September Happenings

No matter how good my intent is to keep current on this blog, I am always behind!  We are just too busy living life and having fun!

A good part of September was spent catching up with family and friends.  We had one last “hoorah” at our NC home base before we started our fall travels.

I was ecstatic that my daughter, Ashleigh, could join in.  I didn’t think that I would get to see her again before Christmas.

Ashleigh, Brandon, and Amanda

Dan and Kork laughing it up

Fun times

We enjoyed a great dinner and laughed until we cried.  It was a fantastic evening.

I got to see my parents twice….once over Labor Day weekend by myself and then Dan and I went to Cedar Point Campground which is very close to their home.  It was a mix of work and fun. Dan helped with a few maintenance chores and I was tasked with a beautification project.  Mom had bought some more plants for her flower garden and I planted them for her, weeded, and trimmed.

But, it wasn’t all work.  We had plenty of time for fun.

Dad and Mom

Mom and I enjoying Chocolate Lab wine.

Mom and I had a girl’s day out in Swansboro and Morehead City.  It was great spending time just the two of us.  One day, Dan, Mom and I set out for Bear Island.  We caught the ferry at Hammocks Beach State Park.  It was a glorious day

View from the ferry landing at Hammocks Beach State Park

Dan, Mom, and I

I love, I mean love the beach!

Mom and I

Pelicans flying

Nice boardwalk and covered picnic areas

Peaceful

It was time for us to hitch up and head a bit further south.  We were going to spend time with my sister Cathy and her husband Bruce.  Unfortunately we couldn’t get into Buck Hall Recreation Area so we stayed at the Mt Pleasant KOA.  It s definitely not our first choice of campgrounds but it fit our purpose for this visit.

We always have such a good time with Cathy and Bruce and this visit was no exception.  We had to work around the weather but we didn’t let that stop us from having fun.  We were able to fit in a 15 mile bike ride on Daniel Island (no pictures as I didn’t bring my camera due to the imminent rain!), saw my niece Ciara and met her boyfriend Bryan, shopped for new Merrell’s for Dan, enjoyed one heckuva great meal out at Page’s Okra Grill, learned a new game called Molkky,  and spent the day boating.   Yes, we were bone tired after the weekend!  

Bruce and Cathy setting up Molkky

Molkky is a Finnish throwing game, similar to bowling, but with a dowel that you throw.   It’s a combination of skill and luck and quite addictive.

Dan's turn!

Dan and Bruce are already scheming on how to make the game pieces instead of buying it.

Sunday turned out to be a picture perfect day to be on the water.  We put the boat in at Remley’s Point on the Wando River.  We were on the water by 9:30.

Captain Bruce and his first mate, Cathy

Ravenel Bridge

We saw sooo many dolphins.  I don’t think that Cathy or I could ever tire of seeing them.

We stopped by an isand to eat lunch and play Molkky.  Dolphins were coming right up to where the waves were breaking.  It was very cool to watch.

Enjoying the day

Bruce casting for bait

Only catch of the day...a baby shark

Dan and I - Shem Creek

Clowning around and having fun

Sisters first; forever friends

When we were coming off of the water at 5:30, we saw two Bald Eagles flying.  A perfect way to end our day!  Our time with Cathy and Bruce ended way too soon.  But, we know we will see them in a few months!  Thanks guys for an awesome weekend!

Our next stop....Hunting Island State Park.

Where did August go?

Time flies when you are having fun!  It seems like just yesterday we were at Stony Fork Campground (a Federal campground in the Jefferson National Forest) near Wytheville, VA.  We had grand plans to do some biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail and New River Trail.  We were also pleasantly surprised to see a great hiking trail…..Seven Sisters….that went thru the campground.  However, we were socked in for 5 days with rain, rain and even more rain. Although we weren’t able to do bike or hike due to the weather (yes, it was that rainy!), we were able to walk the campground trail (as well as the campground loop multiple times) in between showers…..

Our site

Is that a bear in the tree?  

 No, it was just a growth on a tree but it did make Dan, Syl, and I stop in our tracks.

The creek was full by the time we left!

We would definitely come back to the area as we really want to bike in this part of Virginia.

Normally we wouldn't have headed back to NC this early but we had a mission to be back in the area in time for my 50th birthday celebration.

We had quite a gang at “The Rock” at Fall’s Lake Rollingview Campground….

Taking over the campground!

The weekend was filled with laughter (and tons of it!), fun, food, friends, framily, and family!

My sisters Cathy and Barbara.
No we didn't plan to dress alike!  

My crazy BIL, Bruce (he belongs to Cathy).

Me and my fristers enjoying grilled pizza.

Birthday balloons!

Each morning, I would go to “The Rock” for my peaceful time…..sometimes I had it……

Other times, no so much!

Brandon, Amanda, Barbara, Cathy, Bruce (hidden) and Dan

Despite the hot temperature, some of us set out for a hike….

No, son, you shouldn't try to jump across the creek!

Bruce filming our adventures with his "Go Pro"

Our advertisement for Merrell hiking shoes!

Bruce, Cathy, Amanda, Barbara, Syl, Dan, Tricia, Brandon

Blue day - poor Cathy didn't get the memo!

Headed back to the campground

 This is never good to see in front of your site!

We almost had to call for bail money!  Just kidding!  We had an incident with the campers next to us (all underage girls) and had to get the ranger involved.  The ranger talked to the girls and said he put the fear of God in them.  We didn’t have any more issues the rest of the weekend…..although their actions prevented us from swimming at “The Rock” due to possible human pollution.  Ewwwwww.  ‘Nuff said.

It was great seeing both of my kids and my DIL

Brandon playing in Ashleigh's hammock.

Ashleigh enjoying kayaking

When she got too hot, she jumped in the water to cool off.

Ashleigh, Amanda, and Brandon

Brandon was excited to use his hatchet!

Brother and sister acting goofy.

A mother's love

Jenga!

DIL, Mom/MIL, Daughter

More fun and laughter…..

Hanging out

Dinnertime! 

Wonder why Gin looks soooo guilty?

Laughter!

Group photo - Linda goosed me!

Ice cream cake!  Yum!

Kork and I

My frsters - Syl and Gin

Bruce performing his "special" dance for me. 

Linda and I...aka Thelma and Louise

Cathy on fire

It was a great weekend and a wonderful celebration!  Thank you all for everything that you did to make the weekend so much fun!!!!!  I appreciate it very much.

We are now back at our NC “home base” and have been keeping busy catching up with family and friends.
Brandon and I moved Ashleigh into her own apartment for her senior year at UNC-W.   Brandon and Amanda have joined us for dinner a few times.  Linda and I have had several girl’s nights out (and another beach trip is coming up!).  One afternoon, Kork and I helped Amanda get her classroom ready for the new school year.  We’ve also enjoyed several outings including one with her sweet, sweet mother.  My sister Elaine and I enjoyed shopping and lunch out one day.   Dan’s been working on several projects that keep him running from morning to night.  And, we managed to sneak in a surprise.  

Since we will not be with family or friends next month when Dan’s birthday rolls around, I had a surprise party for him one month early!  I made a big pan of lasagna (his favorite) and boston cream cake for dessert.
Boy - was he surprised!

Party favors for everyone!

Happy (early) Birthday, Dan!
Don and Sara (Kork's parents), Dan, Gin
Tricia, Kork, Amanda, Brandon, Syl

The evening's entertainment by Brandon....catching bugs with the zapper.

Amanda and Kork enjoying the swing. 

It’s been a fantastic month!