Day 56 The Hike-Willy and Dad's faux adventure

This is Bill typing today's post. Willy and I intended to go to Sky Meadows about 45 minutes from our house.
As we got out into the rural area near Sky Meadows we remembered we hadn't eaten so we drove 16 miles each way (out of the way) to get a subway. When we got to Sky Meadows the heavy rains we'd been having all afternoon had cleared and the sky was beautiful but the park was still closed for winter. Weird, but the weather has been so warm that its hard to remember it still Feb.
As Willy and I contemplated what to do, he Googled and I looked at a map, and we finally decided to drive to a nearby Appalachian Trail through hiker shelter that you could get to by car. It was starting to get dark and we missed a couple of turns, which led us into some kind of scary locations. When we got to the Blackburn trail center we saw a sign and some old stone chimneys that we thought must be it. We put on our forehead flashlights and looked around, trying not to disturb the residences we saw 200 yards up the hill from us, and ended up putting our tent in the parking area just in front of our car. You know, in the gravel. Once we got ourselves situated we felt the high winds that the radio man had been talking about but we prayed to be safe and the winds stopped sounding so threatening.
It was cold but our new sleeping bags and the tent we borrowed from the scouts treated us well.
After a restless night of turning and tossing on the rocky ground we finally emerged at 8:30 to see that the actual trail center was the structures we thought were homes above us. There are two very large grassy areas (perfect for pitching a tent) at the center and some rustic facilities. Boy were our faces red. We walked up to the center and then up to the actual Appalachian trail, so we could say we had. The elevation is about a 1500 foot climb over about 1.5 miles so I was glad we'd done it by car. This video is a hiker's capture of their visit to the center. You'll see the lawn that would have been so nice to tent in. Well, that's what happens when you try to find a good camping spot in the dark.



It was a lot of fun and Willy and I have a lot of funny memories and stories to share. We had a great time and although we didn't get our boots muddy, it was worth the work. Austin and I are going to hike Bull run mountain in a couple of weeks, I know its open and how to get there, but I also know its a hard one.

Day 55 One on One Time with Dad!

Bill and Willy have been planning a backpacking camping overnighter for a couple of months and today they left to go to Sky Meadows State Park to enjoy some bonding time. There are some primitive camp sites they hike to, and then more hiking trails. One of the hiking trails meets up with the Appalachian trail (AT) and follows it for a few miles. Bill wants to hike on the AT to say that he has walked part of this long trail that goes from Georgia to Vermont. Something like 400 miles of the AT are in Virginia. Sadly it has rained today so the trails will be muddy but, just spending time together one on one will be awesome. I think that anytime a child can have uninterrupted time with a parent is eye opening for the parent and the child. I'm grateful that Bill and Willy have some time to spend together where they can both let down there guard and say or not say anything and they can just be two guys doing guy things. I hope they come back with some pictures to share.

Weigh in results
Lost this week 3.4 lbs
Total lost 19.8 lbs in 7 weeks
Almost lost my first 20 lbs. Just barely missed it. Next week I'll make it, however I'm doing my happy dance and Bill took me to lunch today. I'm beginning to make choices that I haven't been able to mentally make before like deciding my lunch was to big and throwing half of it away instead of eating it because I paid for it. This is a big step for me I don't have to eat everything on my plate. I can choose and no one is going to be mad. Just a few more pounds and I'll hit my 10% goal!

Day 54 Senior T-shirt

Emily designed her own class T -shirt. We thought it was pretty clever. We printed it on our new press and dried it without new heat press. Bill and I think that we don't want to do this anymore and then we start doing it again and we love it so much we can't just put it away all the way. It's just a fun hobby. It's so fun to see the finished product and then let others see it too. Hopefully Emily's friends will love it and she can make some for them too.

I saw this out our front door this afternoon and just wanted to ask if anyone may know what it is? Willy's idea is that the fire truck is testing out the pump. I thought it was kind of cool to see how high the water was over the house. Pretty interesting on a beautiful spring like day.

Day 53 Concert

Wow! Band concerts are a matter of listening for improvement and the sixth grade band has improved. This is Austin's second year of band and they were good they played some great pieces starting us out with the national anthem. I know that Austin is okay at the trumpet with a little practice he could be better. We'll have to see what he wants to do next year, if he wants to continue or not. Thanks for the music in our lives!

Day 52 Youth Temple Trip

This is Austin's first trip to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. I'm so happy that he could go with such a great group of youth. We are grateful that the youth in our ward get to go and do this wonderful work twice a year, and that the temple is close enough that they can do it in an evening. They will arrive home tonight about 11:00pm. They always cancel Seminary the morning after a temple trip because they arrive home so late.
Lydia and I went to the church for a little while to check up on some cub scout stuff and then we enjoyed playing a game and read some books.
I love to stay up and hear about their experiences. I feel so blessed to be a part of God's plan of happiness and to know that the temple makes it possible for us and those whom have passed on, to return to Him again.

Day 51 Friends

Lydia had a wonderful time playing in the park with Claire, David, Austin, and Cortney. The sun was out but the air was cool. I enjoyed talking to Kelly! It was a wonderful day to get out of the house and see the sunshine on this Presidents Day Monday!

Clair and Lydia loved the swings and David loved the slides. Austin and Cortney shot some hoopes!

Day 50 Teachers

Sundays are a super busy days but between church and presidency meeting for the boys, we stopped long enough to get a picture in Sunday dress. I love how happy Lydia is in primary and how she loves her teachers Brother and Sister Ross. She came home with an apple and I asked why she received the apple and she said because her primary teachers love her. I am grateful for the teachers that influence our children to obey the Lord's commandments and show them how to become like Him.

Lydia spent a few minutes tonight painting her fingernails and toenails. She just loves girly things.