adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

This time 6 years ago we said #ido It’s been an awesome journey full of #adventures We started as 2 families and grew into quite the large group....6 kids & spouses, and 9 beautiful grandchildren. There is never a dull moment. We have traveled to 35 countries and met some great friends along the way. We are both #thankful for all of our family and friends. We look forward to what the next year brings us, hoping that travel resumes and we can see our friends #acrossthepond Here’s to celebrating 🥳 another year of #love ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ #adventuresofbeatleandleslie #happyanniversary❤️ #truelove #ourlife #traveltheworld #travelblogger #travelwithus #followusoninstagram #adventureawaits (at Reisterstown, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjG-AUhv_P/?igshid=4e26o4umqpui

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

Besides being a beautiful #beachday it’s just wonderful to be near the ocean and listen to the soothing waves. I have been coming to @oceancitymaryland since I was born. I remember staying at Bobby Baker’s Carousel Hotel and my parents being annoyed by the loud musing being played in the lounge. Next day we moved to another hotel. Shortly after that, they purchased a place at the Windjammer on 46th street. Directly across the street was the red barn originally known as Josh’s which later became @originalfracturedprune #oceancitymd has always been my happy place. So thankfully, I get to spend a lot of time here with @beatle41 and @jmucha2 I hope the @ocpdmdinfo ci ti yes to keep things under control in our #beachtowns 🏖 🎡 ⛱ 🏄🏼‍♀️ #beachlife #beachday #beaches #beach #daydreaming💭 #atlanticocean #waves #sunshine #beachretreat #ocmd #oceancitymaryland #oceancitymd #adventuresofbeatleandleslie #followouradventures #followus #travelwithus #traveltheworld #travelblogger #traveling https://www.instagram.com/p/CCY3RqFhaNg/?igshid=48bg22mdxdda

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

Our adventures have been few and far between this year, but we are finally off for a quick family #vacation to @oceancitymaryland We are excited to share our #beach with my son-in-law’s parents from #lousiana We are fortunate to be able to travel anywhere at his point. 😎 . . . . #summer #summervibes #summertime #summer2020 #covidsummer #covidusa #socialdistancing #socialdistancing2020 #localtravel #closetohome #oceancitymaryland #ocmd (at Chesapeake Bay~Annapolis, MD) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCYWcIph7qq/?igshid=12zrgxegp943x

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

The early days.... @baltocountyfireems @beatle41 @harrycohen41 @bradreter @reisterstownvfc #baltimorecountyfiredepartment #firedepartment #paramedic #careerfirefighter https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0wniulfS3/?igshid=123ykndjymomk

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

New beginnings…. Shortly after moving to #reisterstown , Craig made his way to @reisterstownvfc He would ride his bike each day from his house to the post office to get the mail. On his way there, he would pass the #firehouse where the guys would be hanging out and playing Ping-Pong. Of course, his curiosity got the best of him, so he decided to stop in and see what was going on there. The rest they say..is history! Craig joined the scout program there at the age of 16. In 1970, when he turned 18, he was admitted as a member. This was the beginning of his love for the #fireservice Jim Eline, who was a senior member at the time, hired Craig to work at his funeral home business and was the person to give Craig his nickname of Beatle. Why Beatle? Well, he is not really sure about the why, however, he was given the name based on the cartoon character #beatlebailey To this day, most everyone in the fire service in the state of #maryland , knows Craig as Beatle. In 1975, @beatle41 made his way into the @baltocountyfireems career service where he proudly served for the next several years. During his time with Baltimore County, he had a life changing incident that ended his career. That did not stop him though. He went on to serve @maryland.state for the next 24 years working for @maryland_ems before returning to Baltimore County. In July of 2020, Beatle will be celebrating his 50th year with the #volunteer service in The Baltimore County Volunteer Fireman’s Association. Over those decades he has served as the Fire Chief & President for #rvfc , as well as the @MSFA and BCVFA. To this day, he is still an integral part of the Fire Service. If you happen to see Beatle around town, make sure you thank him for his dedication and commitment to the citizens of #baltimorecounty #adventuresofbeatleandleslie #fireservice #volunteerfirefighter #firefighter #paramedic #ourstory #followus #followouradventures #followourtravels #travelwithus #traveltheworld #traveltheglobe #traveltheworldwithus (at Reisterstown, Maryland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CA0tX3_FPk1/?igshid=qadi8ebzkrxr

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

Ten years later.....

