Back on the Mountain

Tues, Nov 4

An uneventful trip back to Spruce Pine - except for an interesting happening.

On the way through Burnsville, we got behind a red GMC SUV.  On the tag is APLE, and I knew this had to be Kit Truby.  Clara called Kit on the phone and told her we are behind you.  She said she saw this big old brown thing in her rear view mirror and thought that might be us.

She suggested we stop in Micaville at a new store that sells ice cream, so we did.  Quite a coincidence.

Clara and Kit enjoying ice cream after a coincidental meeting

As soon as we got settled in, I went down to the Y for a little workout.

Wed, Nov 5

Happy Birthday Clara.  I think she turned 39 today.

To celebrate, we met Kit, Bill and Judy at Mountain View for dinner.

Thurs, Nov 6

We met Bonnie and Will at DT's in downtown Spruce Pine for lunch.

Fri, Nov 7

The wind blew last night, reaching 68 mph as a cold front moved through. Anything less than 80 is okay.  And we didn't lose any shingles.

This morning there were a few flurries, but nothing of significance.

The "Kids" drove up from Raleigh - all four of them.  It is indeed a rare treat to have them with us "on the mountain".

And, of course, my blog is hijacked!!

After a REALLY long drive we finally got up to the mountains. (BTW- this is Anna, so the we is Mom, Dad, Evan, Sophie and me.) We got there just in time for a lovely sunset you can only find in the mountains.

Saturday, Nov 8

 We had a great morning, rotating between eating, playing, eating and more playing!

After lunch we went on the Crabtree Falls loop trail. Evan and I had to practice our extreme ninja moves on every tree, step and rock.

We got down to the waterfall and took zillions of pictures, but we really didn't mind cause it was GORGEOUS

OFFROADING!

 Evan and Dad kept on getting ahead of us so they decided to rest their poor little legs
.

YEESSSS! I GOT ANOTHER PICTURE OF PAPA ON THE BLOG!!! I TOOK THIS PICTURE AND IT LOOKS AMAZING!

We convinced Evan to get a picture with me as we tried climbing the rocks. Turns out it's a hard task.

Awww. We are so cute. Don't you agree?

Try to beat this scenery. Rocks, trees and a huge waterfall. Nope, no beating it.

Sunday, Nov 9

Hate to say it but we didn't take any pictures this morning so I'll just fill you in. We woke up and Mimi made the most amazing quiche. We ate it all. Papa finally got us to get ready and head to the orchard, I have to say, it was probably our best trip there yet. We drove around and picked some apples til Dad started throwing the rotten ones in a crate at the bottom of the hill. Soon Evan and I joined and Papa just kept on picking apples. Then Evan and I went to the bottom of the hill and had dad throw the apples at us. I tried to dodge them and Evan tried to catch them. Not his smartest move, I'm betting he'll have bruises some time in the next half hour.

Sophie

We always try to take a picture at "the tree" at the bottom of the mountain.

Unfortunately, Candace broke a toe and has to use crutches, and the kids thought the crutch should be considered part of the family.

Just a beautiful evening

Mon, Nov 10

Just chillin!

Tues, Nov 11

This afternoon, we rode up to Blowing Rock.  It wasn't planned, but we ended up buying our Christmas gift to each other.

A new water feature for the yard in Beaufort

Tonight, dinner at Will and Bonnie's.

Wed, Nov 12

Today we drove over to Asheville.  A group of friends from Clara's days at Memorial Mission Hospital got together for dinner and I had dinner with Bill and Jan at their home.

Bill and Jan will be meeting us in Florida in January (where, hopefully, it will be warm).  We start planning our trip.  Hopefully, we'll get together at Hilton Head on the way down.  And we may be chartering a boat in Ft Myers for a few days of cruising.

Thurs, Nov 13

Today, we head back to Beaufort.