Father's Day at my Happy Place

We got to drive up to my happy place to spend time with my Father in Law.
It was so much fun, getting to see him, and relaxing in the Virginia Mountains.  I can't even began to explain how peaceful it is up there.  Everything is so beautiful and everyone is so nice.

My father in law is doing great with his recovery on his knee surgery.  He got around really good.  I see alot of my husband in him....they both don't like to be down.  Always gotta be doing something.  Ha!  But it was nice to hear his physical therapist say he was doing great and making improvements.

While we were there we got out and did a little site seeing.

                                       I love the Mountains.  And you see a lot of old barns.

            My father in law has 6 horses, and I think I counted 7 cats.  Lots of animals around to love on.

                                                               And they love the attention.

      Every time Shelby would walk out there, two of the horses would walk right up to her and just stand.

                While we were there we decided to walk on the New River Trail State Park.  It was nice.

                It was really nice and the trail was clean and wide.  We saw lots of people on bikes and
                                                                  a few where on horses.

                     We saw more old barns, bridges and we got to watch three deer run across the river.
                             (I wasn't able to get my camera fast enough to get a photo of them running.)

                           On the trial there were some cute little Mountain Cottages you could rent.
                                            And of course my two just had to get near the water.

           My mini me makes me laugh...she found ways to carry her water bottle.  Notice the second photo?
                                                 She has it stuck in the back of her tank top. Ha!

Over all we had a great weekend.  Now we are back home, I gotta say it was sad watching the Mountains get smaller and smaller in my rear view mirror.  Now it's back to work, and helping my daughter fill out applications for a summer job, maybe she will find one before the summer is over.

Raven Rock State Park, North Carolina (Part two)

After finishing the Campbell Creek Trail we sat down to eat lunch.  They have two large shaded picnic areas with plenty of tables, but we decided to sit in the car and run the AC. Ha!  Then we hit the Raven Rock Tail.
And wouldn't you know as soon as we started on this trial we see this....

 Yes that is a snake. It was a small one but to me a snake is a snake.   I could have gotten a great photo of it in plain view while it was going across the path but all three of us just stood there frozen while watching it.  SO, after seeing the snake I didn't get many "nature" shots because I didn't take my eyes off the walking path...haha!  But here is a few.

Raven Rock is a unique part of the park.  The rock is HUGE and I wasn't able to get the whole thing in a photo.

It was really nice to see.  It is amazing to me on how many places are just hidden that we will never get to see.  I told my daughter that I hope she will continue to find State Parks and enjoy it with her family.  She has never been one to sit and play video games, but that cell phone is always in her hand.  

I wasn't to sure about all the steps to get to the Rock but I got down them and back up them. I am guessing that they are the reason my legs are still hurting.  Ha!

My two favorite people in the world aren't afraid to get out there and explore.  My hubby is the leader and my mini me isn't to far behind him.  And me....well I sit back and enjoy watching them while wondering where that snake went too!

There was one trail we didn't do because of time, it has a overview looking over the river and a area for fishing.  I look forward to going back soon.  

Raven Rock State Park, North Carolina (Part 1)

As a family we love the outdoors.  So when I came across Raven Rock State Park I decided it was time for a day trip.  We put on our walking clothes, packed a cooler with lunch, packed a backpack with water and snacks and took off to hike and enjoy Gods beauty.  They had a small Museum with information, restrooms and gift shop. (Click on the photos to enlarge.)

Raven Rock State Park is in North Carolina.  It offers camping, Picnicking, Hiking, and Fishing.We decided to go hiking and enjoy some of Gods beautiful creations.  It is really great to just take a day and enjoy nature.

First we took off on the Campbell Creek Loop Trail.  It's 4.9 miles and one side of the loop travels beside the Creek.  It was really nice.  There were few bridges to cross, stairs to climb but so worth the view.

It wasn't long before my hubby and daughter were going down to a smaller creek to touch the water.  I love that my daughter was really enjoying it.

We stopped at a few points of the creek.  It was hot that day so it was nice to feel the cool water. It was a great day.

A small trail off the loop lead us to the Cape Fear River.  It was nice.

Half way in the hike we came up to the Lanier Falls.  It's a small falls, ok not much of a falls but it was so beautiful and peaceful.  I could have sat there for hours and just listen to the water.  

This photo sums it all up.  There is nothing better than getting away from cell phones, computers, work, and everyday stress and just relax and enjoy the outdoors. 

It's the simple things in life......

  

One Knee Surgery, Allergies, End of School and a Day-cation

Wow...I didn't know it's been so long since I last posted.  Sorry about that.
We have been busy around here.

My father in law had knee surgery about three weeks ago.  Everything was going great, he was home doing rehab. Then one day he started noticing his knee was feeling hot and the pain was getting worse.  So off back to the doctor and he came down with a staff infection called MRSA.  It was bad, they had to go back in and clean the infection out.  He is home now and still having to take strong antibiotics and keep an eye on his knee.  Fingers crossed he is on the road to a full recovery now.  My husband and Father in Law are very much alike....they don't like to stay down long. Always on the go so I know he is ready to be back to normal.

We normally have allergies when Spring rolls around but this Spring/Summer has been the worst at our house.  Hubby and I had it for about a week but our Daughter had it FOREVER.  And it seemed like nothing she took for it helped.  I even called the doctor and made an appointment  thinking she had a sinus infection.  But a few days before she had to go she got well.  No sneezing, running nose or watery eyes.  So far, she hasn't had anymore problems.

This is my daughters last week of school.  I can't believe she will be a High School Senior when school starts back.  Time really does fly by.  She had one exam last week and three this week.  I can tell she is burnt out of school...haha.  She is a great student and does really good with homework and studying.  But she just doesn't care to study for exams this time around.  I can understand, they push so much on students today.  It's easy to get overwhelmed.  Although I encourage her to study she has all A's in her classes so if she fails her exams she still passes the class.  The one she took last week she has a 98 in her class and she made a 95 on the exam without studying so I guess she does know it.  On top of exams she has had a DECA club end of the year party, they went bowling and out to eat.  And then she is a Marshall at this years Graduation so she has practice.  Also she is going around filling out applications  for a job.  AND for the parents they have already come up for their Senior Trip for next year, and of course that means for us....amount due! Thank the Lord, they broke up the amount due into payments.  They don't waist no time asking for money. Ha!

So with all this going on, we decided to take a Day-cation.  We love the outdoors and I came across a State Park that we hadn't been to.  We packed up our lunch and lots of water/snacks and went hiking.   I will post about our day tomorrow ( there will be part one/part two because I love taking photos. Ha!)