Playa del Carmen, Mexico [December 2008]

The first week of December we spent in Playa del Carmen in the Rivera Mayan with our good friends Jason & Jenna Meyer. Their wedding was at sunset on a secluded beach with the ocean waves crashing in the background. 

Christmas trees in 80 degrees is different.

Towel art welcomed us each day.

Jason and Jenna Meyer.

Sand from Jersey, Colorado, and Mexico.

St. Thomas, USVI  [July 2008]

We traveled to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands for Jennifer's sister Lindsay's wedding. It was enjoyable meeting John's family and friends from New York. The wedding was wonderful and in an absolutely beautiful setting. We stayed a few extra after the wedding in the capital city of Charlotte Amalie. 

At Home in the Tropics Bed & Breakfast .

The view overlooking Sapphire Beach. 

Portland, Oregon [April 2008]

Jennifer's sister, Lindsay, and her husband, John, live in North East Portland, Oregon. It is a charming city with great food, coffee, wine, beer, bookstores, and bridges - everything you could hope for. It was sunny all four days we were there, not typical Oregon weather, but we appreciated it.

London, England [November 2007]

The final week of my sabbatical was spent in London, England. London is a home away from home in many ways as it is full of familiar places and holds some of life's most memorable moments. I visited St. Paul's Cathedral for the first time and the Tate Modern, both magnificent.

Sunset Beach, North Carolina Charleston, S.C. [July 2007]

Sunset Beach has been a Hall family summer destination for decades. This years' beach vacation included a special 80th birthday celebration for John Hall Sr.We took a day trip to Charleston, which in spite of walking for hours in 100+ degree weather is beautiful city with amazing food.