Activerain members in 2006-2008 were pioneers in the early days of real estate blogging, and we developed a strong kinship by learning together and actively helping each other figure out the "how-to's" of this new world. Many of us have remained close, even after spreading our wings beyond Activerain.
It's been nearly two years since Jesse Clifton posted his last blog to Activerain, Fairbanks Gardening - Ann's Greenhouse. His blog introduced us to the beauty of Alaska year-round through his wonderful photos and reminded us all that there's more to life in Alaska than ice and cold. Yes, Alaskans buy and sell homes, go to Farmers' Markets in the summer, send their kids to school, and love where they live - kinda like people in other parts of our beautiful country.
A lot has happened since that last blog post - Jesse lost his partner and wife of 33 years to cancer, left real estate and the Alaska he shared with so many of us through his blogging, and set out on the adventures that he and Kathy had planned for their retirement years. Since then, he has stayed in touch with Activerain friends through Facebook, and we've followed his cross-country travels vicariously as he's met with Activerainers at nearly every stop.
Jesse traveled through Maryland yesterday, en route between North Carolina and Pennsylvania, and we had a mini-meetup of Activerainers from the early years. Pat Kennedy came from D.C., Audrey June-Forshey came with her assistant from Montgomery County, Maryland, and we all had a great time talking about everything from Jesse's travels to real estate and our early Activerain experiences. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to enjoy crab cakes on the deck at Carroll's Creek Cafe in Eastport, overlooking the U.S. Naval Academy and Historic Annapolis.
If you're new to Activerain and you're still not sure what the big deal is, you'll find that the comraderie of Activerain members is an unexpected bonus to any business that develops through blogging. Whenever two blogging buddies meet for the first time, there are lots of hugs, smiles, and group photos. Strangers witnessing this would think we're long lost relatives, and seriously... I feel a greater kinship with some of my Activerain friends than anyone I knew in high school or college and most of my extended family.
Jesse, thanks for stopping in Maryland yesterday. It was great to finally meet in person, and I just wish there had been time to hear more about your travel adventures. We'll see you on Facebook.
P.S. We'd love it if you would drop in to Activerain once in a while and perhaps share some photos and tales from your travels.
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