Chilly, Rainy Days...Warm, Happy Hearts...and THINC

Pine Mountain RV Resort
Pine Mountain, GA
November 9, 2015

We arrived in Pine Mountain November 2. The past week we have been dodging rain showers. The only sunshine we've had was on the first day for about 30 minutes. The skies have been gray, the wind has been howling, and blankets and coats were dug out from under the bed. 

Fall is definitely in the air here...

I managed a short, cold walk earlier today. The ground is completely saturated. My feet were squishy and the ground spongy as I made my way under the pine trees.

When I saw the thick branches on the holly bush moving, I had to wait to see what it was. I enjoyed the antics of this Northern Mockingbird for several minutes before moving on.

The colors of fall abound...

with a few colors of summer hanging on...

and colors that tell us winter is just around the corner.

Warm happy hearts also abound in our hometown...

Raelyn, our granddaughter, just turned two.

Joshua, our grandson, is five. 

Avery, our great grandson, just turned one.

 Our oldest grandson, Chase, is seventeen and a senior at Troup County High. He was accepted in the THINC College and Career Academy this year. Being dual enrollment with Troup, students are given the opportunity to take college-level courses from college instructors, earn college credit and receive high-school credit at the same time. Chase goes half day and is taking a critical thinking math class as well as a robotics class. THINC is completely funded by corporate sponsorships...millions donated by companies like Kia, Mobis, Georgia Power, Milliken &Co.  

Last Thursday, we visited Chase after school. He is in a robotics club and was eager to show us around. 

Latest and greatest robotic color sorter...

Boards the class has put together

The class is building robotic soccer teams. They didn't need much netting, so Chase downloaded instructions on how to make it. He then divided the class of ten students in half and guided them thru the process.

We have enjoyed our stay in spite of the weather.

Tomorrow is travel day...we head west toward Tucson. When we left Moab, our front driver hydraulic jack leaked fluid. We have an appointment with our mechanic to get it fixed, Jack needs to visit the vet and I desperately need a hair cut.

Until next time, let the good times roll... 

HAPPY TRAILS!

The Love Tree

Pine Mountain RV Resort
Pine Mountain, GA
October 31, 2015

Love Trees are made of two trees...one growing out of the other. Generally it is a Sabal Palm (the Florida state tree) and an oak tree intertwined to make one tree. Neither tree would survive if they were separated. Hence, the legend "if you kiss someone beneath a Love Tree, the two of you will seal your love for all eternity and be together forever". There are several such trees in St. Augustine, but the first and most famous is the The Love Tree on Cordova St. next to the Tolomato Cemetery. The natural embrace of these trees is the spot Will (our nephew) and Jan chose for their marriage ceremony on Saturday, October 31st. 

Congratulations Will and Jan

Front row - Jessica (Jan's daughter), Beckom, (Jan's grandson), Jo (Joe's sister) and me
Back row - Bubba (Jan's son), Jan, Will, Joe and Chuck (Joe's BIL)

It was a short two day visit packed full of fun and laughter.

The night before the big day, we dined at Scarlett O'Hara's. We sure had a hankering for southern fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, and sweet tea! And to top it off, a piece of pecan pie...just like my grandma made.





Everyone (except us) stayed at the Old Powder House Inn B&B.





The porches (downstairs and upstairs) and quaint yard were comfy, cozy and served as the perfect place to visit and catch up.

After the wedding, Jo and Chuck treated all of us to a very nice lunch at Columbia Restaurant featuring Spanish/Cuban cuisine. 

Located in the historic district, it is family owned and operated for over 100 years.

                   

Saturday night we were entertained by the Sheriff as we walked the back streets of St. Augustine and heard ghostly tails with a bit of history. It was a 90 minute stroll which would be fun on any night, but being Halloween made it especially spooky. Do you know the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard? 



We were perhaps the only people in St. Augustine who did not "dress up" for the occasion. Costumes were quite elaborate...we saw it all. Folks there take it very seriously!

We are now settled in at Pine Mountain RV Resort for a week. Until next time, let the good times roll...

HAPPY TRAILS!