Spruce Pine - Aug 25 to September 15

Spruce Pine - Aug 25 to Sept 15

 

This has been the longest visit to our Mountain Home since we moved to Beaufort in 2001.  It has been great.  We've had time to do a lot of long delayed little maintenance items, get the yard in good shape, and enjoy all the things (and people) that have endeared us to the area.

 

The weather has been beautiful almost the entire time we've been here.  The nights have been in the 50's for the most part and the days have been pleasantly warm.  The visibility has been unusually good, and we've awakened many mornings looking over clouds in the valley.  

  

During the first week, we decided to exercise the RV.  We drove over Roan Mountain to the Roan Mountain State Park in Tenn.  This was our first experience driving the RV in truly mountainous terrain.  We gained renewed confidence in the ability to maneuver it on the tight curves and steep

grades.

 

We parked the RV near a stream - Clara enjoyed reading.  I did my first true mountain bike ride in years. 

It seems that almost every evening during our stay has been filled with some event.  During this visit we:

 

• Attended the "Jubilee Jam" at the Burnsville Community Theater
• Saw the Play "The Story of Two Charlies" by Jo Carson at the Orchard
• Attended a great performance at The Carolina Barn Dance Theater featuring Kat Williams
• Participated in the Orchards annual Labor Day Cover Dish Lunch
• Ate at "The Tin Lizard", a new restaurant in downtown Spruce Pine for "Danny Turns Two", Sunday's invitation only dinner, before the Kat Williams Concert, and another special event.
• Had a group of friends over for dinner.
• Ate at the "Taste of Blue Ridge" fundraiser for Mitchell County United Way
• Had dinner with neighbors at Bill's home

 

Had dinner with Sonny and Barbara

We did a lot around the house:

• Reseed and fertilize the yard
• Put some rocks in one of the planting areas
• Pulled weeds, roundup,  and trimmed a lot of overgrown bushes
• Had new vents installed for the dryer and central vacuum
• Put up new beadboard paneling going down to the basement
• Bought a new 37" TV
• Washed the RV

Bill and Jan came over and spent a weekend.  It was great to visit with friends again.  While they were here, we took the RV and drove to Rolf Holmquist's studio.  We had met Rolf and his wife at one of the dinner's at the Tin Lizard.  His home is located on a narrow, unpaved, single track road and it was a little tight for the RV, but worked.

 

We leave here to go to Cary to spend a few days with Anna and Evan as Slade and Candace take off on a 3 day mission with their church.

 

Joe and Dave at Cape Lookout

September 22 - 24

On Tuesday, Joe uses his new seat (bosun's chair) that he built so we don't have to go up the mast in a very uncomfortable harness to replace the wind speed transmitter at the top of the mast. 

Wednesday, we leave the dock around 2:30 and have a very nice sail out to the Cape.  Nice winds out of the South 15 knots.  We have several maintenance items to work on this trip.  After anchoring we start to work.  removing the broken track for the entrance sliding top and decide to save the rest of the work for tomorrow.

Thursday morning we get to work - first on the track, then replacing the "stops" that hold the hatch open for the v-berth.  Afterwards, I get to try out the new bosun's chair to go up the mast and install wind indicators on the new main sail. 

After finishing the work, Joe tries out his new dive equipment, but the tide is running to strong to be able to do anything so we both swim to shore and walk for a while on the beach.  After swimming back to the boat, Joe dives for a while.  Then we go for a couple hours of great sailing.

The evening we are treated to a beautiful moonrise over the Cape Lookout lighthouse.

Evan and Anna go to the Mountain House

October 1 - 9, 2010

Evan and Anna are on "track out" in their year-round school.  We pick them up from school on Friday and head to the mountains.

Anna is now 9 and Evan 7.  They are both beautiful children and seem to grow (and change) before our eyes.  We enjoy every minute with them and try to make sure that they get to enjoy "Mimi and Papa" as much as we enjoy them.

Saturday, our first trip it to The Orchard - our favorite place.  We listen to some music, but more important, we pick apples from the trees.  Anna slips on an apple on the ground and turns her ankle, cutting short our apple picking.  By the time we get home with some TLC, the ankle has healed.

Sunday we decide to ride around with no particular destination in mind - just enjoying the mountains.  We end up at Linville Falls for a fun afternoon of hiking and enjoying the beauty. 

Tuesday, we head out in "Nellie, the Rolling Turtle" for a couple of days camping in the RV.  The kids really enjoy riding and staying in the RV, and we get to do some things that we don't take the time to enjoy with them ordinarily - like playing canasta.  They both grasp the concept of the game very well.  The girls play the guys - the guys win of course. 

We had earlier checked out the campgrounds in the area and are headed for one on the Toe River that we saw during our early visit, but on the way we saw a sign for the "Toe River Campground" which we had not remembered.  We decide to check it out and it turns out to be the perfect choice.  It is owned by Yancey County and is well maintained - but most importantly, no one else is there and we get "the" choice site right in the bend of the river and a few feet from it. 

We had taken enough fire wood that we could have a fire every day.  We roasted hot dogs and s'mores just about every meal.  We wandered around the campground and the kids played on the playground - using up some of the energy. 

We have a most beautiful spot and everyone enjoys playing on the rocks and walking in the river.

We spent two nights in the RV, then drove the 12 miles back home.  This type of trip with the kids makes the RV worthwhile.

Friday, we take them "mining" at Gem Mountain - which has become a regular event.  They always find beautiful polished stones in their bucket, along with rubies this time.

Saturday, it's back home for the kids and back to Beaufort for us.