Saluda Girls

   On the first weekend in May, a group of women gather together in Saluda, NC for the  weekend.  We have been doing this for 20 years now.  It started out as stay at home moms wanting a break.  My friend Millie's in-laws had a summer home in Saluda.  It started as 5 or 6 of us in 1992.  Mainly we shopped, talked and ate.  Over the years it's grown into so much more.  Our numbers have grown and we have all gotten older.  Our kids have flown- some really far away and we all have aging parents to care for.  I have moved away, so for me it's a homecoming each year to catch up with my friends that I miss so much. Millie and David own the Saluda house now and they care for it as the family heirloom that it is.  The house has been in the family for 4 generations and it was built as a summer house to escape the heat of Cuba. Thanks to Millie and David, it is still serving as a wonderful escape.  It welcomes you with a large porch, old trees, lots of beds and games and wonderful memories.  Going to Saluda is like having a warm quilt of love draped around your shoulders.  These are friends that you can be yourself with and confess everything.  They are never shocked and they even still like you.  I always learn something new at Saluda.  This year for the 20th anniversary we did a winery tour.  It was really fun and we think we've found a driver for future adventures too.  There were 13 of us there this year from GA, KY, TN and DC.   I feel so fortunate to be part of this group.