Tomorrow (Tuesday) we’ll head north. But for now, we’ll take in more of the warmer weather.
Pics from our last hike around the park. It was a cloudy day in the morning, then cleared up later in the day
Thought this was interesting as we walked through the nature trail. Need to remember to ask Linda if they have these birds and whether they drill holes in a straight line.
This is a live oak tree. Learned that the salt from the sea and the wind make these trees and other trees and bushes bend along the beach.
Biked one last time into South Myrtle Beach. Nice bike lanes. Then a last fire before heading north.
Ahhhhh, this is the perfect time to be here in Myrtle Beach - warm but not hot. So glad grandson, Nathan was invited to the Super 32 here.
The campground is huge, over 300 acres with over 300 camping spots. But a portion of the campground is maintained with trails as it was before it became a camping Mecca. Had a nice hike through the wooded area.
And then to finish off our walk ... a walk on the beach.
We wanted to see where the venue was so we packed the dogs in the bike trailer and off we went.
It was about 7 miles one way to the venue but it was flat and easy riding.
Our last full day in Smallwood SP before we head farther south to Myrtle Beach to support Nathan as he wrestles in the Super 32.
On our hike this morning, we saw some interesting things - more fungus and Maryland’s version of goldenrod. .
When we came to the tobacco barn on our walk, we noticed it was open. Inside was a very well done history lesson of the tobacco trade in Maryland and more about General Smallwood.
Farther on our walk, we came to these dilapidated buildings. Don’t know anything about why they are here though.
We had some time so went for a bike ride. Their roads have wide bike lanes. When we come again, we want to explore the rails to trails that is about 5 miles from the campground.
Kya and Caleb has us over to their house for dinner, pizza on the grill. Yum, yum. One of my favorite foods. Then we sat around their fire pit and got to know Caleb a little more.
This is our last day with them. I’m sure they are ready for a break from us but we really enjoyed seeing their house and spending time with them.
Our granddaughter, Kya, recently got married in the family barn. What a treat that was. To see the over 100-year structure transformed from dust and dirt to a wedding venue was something to behold. Kya’s dad, John, started cleaning out the space to store his landscape equipment in April. Suddenly, Kya saw a place to hold their wedding. I’m sure mom, dad and Pappy Cigar we’re watching from above and approved and loved that Kya saw something beautiful in an old, dirty barn.
All these happy memories also means that we lost our downstairs houseguest. Kya and Caleb moves to Indian Head MD to live. Caleb is in the marines and currently this is where he is stationed.
So what do Bill and I decide? Get the RV ready for a visit to Indian Head. We are headed there now and then on to Myrtle Beach for our grandson’s competition in the Super 32. More on both visits later.
Storytelling time with Barbara McBride-Smith is always a treat. Not only is she a lovely individual, she makes us laugh and feel good. Here’s a link to a story she shared with us at the 2019 Festival - Bathing the Cat.
Next up is Bill Lepp. He sometimes tell stories about his life that make us laugh out loud.
Hopefully you can tell why we look forward to this Festival every year. There are many other storytellers and different types of stories and some with music. Some make us laugh. Some make us think and some bring history to life, like Alton Chung, a Japanese American.
Josh Goforth and David Holt entertains us with music and stories.
If we’ve whetted you’re appetite and you’re interested to hear more, search on YouTube for International Storytelling Festival. Or if you’d like to join us in Jonesborough in 2021, let us know. We’d love to show you around.
This time of year takes us to Tennessee to visit with good friends, Terry and Sandy Countermine and the International Storytelling Festival. Unfortunately COVID came to town and is still around, so this year the Festival is virtual. Will be very different but we’ll be with friends to watch the pre-recorded stories. If you’re interested, I can give you information on tickets.
Before we get to Tennessee, we stopped at a Harvest Host in Draper, VA for the night. This is a little village that has has a mercantile store with an eclectic array of small businesses and one of those is a coffee shop. It’s also a small wedding venue. The New River Rails to Trail runs right through that little village. We hiked twice for several miles.
Now to get on the road for Terry and Sandy’s and the virtual Storytelling Festival.
Jonesborough has a very Vibrant downtown. Some pics from around town.
Terry is running for Alderman so we attended his kick-off
Historical Christopher Taylor house Weaving loom inside the Christopher Taylor House.
Condos downtown make a nice photo
The virtual audience is ready for the Storytelling Festival to begin.
Storytelling has begun. Here’s John McCutcheon telling his story through music.
