Summer vacation: PDX-CLT

Aurelia, Sylvia and I were lucky enough to start our vacation with a visit to our family in Asheville, NC. By a happy coincidence my cousin Grace and her eldest son Phillip were in Charlotte the same day we arrived (taking Phillip's sweetie to the airport) and gave us a ride back to the Asheville homestead. So much better to be greeted by family after a long voyage.

After many hugs were exchanged my cousin Tony and his youngest son Nicky (Nicholas) joined us as we stretched our legs and got some fresh air. Nicky lead the way and was the first to spot this brilliant green moth.

Sylvia spent her time hanging out with her family.

(Hanging with Nicky-who does a very convincing Harry Potter impression).

(Hanging with Angel and Matthew).

Our appetites were well taken care of with traditional Ecuadorian food. We enjoyed tostones and llapingachos. Below, Grace puts the finishing touches on a batch of empanadas.

Travelling on the holiday meant we missed our annual dose of fire works. Nicky and Tony obliged with a backyard show.

Followed by some well deserved lap time with la Michita.

This trip may well be characterized by too little time spent with so many wonderful people. Too quickly our three days in Asheville were up and we headed down from the hills for our flight to Boston.

...and some airport sprinting!