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| Pickin' in the Pines |
It has been a very full season despite some cancellations due to weather and a cold. I estimate I've driven the intrepid gal 13,000 miles this summer. While the scenery afar has been lovely, the best part of any of the trips has been the company of family and friends. And this very special season ended with two very special trips.
My son works for the Millstone 4H Camp and Conference Center in Ellerbe, NC. I cannot tell you how important 4H was to both my children, both in terms of developing their skills and interests, and in developing their work ethic and character. It was like having an army of parenting support after their dad died. My gregarious son has friends across the state from his 4H
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| Chatham Rabbits |
involvement and continues contact with many of those good folks through his employment, first at the Betsy Jeff Penn Center, and now at Millstone. It's like one big statewide family. So, of course, I was glad to buy a ticket to Millstone's annual fundraiser for camp scholarships, Pickin' in the Pines. Mark your calendar for the third Saturday in October. Your ticket gets you a meal of the best BBQ I have ever had, as much craft beer as you care to consume, and three hours of local bluegrass from a variety of groups including, this year, the Chatham Rabbits. And if you don't care to make the drive home, you can rent a cabin and stay over. As Ben is the property manager, he wrangled me an RV site. The event is typically outdoor, but rain threatened so it was moved indoors and under tents.
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| Hungry Mother Park Creekside Entrance |
Ben spent the afternoon hanging lights to cheer up the place against a very overcast sky. Turns out, the rain was light and spirits were high and they made enough to send a passel of kids to camp.
My last trip of the year was to Hungry Mother state park in Virginia with my friend, Cathy Holt. We took the boats, hoping to paddle despite knowing that the lake would be lowered for bridge repairs and the weekend promised rain. We've had such crazy weather here, there's not been much color. Virginia more than made up for it. At the last minute, Ben and Sydney chose to join us. We ate well, walked the glorious woods, and ambled home early when high winds threatened. We managed a good visit, though, and
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| Cathy trying my walking sticks |
enjoyed a "found" day of quiet at home on Sunday. So I leave you until next spring with the pictures below. Have a cozy winter, wonderful holidays, and hopeful new year! See you on the road in 2020! (as always, click on any picture to enlarge it)
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| Deep woods |
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| Old friends are the best |
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| On the lake loop trail |
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| All together |
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| Our neighbor's "pet" |
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| Happy Cathy! |
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| Peace on earth |
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| Hungry Mother Lake from the beach |
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| Fall pallet |
