ART!

Fort Lewis Lodge is a lovely place.  The natural beauty is just astounding all by itself.  But then there are the added surprises of the human-made artworks.  Here are a few that I especially enjoyed.

This piece is hanging in the bar that is only open about an hour a day right before dinner!

This cute piece hangs in the dining room.

This guy is guarding the "entrance" to the bar!

This squirrel sits on the bar deck.  We joined him every evening before dinner!

I am still thinking about this one.  It hangs in the dining room.  I'm not really sure what it is, but it looks like there's a spoon and perhaps a couple other kitchen items in this sculpture.

Those chairs in the center of the picture are where Golfer and I sat every evening after dinner, just relaxing and looking out at the beauty of nature.  And seeing an occasional deer run through the fields.

Stay safe!

A "P.S." to Last Post. There Is Hope

It occurred to me that BeyB will have plans thought out for how to survive a disaster!  In preparing for a zombie apocalypse she has made many tentative plans on how to survive!  So there is hope!  I am sure she is not the only young person to be thinking of these things!  :)

Stay safe!

A Trip Back in Time

You could probably tell from my previous posts that we were in a very rural area.  There were wide open spaces, open fields, and miles without even a house.  It was lovely.  And it reminded us a lot of our childhood.  Golfer grew up on a small farm.  I grew up in a small town.  Nice memories.

Anyone remember these??

It was almost like stepping back in time.  When we checked in at the lodge John, the owner, told us we didn't need a key, they didn't really use them there.  Just close your door.  No need to worry.  That took a little getting used to, but really, that's the way it was when we were kids.  No one had to lock their doors.  

I sometimes wonder what will happen if there is a disaster or something and nothing works.  Would there be enough young people who would know how to plant seeds and grow food?  Or do things "by hand"?  I hope so.  I wonder if they could use a coin operated phone?

Road Trips - Gotta Love ‘Em!

They really did mean SINGLE LANE!

I love road trips.  I very rarely ever drive when we’re out and about.  So for me it’s just packing up the car, getting in my seat, getting buckled in and enjoying the sights.  There’s no reading, playing games, watching DVDs on a good road trip!  I admit, there might be a bit of dozing if it’s a long drive, but I do try to stay awake! I read the road signs to Golfer as we go along because he’s concentrating on the driving.  And let me tell you, our recent trip has taken some concentrating!

So we were looking for antique shops and had our notes and lists and the GPS.  Do you talk with your GPS units??  Seems like we always do.  At times there might be a steady argument when the GPS lady says go one way and Golfer is going “no way!”  

Does common sense apply here?

On this trip we were on roads where the GPS told us “Undefined area”.  That translates into “Dude, WTH! we do not know where you are.  You are on your own!”  The map screen was almost a solid white at these times.   

We were on one lane unpaved roads.  We were on two lane unmarked roads (no painted lines) that were questionable.  I really don’t think two SUVs could pass each other on those. Some of the yellow warning signs looked like pictures of Harry Potter’s scar!  There were twists and turns on the roads that made it feel like a thrill ride at Disney!  We had a great time and it was lovely scenery.  

Only saw a couple chipmunks, but this guy was cute!

We saw lots of wildlife.  Some little furry thing I could not identify ran across the road.  It was brown, cute and FAST.  There was a deer watching us go by.  And more bunnies.  And many pretty birds.  The bull frogs were busy "singing" at night.   This was a wonderful trip.  I love you, Golfer!

Stay safe everyone!

And Another Beautiful Day!

I wrote this yesterday but we had internet issues.  :)

Golfer and I started our day sitting on the porch having our coffee and watching a bunny have his breakfast in the garden at the front of our cabin.  Sooooo cute!  He’d eat a little and tear around like he was being chased and then nibble some more.  It was quiet and peaceful.

When it was close to breakfast bell time for us we walked on down to the dining hall which is actually called “the Mill”.  We had another wonderful breakfast…. Delicious French toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, crisp bacon, fresh fruit and assorted yogurts.  Of course there is always a large selection of boxed cereals, too.  But really!  With breakfast spreads like this every morning, who in their right mind wants dry cereal????  Golfer and I did split a Greek yogurt one morning just to taste it and see what the big to-do was with Greek yogurt.  It was pretty good, thicker than regular.  I wouldn’t trade it for the French toast though!

Anyway, after breakfast, we got ourselves together and got in the car.  Hiro (the Acura for those who can’t remember the names I’ve given our vehicles) is in dire need of a good bath.  That is a hazard of driving on unpaved roads. Of course, that is another thing that you won’t see around here evidently – a car wash!

