On the Mountain (in the fog)

Aug 6 - 13

I decided it was time to go to the mountain again.  Clara couldn't come, so I'm spending a few days relaxing and doing absolutely what I want to, when I want to, and if I want to.

I left Beaufort around noon Wednesday headed West.  However, Anna found out I was going through Raleigh and called and told me I am spending the night with them.  No choices!  So I did.  We went out to the lake, the kids boarded and tubed and we had a nice time.

Thursday, I made my way slowly Westward, stopping at every RV sales center along the way.   For some reason, I think I need to trade RV's.  Probably not a good idea, but it was fun looking.

As I arrived late Thursday afternoon, I realized that the grass really needed mowing.  So after a couple of drinks, I mowed the lawn.

12 hours of sleep.  That's about what I'm averaging.  It's been cool - and rainy.  No air conditioning, windows open, cloud cover and fog so it's really dark at night - about the best sleeping conditions there are.

The mountain's in the clouds for a few days

Friday and Saturday I immerse myself in the Friends of Cape Lookout work.  I've been asked to serve as President of the non-profit support group for the Cape Lookout National Seashore.  However, after 8 years of existence with little leadership, the organization's paperwork is in shambles.  So I take it upon myself to collect, sort, and get it all organized and uploaded to a site that it will hopefully remain.

Friday evening I'm invited to Bonnie and Will's for pizza, which Kit brought.

Saturday is quiet and I probably didn't see more than 40 feet from the house.  It's been foggy and rainy all the time.

Sunday afternoon at The Orchard listening to good music and dinner Sunday evening with Bill, Judy and Kit

Music at The Orchard

Monday, it finally stops raining long enough for the grass to dry and I mow the lawn again.  It's growing like crazy.  Then again, I have the pleasure of dinner with Bill, Judy and Kit.

Tuesday, Bill had asked if I could assist him with audio and video at a program he is presenting on the Altapass Foundation at the Orchard.  Bill and Kit have essentially supported the Orchard financially (and physically) since its inception and now they know that in order to keep the Orchard alive in the future, there needs to be an endowment of $2 million created.  It's a worthy endeavor and I hope to be able to support it.

Tuesday evening, our new neighbors on the mountain, Jared and Lane have a small get together with some of their friends at their home and invite me over.

I had decided that I'd go back to Beaufort Wednesday, but in discussing it with Clara, she suggested that I not drive back Wednesday because I'll have to leave Thursday and drive back Westward to my Dads where I'll be taking care of him for a couple of day.  So, I decide to leave Thursday and go to Dads.

Just when the weather is clearing, I'm leaving.

However, on the way, I stop at Slades, have dinner with them and decide to spend the night.  Friday I drive to Dads.

Sail Camp, Part 2

Fri, Jul 25

This morning we got the new tube inflated and moved to Asitshdbe to do some testing and see how it worked.  It worked great according to Anna and Evan.

It worked AMAZING!

Evan makes the new tube fly

I was trying to keep my balance cause the boys decided that I was going to ride the tube until it flipped. Evan flew. Anna flipped.

Hangin' on with the tube upside down
GUESS WHO FLIPPED IT!

Photo skills! Creds to me.

A little Bowplow

They see us rolling... They hatin'

Then off the Sail Camp for the afternoon.  It didn't rain today, but the wind was rather light.  But the sailors had a great afternoon.

When the wind stopped blowing, everyone stopped on Carrot Island waiting for the breeze.

The Junior Opti's (first year), couldn't fight the wind and the tide, the the "mother hen pulls the chicks back upwind"

Unfortunately, there was a pretty significant collision that involved the boat that Anna and Evan was on.  A sailor on a Sunfish crashed into the side of their boat, resulting in quite a bit of damage to both boats.

Sat and Sun, Jul 26 and 27

Slade came down for the weekend to visit.  He was really stressed because it's the end of the fiscal year at Cisco and his team is very close to making their stretch goal for the year.  It's a big deal - meaning a nice bonus.   Late Saturday night all the numbers are all in - and he made it.

Sunday morning, we all went out on the Asitshdbe, some tubing and boarding.  Then he had to leave us and go back home.

Mon - Fri, July 28 - Aug 1

 AHHHHH! Legit wind and NO THUNDER!!!

 Hiking out looking awesome

 Tuesday Hunter and I gave Mills Twizzlers in order to sail together again.

 No we did not collide with this boat. Terrible picture Papa

 For Wednesday night free sail they had to load up each FJ cause that was the boat to be on.

Evan and his friends capsize during free sail.

IT'S GOING DOWN. THEY'RE YELLING TIMBER! YOU BETTER MOVE. YOU BETTER HIKE OUT!

Not Again~~~~!

Thursday was a special day.  Anna and Evan are paired and are sailing together.  From the comments of the instructors, they are amazed.  They are very reluctant to pair siblings because the usually don't get along well. But the are very impressed with this brother and sister and they have a great day sailing - together.

A great brother and sister sail team

We went all the way out into the channel and sailed the equivalent of sailing around on Carrot Island. We had a lot of tacking upwind which we have finally mastered.

No comments required~~~!

Notice the amazing sister doing all of the work as Evan lays there sunbathing.

Friday is Graduation Day from Sail Camp!!!

Buuuuuttttt Friday was another RAIN event.  And this time, it really rained. And Rained.  And Rained!

By the time the afternoon session should start, it was raining, and raining, and raining.  And it Rained too!

So, Sail Camp is over early.  No graduation.  Because it's raining.

Does rain make any difference?

In case you were wondering, yes we did go puddle jumping

The shirts tell the story

We had fun downtown in the tree with Madelyn

This brick is at the Gallants Channel Annex of the NC Maritime Museum.  It matches one that is located at the NC Aquarium.

This was not the face I made this was me telling Evan to scoot over. 

And finally we get to go kayaking

PAPA TAKES A SELFIE!!!

I feel silly, oh so silly, I feel silly and happy and BRRRIIIIGGGGHHHHTTTT!

Sunset pictures are always the best.