Lynn started the planning for this July get away back in November and we found a Air B n B in WV that would be a reasonable trip for the majority.  Brian being the exception.  But he agreed to visit with us in TN and travel to the reunion with us making it reasonable for him as well.  As the date approached scheduling conflicts arose for some of the participants.  We agreed to forge forward with a reduced attendance.  It may even have been good since the weather turned unusually hot and the house was experiencing a significant water shortage issue.  Those in attendance were more experienced desert campers and backpackers and functioned more favorably with water restrictions.

We enjoyed a day at Snowshoe Ski resort including riding the chair lift, hiking around the lake, swimming in Jackson Lake, the climbing wall and Bungy/trampoline jumping for the younger set.

We enjoyed a rainy hike to Red Spruce Knob and an amazing hike through Beartown State Park. Then the final adventure of the trip was our ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad.All seemed impressed with both the scheduled events and the scenery of the Mountain State.

Homeward travel went smoothly for all and now it is back to the everyday life until we meet again

With help from Brian we continue the cleaning and staining of the cabin.  It is going well and all the basic areas have been cleaned and pre-coated with sealer.  Staining is weather dependent and weather has not been cooperating.  Prior to out WV family reunion, we get the 3rd side completed.  Just the back side to complete then the dreaded(high) dormer sides.  They will be a challenge.  Looks Great so far.

One of the highlight adventures was the “Lost Sea Adventure”.  The sea is 140 feet underground and is up to 75 feet deep.  The adventure includes touring the cave to and from the sea and a boat ride on the sea.  Great fun and little to no anxiety was evident even when the tour did the prerequisite lights out example of DARK.

A hike around the National Forest Indian Boundary Lake included sightings of Trolls, Ogres and deer with some gymnastic challenges. Aunt Carol joined us.

Nana and Willa did many crafts and projects during her visit.

There was a spirited Bocce game.

Willa helped Granpa with leaf cleanup and driveway pothole repair around the property. She ran the shovel, rake and blower.

Willa attended her first car race at the Smokey Mountain Raceway, a short dirt track.  She chose a particular car to root for in the feature race and had it not suffered and early flat tire it might have won the event.  Even with the repair and associated start at the back of the pack a 3rd place finish was managed.  Nice recovery.

She watched with interest as the well pump was pulled and replaced with a well drilling rig.  After that she reminded me of touring the excavator during plumbing work in Kingston.  Lots of life experiences.

Near the end of her stay a large tree lost it’s footing and toppled over the driveway and leaned on another large tree.  It was professionally removed after her visit was over.

Early Monday we hit the road, Kent with the UHaul and Lynn and Willa in the Colorado. Lynn managed the multiple restroom stops of our littlest traveler until well after we stopped for lunch.  Then it was my turn.  So Willa joined me in the UHaul and we continued south.  We arrived at the house with several more stops than planned.  Wila identified a broken tree along the driveway as our alligator tree.  We even got a few items off the truck that night and settled in for a good nights sleep. Tuesday a light rain hampered unloading a bit but we were done before noon and off to return the UHaul.

Timing is working out to have Willa’s spring break trip include the new house.  And we can get some furniture out of storage in PA.  Looks like 2 trips with U-Haul trailers or one trip with a U-Haul truck.  So we get an offer from LouAnn and Molly to entertain Willa while we load. The weather has other plans an 2-3 inches of rain are falling on loading day.  Everyone graciously concedes a repeat for tomorrow when the weather is better.  Loading goes well and the larger truck is full to nearly overflowing.  Yes, you can store items stacked higher than you can transport them. Glad we did not try the 2 trailer option.

We are up early and it is 34 and raining when the alarm goes off.  A quick meal and we start winterization of the motorhome.  Forecast is very cold for the next few weeks so, we put the compressor inside the motorhome (to spare the neighbors some noise) and blow the water out of the system then install the antifreeze and dump the tanks.  All done and on the road by 8am.  It all goes pretty quickly but we are cold from the adventure. As we travel on, the rain and fog continue and there are vehicles irregularly parked off the interstate.  Looks like we are following the slick rainy weather north in the Shenandoah Valley.  Traffic associated with wet road and accidents along the way delay our arrival in New Salem about an hour.  The next day’s travel is much nicer and we arrive in Kingston without delay.  Greetings are heartwarming and make the trip really worth it.