Back to topic.. we were looking for antique shops.  Didn’t find any.  We saw some really old buildings.  And I think we saw everything downtown Hot Springs has to offer.  

Oh, we discovered limited Starbucks coffee is available only twenty-two miles from Fort Lewis Lodge!  This info is for our fellow Starbucks customers.  The nearest actual Starbucks store is thirty miles away in West Virginia.

It’s been another great day!

Stay safe!

A Time of Firsts!

Hey, all!

I mentioned in my last post about the Jefferson hot springs and going for a "soak".  That was a first for us.  This trip has had a couple other firsts!  We ate couscous  for the first time.  It was some sort of couscous and barley dish with a few bits of veggies in it.  It was very good.  Caryl, one of the owners, is an excellent cook and prepares great meals.

Today we took the rocky path down to the Cowpasture River here on the property.  We were the only ones there.  Caryl packed us a picnic lunch and we ate on the small deck by the river.  It's a beautiful area - peaceful and quiet.  Golfer got in one of the kayaks and went out on the river.  That was a first!  And he talked me into getting in one of the inner tubes and going out.  That was the easy part.  The hardest part was getting me back upright!  I can't remember when we've laughed so hard!  Finally we figured out if I floated out to where it was deeper I could get my feet down and under me and stand up and walk out of the water.  Remember, my joints don't work the way I'd like and there are sometimes balance issues, but what fun!  That was the first time that either of us could remember ever getting in a river.  Unless you count the creek on the farm where Golfer grew up.  When we were kids we were near the Tuscarawas River.  At that time the water would probably eat your skin off with pollutants.  It's cleaned up now, thank goodness.

It's been a lovely day.  Soon it will be time to walk down to the dining room.  We'll sit at the bar and listen to the bull frogs until the dinner bell rings.

Stay safe!

Peace and Tranquility

Golfer and I are on our anniversary trip to Fort Lewis Lodge, in Millboro, VA.  It is beautiful here!  We have a small cabin.  There is no TV, no phone, just peace and quiet.  And Wi-Fi!  Which is why you get to read this post!

We went to Jefferson Hot Springs and had a "soak" in a pool of lovely, clear, very warm mineral water.  It was very relaxing.  The pools are over two hundred years old.  The water in the pool where we went was about 6'8" deep.  You could see clearly all the way to the rock bottom.  Lovely.  The attendant gave us "noodles" so we could just float there in the water.  Then we did some sight-seeing and got lunch.

We've been enjoying the wildlife and have seen deer, squirrels, chipmunks, bunnies, ground hogs, and many different kinds of birds.  We fell asleep last night with the windows open and listening to the bullfrog chorus.  Heavenly!

This is the view from our porch.  There are guest rooms in the silo.

This is another view from our porch.  The garden is right in front of our cabin.  This makes for some good "bunny watching".  I watched one little guy having breakfast this morning!

I hope everyone is doing well!

Stay safe!  And relax.  We are!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

This is us on a fun trip to Las Vegas!  We renewed our wedding vows at the "Elvis Chapel o' Love" with Elvis presiding.  It was a great time.

I love you Golfer!  XOXO

A Lovely Day

Hey, all!

It's a lovely day here in Virginia.  At least right now.  It's supposed to rain later.  I was out on the patio this morning and had to take a picture.

 

We've had some work going on this week.  The exterior trim on the house was repaired where needed and then painted.  And the garage door and patio door trim was wrapped with a metal product that is supposed to never need painting.  It's looks very nice.

The furry kids are always unsettled when we have anyone here working.  Here's Finnigan keeping an eye on Steve doing the patio door.

The family is doing well.  NurseJ is getting ready to go back to work after maternity leave.  Bikini's house is busy with the kids doing various camps and activities.  The kids are all glad it's Summer vacation and no school.

Golfer and I celebrate our 46th anniversary on Monday!  I love you, Golfer!

Stay safe, everyone!

Hey, All!

First of all, my apologies for not posting a birthday wish for Nurse J on the 10th.  I remembered her birthday, called, texted, etc.  but somehow, didn't get to the blog post.  We love you!  She's had a busy year so far!

I hope all is well with everyone.  Golfer and I are doing okay.  He's had some medical tests recently and is starting a new medication which  hopefully will help with the swelling and pain in his hands.  Getting older is not for wimps, as I have often said.  I see my pain management doctor next week and have several things to discuss with him.  But overall, life goes on and life is good!

We had some repair work done on the house trim earlier in the week.  We'll meet with Jeff, our painter guy, this afternoon to get an estimate on the painting of the house trim.   As you all know, when you own a home there is always something to be done if you are trying to keep it nice and in good repair.

