Mimi Wednesday

Wednesday, the babysitter's granddaughter had strep throat.  I asked if I needed to keep the girls.  Virginia said that would be nice.  There was a free movie at the local movie theater, David at 9:30 A.M.  Sadie and Allie  had never been to a movie theater.  

I thought I got off easy as we went through the lobby and sat down.  Two minutes later they asked for popcorn.  There was a "deal".  Four dollars for a box of popcorn and a small drink.  The only non pop choice was HiC.  I told them they could not eat the popcorn until the movie started.  Allie thought the commercials were the start.  And she is not good at making a drink last any time.  She was finished with that in 15 minutes.  Therefore, we had to make two trips to the bathroom during the movie.   

Sadie was very excited about the experience.  When the lights dimmed she gasped and asked, "what's happening?"  I told her there would be a bunch of commercials that we couldn't skip.  After each commercial, she would do a little gasp and say, "what's going to happen next?"  After the movie I asked if they liked it. YES!  Sadie said there was no point asking what she liked best because she liked everything.  She said she wanted to go back every day and watch David again.  

After the movie we went to the park where Chautaugua was offering a free craft; scrunchie, headband, hat or tote.  They both chose headband.  

I think they turned out very cute.  

I had to stop at the post office to mail something that I had sold on eBay.  Who knew that people want old computer punch cards.  Anyway, they had never been in the post office either.  The postmaster gave them each a book and a toy.  Then it was back to the house.  I had picked up Little Caesar's Pizza for lunch.  I told them they could see the new foal and I had a new princess costume for dress up ($1 from the deals store.)  After lunch they chose dress up first.  I have failed in their equestrian training.   

We finally made it out to see the colt.  There were lots of "oh, how cute" comments.  

And they were both able to pet him. 

He was very cute. 

I had put their head bands on and wanted to take a picture.  Allie was not having it at first.  

Then she perked up.  (notice she put her dress on inside out after princess dress up.  When I said we needed to change it she said no, it was fine.)

She even did some posing.  

But this was my favorite face.  

Sadie rather likes her picture taken.  I think the headband really suits her hair style. 

She too wanted to do some posing.  

Meanwhile, Allie had taken her headband off and put it back on herself.  She said she liked it that way and didn't want me to fix it.  

And let's not forget about Clyde.  Sadie wanted to braid flowers into his mane.  So I did a long French braid and let them stick wildflowers in it.  

Sadie LOVED it.  She said if we go to a horse show she wants him to look just like this.  

And notice she picked out a flower print dress to ride in with her cowboy boots.  

Allie still doesn't want to trot.  But she does like walking around.  

Sadie on the other hand only wants to trot.  I think Clyde might get along with Allie a little better.  I was suppose to have them fed and ready to leave for Bible school at 5:30.  They got peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for supper.  It was a full day. 

 

From The Beach To The Mountains

 I left the beach yesterday morning.

Most people don’t seem to make it out before 11. So from 6 am until 10 I can be pretty alone. 

There were some birds, 

Goodbye beach for this trip. 

Golden Boy (not his name) is filling out. 

Then for the evening Joe and I went to the bluegrass night at Chautauqua. 

The head line band wasn’t exactly bluegrass. I made the comment that if someone came wanting to hear bluegrass they might be disappointed. 

Joe’s reply was “they have the same instruments but they make a different racket.” But they were still good. 

But I had left 90 degree weather to come back to 60’s. 

Good thing I dressed for it and had a blanket in the car. 

The Channels

Joe wanted to do something different than usual on Sunday.  So, instead of walking around here, we drove and hour and a half to walk around somewhere else.  I had seen something about The Channels in Saltville and thought it sounded interesting. 

It was purchased by the Virginia Department of Forestry in 2008, so it is a relatively new attraction.  There are only 10 parking spots, violators will be ticketed and towed.  There were 12 parked cars and another waiting when we arrived and another pulled in right after us.  Joe was pretty put out.  He thought that no one would bother to drive 30 minutes up a very winding road in the middle of no where to go on a hike.  I had already read that you needed to get there early to get a spot so I was not surprised by the number of cars there.  And since we were already there, I didn't mind waiting to see if a spot opened up.  It turned out we only had to wait about 30 minutes.  Then off we went.  The trail was 3 1/2 miles up hill the whole way.  

I enjoyed spotting wildflowers like these fire pinks, 

Mountain laurel, 

rhododendron, 

galax, 

goat's beard, 

blue eyed grass, 

And wild azalea.                                                                                                                                             

Finally, at the top there was a lookout tower.  Unfortunately, it was closed to the public.  

But there was a rock outcropping that had a beautiful view.  

I had eaten my lunch in the parking lot while we waited, but Joe packed his up the mountain and ate here.  

Then it was just a few hundred yards to The Channels.  

It doesn't look like much from the top.  

But it is amazing from the bottom.  

Joe said it would be a good spot for a Gunsmoke episode.   He said he could just hear Chester getting lost and calling out, "Mr. Dillon, Mr. Dillion."

I, on the other hand, thought about True Grit when Joe said he would take my picture.  I took off  my hat and my sunglasses immediately flew off and down into a hole.  I just thought about the snake pit.  Luckily, there was a stick near by that I was able to use to fish my glasses closer so I could reach them.  And there was no snake. 

We explored all of the nooks and crannies for about half an hour.  It was fascinating.  

Then it was 3 1/2 miles back down the mountain.  

It was a very enjoyable 4 hour hike.  We had no idea this was nearly in our backyard.