Family, Friends, Feathers, Fun

Our last night on the beach was blessed with a beautiful sky.  (You can also see how calm the water was.  It was pretty much like that the whole time.  I was able to take Sadie and Allie out one at a time, to float on the boogie board.  They loved it.)

Anyway, back to our last night, we went for a walk down the beach.  Sadie wanted to go the the pier (1 mile away) but it was too late to make it there and back.  I reminded her that I asked for her to take a walk that morning.  At the time she said, "you are wasting all my play time by taking a walks."  After the walk, she said she didn't know it would be so much fun.  

Because you just never know what you will see.  Harley the parrot was out on the beach showing off again.  I saw him last year.  You can check that out HERE

And there were two turtle nests that were being watched for hatching.  We didn't go back to check but it was interesting talking to the official watchers.  

Yesterday morning was our last chance to play.  I had gotten this flying rubbery disc at the Big Bin Dealz Store.  It was much easier to throw and softer to catch than a frisbee.  

Allie was particularly good at it.  Unfortunately, we left it on the beach.  Good thing it was only a dollar.  

Our sand castle building improved.  The last one was the best.  

And Birdie even made the "surf squad" necklaces out of shells she and her mother had found on the beach.  

Sadie and Allie showed them off for Mike and Virginia when they got home. 

Well, maybe Allie was more interested in riding her bike.  

As a bonus, Carol and I got one also.  I've never made a friend at the beach before, but Birdie's mom was awesome.  I guess there is a first time for everything.  
 

The Beach

Virginia and Mike have let me take Sadie and Allie to the beach!  Carol joined me to help out. 

The drive down yesterday was terrible. It poured rain for over half the trip.  But we finally got here and still had some time for an evening walk. 

But it didn’t last long because another storm blew in. 

But some shells were found before it started raining. 

This morning we headed back out. 

There was lots of sand digging and water carrying. 

But then the rain started again. Carol entertained them inside until it stopped raining and we went back out after lunch.  

Sadie made a new friend. They played for hours. 

After the friend had to go in we made our yearly mermaid tail. 

 Hopefully I got them back inside before they turned into lobsters.  Lots of fun so far. 

Done

Joe and I drove up to Afton Mountain to pick up Emily and Keiran at the end for their 100 mile hike yesterday. 

We got there a little bit early and went to meet them on the trail. I think they were glad to be done. Emily said she did not need to do that again.  It just took her a few days longer to come to Joe's conclusion that it was torture. 

 There was quite a bit of hobbling. Both Emily and Keiran had sore knees. On the way to drive them up to where they left their car we stopped and had lunch at a nice pizza place then crossed the street for some gelato (I opted for a brownie). 

Keiran shared this cool face he saw.

They saw surprisingly few real faces.  There was an Indian man from India that ended up at the same shelters several times.  

Food didn't seem to be an issue other than they said they carried too  much.  Any future hikes will probably be shorter with lighter packs.  

After we dropped them off at their car, I will say that I was glad I thought to bring a can of Febreze.  It made the 5 hour drive back more bearable.  

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Overnight Trip

Joe had never been to Brevard to see Emily and Keiran’s house. This weekend he finally got there. 

Parts of the drive are really beautiful. 

After getting there, touring the house and yard, we went for a walk around the neighborhood and to downtown.  We stopped at an outdoor store and Joe tried on some hiking boots and backpacks.  No purchases were made.  

Emily took my picture at the White Squirrel Shoppe.  

It was a very pleasant town to walk around.  

On the way back, I spotted this unusual shaped flower.  Apparently, it is a gooseneck loosestrife.  They look exactly like geese.  

Emily and Keiran have a passion flower plant.  It is lovely.  It is making me consider trying one.  But they said it spreads, so I'm not sure I want to deal with that.  

Emily had asked Joe to bring a chain saw.  He was able to cut all of the unwanted trees and limbs.  Homemade pizza was for supper and Carol joined us for an evening of Scrabble.
Saturday morning we headed to Pisgah National Park for a 6 mile hike.   

Joe carried Emily's backpack for practice.  Are you wondering yet why all this hiking gear? 

Anyway, it was easy hiking. 

With a beautiful view at the top.  This is a view of Looking Glass Rock.

We got a togetherie. 

And a nice picture of Emily and Keiran.

And even a decent one of me and Joe. 

 

Joe spotted this damsel fly,

and Keiran saw this Click Beetle.  I have never heard of one before. 

And there was a very cute squirrel eating a mushroom. 

                                                 

There were lots of huckleberries.

I ate a few handfuls.  

It was a very nice hike. 

Back at the house Keiran wanted to show Joe how light and easy his tent was to set up.  

Then we went to REI and Joe made his first purchase towards his hike, a pair of hiking shoes!

I found out a couple of years ago that he was wanting to hike the Appalachian Trail.  Keiran suggested that he start smaller, The Long Trail in Vermont, 272 miles.  The plan is for Joe, Emily and Keiran to do the hike in August.  We are still trying to get Mitchell to go too.  I get to stay home and take care of the farm. It is starting to get real now. 

Zoom

Draper's colt has been very popular. 

They are spending more time outside.  After over 2 months in the barn, Draper is glad to be out on grass again. 

I caught some zoomies on video.  He is starting to venture away from mom more. 

Linda visited yesterday, 

and Carol came a little bit later.  "Golden Boy" (joe's nickname for him) is eating up all the attention. 

 

First Visitors

Day 3 and Draper’s colt had his first visitors. 

Mitchell and Ann came to see how cute his is in person.  Draper didn’t mind the extra people. She is just happy to be out on grass again.  

While Draper was eating her grain, her colt (I need a name) went over to see Joe. So far he seems curious and not too jumpy. 

By the way, he passed the initial test on getting enough colostrum. 

I don’t think I am being too biased when I say how handsome he is.