rather than the observation that the weather was not exactly ideal (negative). I hope to fixate on my rare moments with family I only see a couple of times a year (positive), rather than some of their relative tendencies to slightly annoy me (negative).

While partaking in my beach vacation, for instance, I was given a brief lecture on how Lisa and I should be raising Annabelle. I have noticed that many folks willingly give advice, even when not requested. If a cynic focuses only on cynical commentary, then their continual self-indulgent need to give advice will neither come across as positive or constructive. It is just painful on the ears forced to listen. Hence James 1:19 reminds us of the following: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

I hope Annabelle is raised to realize, live, and know the humility of when to listen and when to speak (thriving with a James 1:19 mentality). Walking on the beach provides a majestic opportunity to listen to the crashes of waves and the voices of nature with seagulls soaring in a place called home, meaning Fripp Island, South Carolina. My family has journeyed to Fripp Island every summer for the last 50 years, not missing one year in that streak. This continual tradition is quite an impressive blessing! I gasp in the awes of island sunsets and beach sunrises in this marvelous place on an annual basis.     

I will acknowledge and concentrate on the fact that each new year at Fripp Island is better than the previous one. My positive mentality in the present will actively transform into my positive mentality for the future. Each day that passes can be better than the previous day. I suppose it is just a matter of how you look at life and the present moment you live in. What do you give most of your mental attention to? Because that focused energy will be the force you generate throughout your life, positive or negative, optimistic or cynical. I hope that Annabelle lives with moments at Fripp Island where her Daddy laughs and smiles more than anyone else in the room with true joy. The sand between my toes is the positive sensation I will remember and give thanks for as my daughter builds her first sandcastles.

I am no longer the glass-half-empty kind of guy. Annabelle helps me be a glass-half-full father for the future. She constantly reminds me of what is most important in life, experienced memories, a relationship with Jesus, and family.

And of course, here at some of our favorite photographed moments with Annabelle at Fripp Island.

(Annie with G-Daddy on the beach, my father.)

(Annie and her first steps in the ocean water on the beach.)

(Annie, Lisa, and me before dinner at The Bonita Boathouse, restaurant at Fripp Island Marina.) 

(Annie with CeeCee at the Lost Local Restaurant in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina, my mom.)

(Annie on the beach with G-Daddy, Aunt Susan, and Cousin Madison.) 

(Annie inside the beach tent with Lisa and me. It was cold and windy on this day.)

(Annie wakes up at the beach house in the morning. Mornings are usually the time for her best, cheerful moods….a.k.a. fun to be around.)

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #DaddiesAndDaughters #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee

What did you do this weekend? We Drift. We Moonshine. We Hike! (with insights on honor and commitment)….

The following memory resurfaced on my Facebook feed this week from eleven years ago, which seemed ironic given what happened to me these last few weeks.

James Cartee

“Do people come through? That is the nature of what should define a friendship. If someone brings drama or negativity in the slightest to the table, is that someone you want to spend valuable energy, insight, and time pouring into? I also believe a person is defined by their word. If you make a commitment, perhaps it is best to stick to it or not commit at all. Sometimes "No" really is the simplest answer.”

I desire for my legacy to mean something significant to the people around me when I pass away, especially in terms of how Annabelle views her father and even talks about me with other people. Just to note, Annabelle was not riding in any of the cars seen drifting here in these clips.

I was recently speaking with an old friend who has since retired from an established career of teaching Communication in higher education, and she mentioned that I was “growing up.” It only took me almost forty years to do so. But I am okay with that. When raising a daughter, I often reflect on my humanity and the lessons I learn in my journey with God and family by my side.

First, I eventually hope that Annabelle speaks about her family with fondness and excitement in the adventures that we live through together. I am not one to typically condone hours of watching television, playing Pokémon cards, or video gaming while life passes by in real moments that we could share together. On this particular Saturday, these race cars were filmed drifting, and we also drank moonshine (obviously not Annabelle). We ate a late lunch of fine dining at Cracker Barrel. And we ended the day with a beautiful hike at Seven Days Birdwatching State Park, near the French Broad River and the Smoky Mountains National Park.

Second, I hope that Annabelle learns the importance of keeping her word when she commits herself to something of importance, even if that something is only important to the person originally committed to. I recently had a friend bail on me with an event of personal importance to go work “an optional extra shift” with a job, not to mention I had paid out of pocket for his admittance into the game. He brushed it off like it was no big deal, yet it was a big deal to me! Today’s generation (probably me included at times) flakes through commitments with no real consideration for other people. The focus on myself has become the priority over serving your fellow man or woman sitting or standing next to you. 

Third, to clarify, it is not that self-image is ultimately the most important thing to me. It is the person and standard someone sets him or herself up to be that instead is paramount to me. In other words, you can be the fool, or you can be the person people respect and depend on. I desire for Annabelle to think about how her actions, thoughts, and commitments influence the people around her, from the way she dresses to the way she speaks with and to other people. Her depicted persona reflects upon this family, and I hope she understands the last name Cartee carries weight in the honor it represents to her father and others.

Keeping a person’s word and the value of honor might be an old-fashioned ideal to some. My wish remains that Annabelle respects keeping her word and honors those around her with a swagger that inspires. As the old saying goes, it is not always what you say that speaks of the person you are. It is what you do that defines what a person is about. 

Personal life lesson reminders for Annabelle, Lisa, and I – Don't be a flake!

Keep your word when given!

Let your “Yes’s” be true “Yes’s”!

Let your “No’s” be true “No’s”!

Live honorably in a way that esteems all your family members, especially our parents and grandparents before us. Respect is not freely given. It is earned!

If you devote your time, resources, and energy to any relationship, my wish and prayer for you is that your devotion to these priorities brings forth fruit for many years to come!

Here are some of the latest Annabelle pictures, including our recent hike, when the mountains called me home again.

#daddydestinations #daddy #dad #blog #family #DaddiesAndDaughters #destinations #memories #story #narrative #inspiration #JamesCartee