July Trip

Photo here was shot in a local Apex restaurant. I love the atmosphere of the place (& the food). Since July 4th is around the corner, I decided to share this creative American flag piece of artwork made from softballs--American all around:)

Our family's planning a Pa. trip again this 4th.

I'm excited. I can't think of much more I enjoy than traveling & visiting the Mc Clan with my clan:) Kelley will not be able to go, so that is a big negative:( But hopefully she'll have fun doing her artistic thing in her sweet bungalow while we're gone.

Since Skye's interning in Ky. this summer we're planning to rendezvous with her in Wytheville, Va. A friend of friends has agreed to let her park her car at their home while she travels with us.

Last year over the 4th we traveled to Pa. also, minus Seth & Kelley (who were visiting best buds in Fla.), so it'll be nice to have Seth along this year. Since Keith's mom & dad are 90 & 88, we NEED to make extra trips to visit them. And we've found being in Pittsburgh during the BIG weekend is so cool:)

Keith's mom's family, the Brown's, have a July 4th family picnic where we get to catch up with many of the McFarland/Brown relatives:)

An annual car show in Keith's home town of New Castle the same weekend brings together hundreds of fans, including cousins, who drive their prized cars downtown & park them to be inspected & admired. Keith & I have been once before & hope to go again this year.

We'll visit Mom & Dad who live right in the middle of Pittsburgh as often as we can. We never stay too long--it's tiring for everyone in a place that's a beehive of activity. Mom has moved into her own apartment in the same facility since Christmas, so it'll be interesting to see her "new" place.

Last year Keith, Cameron, Skye, & I watched fireworks up "close & personal" along the Ohio River in Pittsburgh. The skyline is beautiful & the display was spectacular:) Hope to do that again:)

A change this trip; we're staying at a motel between Keith's sister's house in Beaver Falls & his parents in Pittsburgh. We have no idea how it will be, but thought we'd try it. In the last 4 years since Mom & Dad moved to the retirement home in the city, Keith's sister has graciously found friends who open their homes to us while they are away on vacation. It's been such a blessing & we've been so grateful, but, not always ideal for everybody.

At this point we're contemplating whether to take one car or two. One car is small for 5 adults, even Cameron's Subaru, but two cars seems too much?? Just not sure. (And Skye's Neon is not one that should go!)

Praying our days spent together will bring sweet times & precious memories:)

Thank you LORD for life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness:)

God bless America:)

A Memorial Day Trip

Early Thursday afternoon, May 27th, Keith & I packed up the Cruiser, loaded up our bikes, & headed to the Virginia mountains. We planned to bike the New River Rail Trail, then travel west to bike the Guest River Gorge Trail--three days of sightseeing in the scenic area of Virginia just north of the NC line.

We'd made reservations at the Hillsville Hampton Inn for the first night. A nice motel right along Interstate 77. After unpacking, we ate supper at a local restaurant next door. Sad to say the country cooking was mediocre:(

After returning to our room, thunderstorms rolled in & the rain poured for hours.

Friday morning after breakfast, the rain began again. Our New River bike ride was out. But, we decided to scout out the trail where we would have started. It was quite isolated. I'm not sure I would have felt safe if we had been able to ride. Still, the countryside was pretty. So, under gray, wet skies, we began zig zagging through the mountains to Abingdon, Virginia, two hours away. (We even rode right by the Creeper Trail, where we've ridden three previous trips:))

After arriving we had a quick lunch & toured Abingdon. It is a pretty historic town of brick buildings & homes, typical of older Virginia towns. We toured a Craft Center, then stopped by an Arts & Crafts shop run by local artists. Met a friendly lady who was very warm & helpful:) Also saw some lovely art pieces & bought a few pretty things:)

Ate supper at the local Crackerbarrel, a delicious change from our previous evening's meal:) Sometimes there's something to be said about a dependable chain restaurant, & this was one of those times:)

Spent the night at our second Hampton Inn, even nicer than the first, since Keith had surprised me by upgrading our room to one with a whirlpool:) That jacuzzi really felt great, even after only sight-seeing all day.

Saturday dawned sunny & bright, a great biking day:)

Headed west to find our next trail, about an hour away. Guest River Gorge trail is isolated as well, but there was a parking lot, restrooms, & 5 or 6 cars, all good signs for me:) (The photo above is near the beginning of the path)

Keith & I aren't in very good physical shape this year since we haven't ridden much, so we knew we wouldn't go the entire length of the 5 mile trail, because we'd have to "climb" back out. But the scenery was worth seeing. After going through a tunnel, the trail crossed over the river via a bridge, then followed along the water the two miles we traveled; beautiful cliffs on one side, lots of shade trees, & the swift running water cascading over huge boulders...

We probably met 4 or 5 people/groups along the way.

After finishing our ride & returning to the Cruiser, we turned west again, toward Natural Tunnel State Park. Another winding road trip:) Along the way we rounded a rise between mountains, & were totally surprised to see a HUGE hybrid power plant spread throughout the entire little valley!! It was enormous! Shocking in the middle of nowhere.

By early afternoon we found Natural Tunnel State Park & checked out the tunnel from an overlook. It was a steep, sharp, drop-off to the "floor" & the tunnel, so Keith took a number of photos from the overlook. We both decided against riding the cable cars to the bottom. My height phobia had kicked in big time:(

Must say the park itself is pretty--very tall shady trees, has a pool, & the campsites were full, a good sign people enjoy the area.

After finding a McDonald's in a nearby town, we ate lunch, then began our trek back to Abingdon.

On the way Keith didn't feel great, & by the time we returned to our motel, he was feeling pretty crummy:( Which lasted the rest of the evening & all night:(

Not a good memory, especially on vacation.

We suspect food poisoning--yuck:(

But, by Sunday morning he felt like he could ride, so we set off for home by 9am. Our return route took us by Wytheville, then on to I77 again, & NC. I'm sure he was ready to get home--I felt like he was flying through those mountains!

We arrived in Apex by 1:30. We had made good time.

Cameron helped us unload the bikes & bring in the luggage---conveniently he & Holly were at the house, taking care of Wyatt, when we drove in.

A strange trip. It had it's good times. We loved being in the mountains. Our lodgings were excellent:) Our bike ride was gorgeous.

But sometimes it rains, &, no one likes to be sick away from home:(

Thankfully, we made it home safe & sound, & Keith felt good enough by Sunday evening to do sound for the McKee Musical Concert (photo above). A great way to END a strange trip on Memorial Day Weekend:)

Whew:)