Bring in the new Year

Brazos Bend State Park was a great place to join friends to ring in 2011! Here's the Wonder Egg basking in the glow of an Original Campfire in a Can, a new camping accessory.


Oscar enjoyed biking with the kids and hanging out relaxing after a strenuous ride.


He was also able to get in his fair share of cuddling, his favorite thing!


The crowd enjoyed a tailgate party and savored some award winning Hot Rod Chili . . . YUM!


And then there was the Cajun Jambalaya feast . . .


The rest of January was time to hang with the grandkids a bit. Looking forward to taking them campin'!

Home Again

As I drove us back into our driveway, Pete made the Sign of the Cross and whispered thanks "That the crazy little dog didn't get us into any accidents." His lack of faith in my driving skills is a bit annoying. We covered 5176 miles this time out without incident, which is more than I can say for HIS driving. Sheesh!


We're hanging around here for the Christmas holidays, catching up on all the changes in the grandkid department. Here's Pete with his oldest and youngest grandkids, Sparrow and Eliot. I actually think it's pretty cool having a nephew I can see eye to eye with!


We had the twins and their folks over for dinner so Pete could try our his new smoker. Those two learned how to walk while we were out! Now I've really gotta keep an eye out for them. Santa's gonna bring them a new little brother or sister next June. What is he thinking?!? Then I'll have five little 2-leggers to look out for at family gatherings. AAAUUUGGGHHH!!!!!!!

Kolomoki Mounds State Park

In the mood for relaxing scenery, a bit of fishing, and walking amongst an ancient civilization all rolled into one? Then I'd suggest you head for Kolomoki Mounds State Park on the southwest corner of Georgia.

Kolomoki Lake


Eight remaining mounds built sometime between 250 and 950 AD by the Swift Creek and Weeden Island Indians make for an interesting journey back in time. The burial mound in the foreground is 20 feet high and was found to contain 77 burials along with numerous items of pottery. In the far distance, the Temple Mound rises 65 feet and has a base the size of a football field.

An interesting museum is built around the site of another burial mound excavation where you can view the scene as discovered by archeologists in the 1940's. The four skeletons seen here are representations of the actual ones, which were respectfully interred elsewhere within the burial mound.

Oscar and I sat around the campfire in the evening, listening to ceremonial drums an chants echoing across the lake and pondering the march of time . . .

Bentgate B&B

As you slide down the Appalachians and cross westward through the Cumberland Gap, keep your eyes peeled for some unusual critters. You just might spot some through and old fence . . .

Keep heading west. Just south of the Daniel Boone National Forest is the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Nestled on the edge of the recreation area is the Bentgate Bed and Breakfast, a world class stopover for the weary traveler with the finest steak dinners east of the Mississippi.

If your timing is just right, you may be lucky enough to enjoy a most unique presentation of local history. Rugby's Lantern Tour at the Laurel Dale Cemetery has actors at gravesites in authentic period costumes telling stories in the first person narrative. All of their information comes from original source material, handwritten letters or news clippings, providing a real sense of life in Rugby during the 1880s. Hauntingly unique . . .

If you should pass through Crossville, TN be on the lookout for one of the many beaver statues hanging out dressed in costume like this feller, here!

A trip to Stearns allows you to visit the Blue Heron Mine, a historic representation of what life was like for the young and old living in the mining camp and owing their souls to the company store.

Feel your blood pressure drop as you gaze beyond the orchid out the kitchen window.

Oscar's fondest memories of Bentgate are all about squirrel hunting in the living room. He gets all starry eyed just thinking about it!

SHANTIVANAM!

Sanskrit for "Forest of Peace", Shantivanum certainly lives up to its name. Situated in the woods of southern Pennsylvania, this wonderful retreat beckons to those who may live in the world of The Hectic and invites them to come, relax by the fire, listen to the sounds of nature and feel the blood pressure go down ... aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh ... that's just right!


I took a meandering walk through the woods to and overlook and saw the fall colors splashed on the hillsides.


Hung out with my sister, Michele, her dogs Luna & Duke and her husband, Jim, who's behind the camera.


Oscar declined the long walk, claiming his itty-bitty legs would just get too tuckered out. I think he had a serious nap by the fireplace in mind. Ya think?