Friday

Well here I am blogging from the Hampton Inn in Woodstock, Va. Wow this is really a nice facility and loaded with amenities such as twin queen beds, a large spacious room, free full breakfast, indoor heated pool and spa, workout room, etc. You will guess it been years since we've stayed in a motel or some place other than a home with family, oh well!!!

We left our cabin in the woods around 9:30 or so and headed into Galax where we picked up Rt 221 instead of using the interstate. It was a nice local drive through many small mountain towns but a bit on the curvy side and at times very steep, especially Bent Mountain. Now I know why its named Bent Mt., yikes its straight down with so many curves we met ourselves on the next curve. We picked up I-81 at the Roanoke Exit and headed north to Harrisonburg where we exited and picked up Rt.11. What a drive through the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. We did noticed lots of tree damage along side the road all the way from the cabin as we travelled north. We passed several Civil War monuments along side the road as well, especially in the New Market area where a tremendous battle occurred. The beautiful farms and majestic old homes are scattered along this road once know as the Valley Pike. The area seems to have had plenty of rain as the soybean and corn crops are lush and green. There is good evidence of a great hay crop as "cow sleeping bags" that what our daughter-in-law, Jill calls them are lined up along the roads and in the barns of the numerous farms.

We reached our motel about the same time as Bob and his family did and we unload our luggage together and entered the motel with the kiddos riding on the cart. We have adjoining rooms which make it easy. Bob and I took the kids to the indoor pool and the kids worked out some of their energy by jumping and diving and I got in a good swim as well. The first swim for me in ages and great exercise for me and the knee. It seems to be healing nicely and I hope to return to hiking and eventually pickle ball again.

Bob and Annsley took off about 5 PM for the church to do the rehearsal for Saturdays wedding. Nancy, Jill and I were entertained by Gabe until we headed out to the Mexican Restaurant which is about 5 minutes away from the motel. We ended up with about 40-50 folks for the dinner and the food was okay but nothing to write home about. We got to meet Jordan's(groom) folks who traveled from Colorado, Kentucky and Texas to be here and most of them are staying here at the Hampton as well. We meet several in the lobby while checking in. Also lots of Kelly's friends from Belgium and Hawaii. Halley Jo(Kelly's older sister) is gorgeous and we wanted to hook her up with an old friend of Bobby's but he was unable to be here so she brought a friend who did not impress us. Anyhow we stayed as long we were able to entertain Gabe as it was really past his bedtime.

Bob took Gabe home and then I stayed and drove the rest of the gang after visiting for another hour or so with the wedding family, LATER