Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Well we made it up and back from the Shenandoah Valley safely and thanks to all who kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We had a whirlwind visit but was great to see all again and visit Wardensville, W.Va for the first time in a couple decades at middle sister Pat's place. Saturday found us leaving the cabin with temp's down in the 30's and a strong constant wind at times felt like a hurricane. Leaves were flying everywhere along with debris from the trees as we drove north on the BRP(Blue Ridge Parkway) to the Roanoke, Va exit where we picked up I-81 for the finale leg of our trip. We stopped at the Mabry Mills historical area where the old grist mill still grinds corn and other grains for human consumption. It was so bloody cold there with the strong winds that mainly all we wanted to do was walk for 15 minutes to get the blood circulating in the legs after sitting for an hour and a half. They were making apple butter the old fashion way as well as the local blacksmith was hammering away in his forge.

After Mabry Mills we continued north to Poor Mountain Overlook and ate our lunch while watching the leaves being blown about and over the mountain. The colors of the leaves changed abruptly over night and what was left on the trees were quickly being blown off. At times the wind was so strong it rocked the truck. There were some great mountain drop off views and one mountain with the name of Bent Mountain was unbelievably crooked as we headed down into the Valley. We stopped at an old cemetery along the parkway where folks from back in the 1800's were buried along with 2 infants that lived for only a week each. We stopped in the area of Roanoke to gas up and walk around and finally the temps had started to warm up into the 50's. The wind was still strong but it to had started to moderate.

We made the trip on into Woodstock, Va where baby sister Dee lives with Mike. Their youngest daughter, Kelly was home from Radford College for the weekend. Their place is set in a beautiful wide open space surrounded by a huge operating dairy farm. What a gorgeous setting with the Blue Ridge Mountains on both side of the Shenandoah Valley. The temps had warmed up considerably by 3 PM and the sunshine was brilliant. While waiting for them to arrive we did a walk in their 'hood. Most all of these lovely homes are set on large acre plus or more lots with huge yards(that's how I acquired my riding mower from them as they needed a larger and faster mower for their 3 plus acres of yard). We had a warm welcome and with Mike just having surgery to repair a tore rotator cuff on Friday we managed to find time to watch a little college football, eat and play some cards. It was a tough night for him as he had to sleep sitting up in a recliner.

On Sunday we all headed to church with them at Shenandoah Community Fellowship and was warmly greeted by all. Afterwards we made a Wal-mart stop which was in the local area before heading by to their place where daughter Kelly was getting ready to drive back south to RU(Radford University) which is about a 2 1/2 to 3 hour drive down the valley. After saying our good-byes we headed to Wardensville, W. VA. which was about another 45 minute drive up to North Mountain. There we saw middle sister Pat and Keith's hopefully retirement home which is being occupied by their youngest son, Justin. My oldest sister Josie(Sharon) and husband Wayne and her only son, BJ were there as well as our dad and his friend Adeline. Keith's side of the family was there as well. There was tons of finger foods, soup, cookies and fruit. We had a good time together and even did a little hillbilly shuffle on the back deck where Wayne had set up some speakers and his thousands of songs on his computer. We had everything from the 50's to good ole' down home red neck music. It was good to see all and we met Keith's folks who we had never met before. Thanks Pat and Keith for putting this get together on as they are both Lutheran pastors in the Milton, Pa. area and were down on a couple weeks vacation. We headed out after a couple hours as Mike needed a little rest and medication.

Sunday evening found us relaxing watching a little football and eventually playing a couple games of Oh Well(H) which is a new card game for them and we had tons of laughter. We decided to call it an early night as Mike had to be a work by 7AM on Monday and he needed his rest and of course one never really sleeps great in a strange bed even though the bed was great. We headed out on Monday around 9 after Dee got back home from driving Mike to work. We visited with some great Cinnamon buns and hot coffee and tea before leaving in the cool crisp morning air. Dee's tomato's were still producing so we picked a dozen or so then headed south.

After a couple stops on I-81 which we took all the way back to the Galax, Va exit and another stop at Wal-mart for supplies for this next week we made it home around 3 PM. The leaves are past peak here and lots of them are gone as well. It was good to be back in the cabin after seeing all the family and so much different country. The huge farms along the Shenandoah Valley are just beautiful and the history that is evident to the area is inspiring. The weather was just unseasonably warm with high 70's and brilliant sunshine. We got in a hike to the top after getting back and unpacking. The walk was most pleasant and it was good to stretch the legs. I watched a little of the Rangers whup up on the Yankees last night before turning in around 10 PM. LATER