Yesterday was HOT !!!(around 100)  and extremely humid.  Golfer did the yard work early in the day and the yard was looking pretty good.  I had errands and grocery shopping to do. Then did a few things around the house.  About 5:30 it got really dark and the wind started.  BIG WIND!  Then it rained some.  Now we have yard full of bits and pieces to pick up, but no real damage.  I noticed this morning that on the next street one of our neighbors lost at least half a large tree that hit the corner of their house and did some minor damage.  Power was out for some.  Nurse J said theirs came back on about 3:00 a.m.  Fortunately, that wind and storm cooled things down a lot and today is only to be in the 70's.

Here's what the sky looked like as it was starting last evening.  Golfer took the picture.  The clouds were moving fast and very low.

We have heard from our friends in Colorado and so far they are okay.  One couple is actually in Texas right now and someone else is looking after their house.  We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.  I've been watching for an update on the Royal Gorge fire.  That was a favorite spot when we lived out there.  The girls didn't care for the huge bridge, but it was beautiful country.  I hope the area survives the fires.  Last year's fires took out the Flying W Ranch, another of our favorites.

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers!  Stay safe!

Updates

Hey, All!

I hope all is well with everyone.

Golfer and I are okay here.  No storm damage from Andrea.  We got a good breeze and a good amount of rain.  Williamsburg got hit with almost nine inches of rain and they had some flooding, as did the usual areas that flood with a heavy rain around here.  But we're good, but things are still damp and muggy.  I think it is supposed to rain a little more later this evening.

As you can tell by the previous posting, we got to babysit today!  We all had fun, even when Cutie Girl was not real happy and exercising her lungs rather loudly.  Nurse J and Cable Guy took BeyB to see "Star Trek Into Darkness". They all had a good time and Golfer and I got baby cuddles!

If the weather cooperates we are having some repair on the house trim done this week and then there will be painting.  Fortunately we have some good guys to do all this!

Stay safe!

Dreaming of Boldly Going Where No Baby Has Gone Before

Back from Vacation and Other Assorted News

Hey, all!

I hope you are all well and happy.  Golfer and I are doing well.  We've recently been on vacation and have been catching up on things since returning home.

Golfer and some of his friends play in the Military Retirees Golf Classic every year in Myrtle Beach.  This is a nice tournament and gives veterans a chance to see each other and play some golf.  It's always Memorial Day week.  The weather was almost perfect this year.  Bikini and her family take their vacation during this week and we get to spend time with them.  Although she told us that for the next two years they won't be able to go because of the kids' shifting school schedules.  We'll miss them.  Nurse J sometimes goes for just the weekend, but can't stay because school for BeyB isn't out until mid-June here in Virginia.

The one major drawback and awful issue with all of this is that Memorial Day weekend coincides with the annual Bike Fest in Myrtle Beach.  We have always known this and always dealt with it.  They have as much right to be there as the golf tournament people.  But this year was the worst ever. 

Here's a little background on Bike Fest:  The Harley Riders have their gathering earlier in May and are there for two weeks.  They ride their bikes into town and gather.  Sure, they like to party and visit, and there's  more traffic on the roads, but for the most part they try to behave.  And they do do some great charitable work.  Bike Fest, on the other hand, consists of people who haul their bikes to town.  It's mostly for show.  They then take up all the parking spots at the  hotel with the vehicles, trailers, and bikes.  This year they also took up parking spaces for their grills, which is against the hotel rules.  There was more noise, more bad language, more smoking, more drug use and more just plain bad behavior this year.  And for all intents and purposes, the hotel management appeared to just give up and do nothing to help the other guests.  I spoke with several people who were there for the first time and said they would never return.  I personally think the hotel should warn people about the Bike Fest conditions when they're making reservations.

Add to that the fact that housekeeping was poor to non-existent, at least three times the elevator lurched and dropped half a floor with us in it, and the front desk staff barely spoke English some days and were less than helpful.  Ownership changed a few years ago and things are not what they were.

So this year was the turning point.  We've decided to find another place to stay a bit away from the rowdy action. Golfer and I had time before we came home to look at a couple places.  They seemed very nice.  We're thinking of staying in one of them to try it out before the next tournament.

After the so-called bikers left town things got a bit better and we enjoyed the rest of the week.  Beach time, pool time, dinners out, etc.  And I got to go on the Sky Wheel!  I've wanted to go since they built it, but just never made it.  Bikini, Brief, the kids and I went one afternoon.  It was great!

So now we are home.  The laundry is done, things put away, house is cleaned, the yard work has been done, things are caught up.  Right now we're just hanging out in the house because of the storm warnings.  "Andrea" is moving in and it's pouring down rain.

Stay safe!