We Biked the River Walk

On Sunday afternoon we finally did what I've been wanting to do for a long while - we biked the River Walk from the Chicamauga Dam to Coolidge Park and back - about 17 miles.

It was a perfect fall day for it - sunny and upper 60's. We spent about 2 hours doing it, including "stop and enjoy" time and picture taking along the way.

While I woulda' been happy to stop at the middle of the bridge where we enjoyed watching lots of boaters below, Randy wanted to bike on down to the park and around it down by the water - to say he went clear to Coolidge Park. I knew that would add a lot more time on the bike seat, and require more energy pedaling back uphill a ways. You can guess who won. . .

Next time we want to take a picnic along. Sunday evening was the CA Fall Festival so we were planning to enjoy chili and cornbread there at 5, and we had eaten a late breakfast since we had our fasting blood work done at 9 to see how we did from the beginning of our CHIP class to the end. We're still awaiting those results. So all we had was water on the trip. And we didn't have to carry it along with us even.

Autumn Glory

The colors here now are so gorgeous, in spite of the wind and rain that brought a lot of leaves down Friday. We put the camera to work this weekend capturing some of it. We wish it could last forever, but then would we appreciate it like we do each fall? Probably not. This maple is in our back yard -wow!

So we'll just enjoy it while it's here and get out in it as much as possible - whether it be walking up and down our street, or cleaning out the flower beds like I started today. My begonias and mums are still in bloom, but it was time to cut back the hydrangeas, peonies, roses and hostas. Sad day, but the frost turned the greenery black - so it wasn't so pretty to look at these last few days.

At LAST, Pictures of our Visit with Amy

Here she is, with her hair cut. Beautiful as ever I say!

It was windy and cool at Fair Hill. It's their favorite place to walk, bike, ride horses, or jog and enjoy the woods, trails, river, etc.

I love this picture of Randy and Amy.

The covered bridge you can see behind us.

Her chemistry classroom at Cecil

Getting a tour of her A & P lab

at Cecil Community College

Friday evening at Coxes - it was so good to hear her play while we relaxed around the fire after our haystack supper

Artie's "house" out behind Coxes'

Nikki looks on as Jeremy goes out to see Artie

Jeremy on Artie - Amy is holding his treats behind her

Her '94 Dodge pick-up that she calls "Pokey"

Here's Pokey - you should hear him sing and see him dance!
And he never falls off the dashboard. I wish I'd put on such a performance when somebody pushes MY buttons :)

Sabbath evening at the river/marina with Amy & Jeremy

There's no better setting anywhere for pictures than around the water

Tim, Karen & Caleb at the Fall Festival

This picture I took coming home last Sunday. This cloud with a silver lining was a reminder to us that behind every cloud the sun is ALWAYS shining.

Fall Break with Amy

On Thursday, Oct. 19, we headed to Maryland to visit with Amy. The colors in Virginia were awesome. We stayed with my cousin, Tim, and enjoyed the time we spent with them very much. Friday we were shocked at the new "do" when we first saw Amy - she had her hair cut and donated it to Locks of Love. Some think she looks older with the new haircut. We liked it and applaud her for her generosity. (Look at the post above this one to see the pictures that go with this narrative. Blogger strikes out again!)

After her PET scan at the hospital, we went to Season's for a sub and then she showed us one of their favorite "haunts" - 6600 acres of God's great outdoors ~ woods, trails, river ~ where they enjoy mountain biking and horseback riding. There's a turf race track and barns for horses too. Amy and Jeremy and his folks participated there a couple weeks ago in a Breast Cancer Walk.

She showed us around the college she and Jeremy attend there. It was late enough in the afternoon that students were scarce.

We finally got to see Amy's new-to-her set of wheels that she got in late September. We've been guessing but hadn't hit on what she had gotten. She'd baited us with a picture of the license plate but that only clued us in that she'd gotten her own wheels. After we saw "Pokey" Friday afternoon, I remembered that she did say a couple years back that someday she'd like to have a pick-up. It's sure been kept by its previous owner in immaculate condition inside and out. What a deal she got!

Sabbath afternoon she took us for a ride - I haven't been in such a comfortable pick-up before. She even let us drive it - it handles very nicely too. "Pokey" rides on the dashboard and you should hear him sing - what a swinger!

Being by the river at the marina was fun - I pointed out a few "boats" to Randy that would be very adequate for our retirement home. It was a gorgeous fall afternoon - not as windy as Friday had been fortunately. Back at the Coxes, we watched Amy and Jeremy play with Nikki and Artie awhile before supper.

Sunday morning we went by the church to say good-bye. They were having a Fall Festival and Amy & Jeremy spent the day providing horse rides on Artie. The fire truck had the attention of the kids especially and made for a nice backdrop for a family picture of Tim and Karen and Caleb before we headed back home. Our visit went way too fast but we're so glad we could have the time we did together with Amy.

Cumberland Falls & Fires

Cold & clear sure do go together. The blue sky was wonderful, but the clear sky at night made for some LONG almost sleepless nites for some of us, and others found it hard to stay asleep through the 29 degree temperatures both nights. We were wishing for mummy bags like the girls had! Next time. . .

Nevertheless, it was a nice getaway and chance to relax in the great outdoors with Ryan, Carrie, Jaclyn and "her Ryan" Knight.

We were spoiled on this trip - thanks to Jaclyn taking our tent to set up before we got there after dark. How nice driving up and finding we had the best site in the campground according to the park office who told Carrie and Ryan people fight over the site we got (even though it was the longest walk to the bathroom. . .).

The fire sure felt good - and we weren't even willing to go as far away as the picnic table for some meals or for games Sat. night. (See Carrie cooking!)

We took a rigorous hike Sabbath to Eagle Falls which also gave us nice views of Cumberland Falls.

The steps got old - there were too many to count! But the view up high was nice of the falls.

Sunday after our pancake breakfast, we took down camp. We took time for another walk along the river, this time the opposite direction and flatter terrain. It was fun being back where we spent part of our honeymoon 31 years ago. The cabin we stayed in was gone or in hiding. It appeared they bulldozed and rebuilt plusher cabins.

The DuPont Lodge (behind us in this picture) was still the same - with a lovely lobby and deck out behind with the great view of the Cumberland River below.

And the pool was the same - even though it looks crusty since it's closed for the winter. It brought back great memories of our family vacation here - this one's for you, Ruthie!

More of Jeff's Wedding Pictures

We got so many good pictures, so I decided to post a few more. It's hard to choose between all we took!

Notice the groom and groomsmen's unusual attire on being introduced at the Reception - are those White Sox hats/jerseys?!

At the Reception - what a wonderful day it was. Ruthie & Milton looked as proud as punch, as they should.

Jeff & Sara's Wedding

It was a gorgeous day for their wedding Sunday at the Hinsdale SDA Church. There she is!

Milton had the dedication prayer at the end of the ceremony that Howard and Roberta performed so nicely.

Ruthie's enlarged family with Mom & Coleman after the wedding.

They had mid-70's and blue sky - perfect for the pictures taken outside afterwards at Legge Park.

Their wedding party seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the limo ride and all the picture taking.

Then in a gazebo beside the reception hall they exchanged their personal vows.

They look as happy as can be I'd say. They're enjoying a Cancun honeymoon as I blog.

Ryan had to leave right after the wedding since he had classes to teach at 7:30 Mon. morning about 7 hours away. But it was fun having him around at least that long. We missed Amy and wished she had been there too.