Thursday, May 29, 2008

Brandywine!

This is the cabin - I know it does not look like much, it's just a hunting cabin. This cabin contains a lot of my memories with my Papa and Granny. It was sad at first, wishing they could be there. It was the first time a new generation (Philip) had come. I know Papa would have loved that. One evening I was putting Philip's shoes on a shelf and next to his were a pair of Dad's shoes and next to his a pair of Papa's that no one had moved. I really missed him then too. The things I remember about Brandywine are: driving around the cabin in the car, eating meals like beans and cabbage that Granny had made, sleeping in full-size bunk beds (which at the time seemed like eight feet high to me), Granny warming her hands under Papa's armpits in the morning (Ha!), waking up to Papa making homemade biscuits with his hair all messed up, every time we passed John Reddin's Ridge - Papa telling us the story, going on hikes, and of course, shooting and fishing. I am very excited to share these things with Philip when he is older so he can have memories of Brandywine too.
When I was little, this is where we had to go to the bathroom - it was scary especially at night.
You just might be a redneck if you keep your lawn mowing equipment with your toilet.
You just might be a redneck if you turn your truck bed into a playpen in your front yard. (I couldn't let Philip in the grass because of the cacti.)
This is where Papa taught me to fish. I cannot go fishing without thinking about him. I didn't mind catching my own bait or baiting my own hook, but Papa always took the fish off of the hook for me. This time I did it on my own - I think he would be proud (even if it was a little bluegill).


This is a helgrimite - they live under the rocks in the fast flowing water, and are a favorite dinner for fish. While hunting them one time I found a snake. It took me about two leaps to get to the other side of the river.

Pa and Philip hung out for a while so I could do some fishin'.
Philip liked the fish and probably would have eaten it if I would have let him.
Erin caught a pregnant fish!
Three generations.
Awwww...Bryon and Erin!
Brandywine lake
COLD water!
A fun place to play in the water.
Sun setting on the lake.
It has probably been a long time since there was a baby at the cabin. We lived without a lot of the usual things - a bath tub, carpet, heat. Philip was a trooper and especially liked the baths in the sink.
Granny loved playing dominoes in the evening. So we had to play. This night, Bryon was having a little trouble getting his "train" started and he ended up with most of the dominoes and a bad attitude. Eventually, the rest of us got stuck (because Bryon had drawn all of the dominoes), so he ended up winning! Fun night!
The second place we went fishing.
Oh how beautiful!
Nobody caught anything this day, but it was great just being able to enjoy the scenery.
Philip tried to eat every rock....He was pretty busy!
This is the rifle range. I shot my first gun here (with Papa's help of course). It was always a lot of fun. One time we actually saw a black bear here. Thankfully we were all in the car!





Looks like Erin is shooting a big gun! Love the facial expression!
We always picked up brass for Uncle Timbo to reload. We found a lot for him this time!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Brandywine - Coming Home!

On the way home, we made a couple of stops. This is German Valley - we've never made it into the valley, but we have stopped a couple times and enjoyed the view!
Beautimis!
There are some little cabins you can rent - wouldn't that be fun?



Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. I wish I could remember how high we were. We drove up an incredibly winding road. What was amazing is that people live pretty high up on this mountain. There was a fixer - upper for sale if anyone is interested!! Bryon and Erin walking to the observation tower. Awwwwww!
It just goes on and on and on......
Look at the shadows from the clouds on the hills! This picture makes me want to sing, "Oh the West Virginia hills how majestic and how grand, with their summits bathed in glory...."
Isn't that wild how the trees grow?
Check out Pa's shades.
"Titanic"
Ha Ha....Look at Philip's hair. He loved the wind!
I had a lot of fun with Philip! We missed Daddy A LOT!


I would like to dedicate this section of the blog to Mr. Cameon (Mine and Bryon's sixth grade teacher). We actually stayed at the 4-U motel on our West Virginia trip. It was a great experience. We also stopped at Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks on our sixth grade trip. It is really special to have memories to look back on. I'm excited to share them with Philip when he is older!
There use to be an old swimming pool (it didn't have any water in it when we stayed there).
I remember waking up and hearing sheep "baaing" from the back door of the room!



Lastly, we stopped and hiked up to Seneca Rocks. It was a beautiful, hot day. I started off with Philip on me then after we went up 102 stairs, I happily passed him over to Bryon. Even though Dad, Bryon and me had been here before it was still amazing. Hiking reminded me how much I enjoyed being in nature and absorbing all God has created. He is amazing!
Bryon took this picture - Isn't it beautiful?

The view is amazing!
We had to climb rocks to get to the very top! Philip didn't make it that far - maybe next time.
There is a similar picture of Dad when he was at Seneca with Bryon's sixth grade class.
There's Erin!
Thank goodness for Uncle Bryon - Philip would not have made it up to the top if it wasn't for him.
Bryon was freaking out a little bit during this picture!

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Eating a popscicle!

Philip loves being outside!
What is this?


Mmm Good!

Almost gone.


Discovering grass.