In 1962 the first Walmart opens in Roger’s, Arkansas and the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson debuts. This was also the year of The Cuban Missile Crisis and the first concert for the Rolling Stones. It was during this time when Richard and Suzanne Metz welcome me, Leslie Ellen Metz into the world…September 24, 1962. 

I am the oldest of three, with my sister Lynn and brother Larry.  Let’s just say I have all the typical traits of an “oldest child.” As my father once told Craig, “watch out, she’s the bossy one.” I prefer to think of it as being a leader.

We grew up in suburbs of Baltimore in Catonsville, Maryland. It was a great place to grow up.  There were a ton of kids in the neighborhood, many of which I am still friends with today. We spent our time riding bikes and roller skates, having dance recitals in the neighbor’s backyard and having block parties with the neighbors. While we didn’t have streetlights to tell us when to head home, we had my mother who could whistle loud enough for the entire neighborhood to know it was time to go home.

I was not much of a team sport player.  I started swimming and playing tennis at an early age and continued with both of those through college.  Outside of babysitting, my first job was teaching swimming lessons at a day camp and later working at a tennis club so I could play for free.  Although playing tennis ended in college, I have spent the last 40 years involved in swimming in some way.

To say that I am a bit of a free spirit is probably and understatement.  I started my love for travel in High School when I got involved in AFS (American Field Service).  This high school exchange program opened my eyes to other cultures and travel.  Since then, I have had a major case of wanderlust. I have been a host family to 9 students and to this day, still keep in touch with each and every one.  

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

And so it begins.... 1952 was big year. Queen Elizabeth II was coronated, Rocky Marciano becomes the #heavyweightchampion, Mr. Potato Head makes his debut. Sometime in late 1951, Virginia Lee Coleman thought she had the flu... nine months later, July 16, 1952, Virginia Lee and Earle were blessed with a bouncing baby boy....Craig Earle Coleman. He is the youngest of three, with older brother Terry and big sister Sandy. www.tumble.com/blog/adventuresofbeatleandleslie https://www.instagram.com/p/CAV2J0Ag7jn/?igshid=1x45v5fe0fuxm

[adventuresofbeatleandleslie-blog]

In the beginning...

And so it begins....

1952 was big year.  Queen Elizabeth II was coronated, Rocky Marciano becomes the #heavyweightchampion, Mr. Potato Head makes his debut.  

Sometime in late 1951, Virginia Lee Coleman thought she had the flu... nine months later, July 16, 1952, Virginia Lee and Earle were blessed with a bouncing baby boy....Craig Earle Coleman.  He is the youngest of three, with older brother Terry and big sister Sandy.  

Life was good in the 1950’s for a kid growing up on the westside of @baltimorecity.  Craig went to Lyndhurst School #88 and was quite happy when the school day was over.  What was it like back then? You rode bikes, played ball and did kid things. There were no video games, no cell phones and TV was a luxury for most.  If you were bored, your parents would find things for you to do.  Consequently, boredom was not an issue.  You knew it was time to go home when the #streetlights came on.  

It was a big deal to live near @EdmonsonVillage which was home to the first shopping center in the United States. There was always a lot of activity and provided many opportunities for a young entrepreneur.  Craig had a multitude of jobs at an early age. Most noteworthy was his job as a #pinsetter at the local bowling alley and one of the shortest careers in Craig’s history. Once the balls started rolling down the alley and the pins started falling, he was out of there!  It didn’t help that the kids bowling thought it was funny to hit the “pinsetter”.  Just a hop-skip-and-jump away, Craig found that carrying groceries at the Food Fair for the ladies was much more profitable. A smile and those #dimples meant lots of tips!

In the 1960’s, life was moving away from the cities and into the suburbs. In 1967 the Coleman’s moved to #Reisterstown Maryland.  Suburbia proved to be great for Craig giving him one of the biggest opportunities that would chart his course for the future.  Can you guess what that was?