I love the mountains

Above : View from Blue Ridge Trail
Left: View from camp



The leaves in the mountains this past weekend were just beginning to show signs of color around the edges. We celebrated our aniversary last week by traversing parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed to camp the rest of the weekend with our church. The skies were a perfect blue, perhaps the classic "Carolina" blue, and we only had a brief rain shower on Saturday evening. The same perfect weather we had for our wedding 5 years ago. It was a wonderful weekend break during the semester and I really had a difficult time getting back into school mode this morning.


Mark and our friend relaxing on the porch

















The highlight of retreat weekend is usually venturing into the metropolis of Laurel Springs to check out Woody's store. Blondie (the proprietor) LOVES to haggle and "make you a deal" on anything from old records to stuffed birds and baby carriages. There is really not an accurate description for the place - you just have to go there. Behind Woody's is a "campground" of sorts and a burnout pit for motorcycles.





























This is from the Woody's "annex" across the street from the main store. This is where all of her larger furniture and what-not items are located. Hey - make her an offer and she'll make you a deal!!

Hiking on the Blue Ridge Trail

Our cabin for our anniversary.

Pilot Mountain from the B&B breafast room.