In life it's not where you go but who you are with……Charles Shultz
Vagabond Tales- Stay a Week in Rocky Fork
Wytheville, Virginia —September 8-15
September 15
We met our friends, David and Ruthann Gasaway for a restful week of camping …only two hours away from our home. The weather was spectacular, the meals were yummy, the games were challenging, the views were thrilling, the hikes showed us the amazing beauty of God’s world, and the company of friends was a true gift!
These pine forests were majestic with the sun breaking through.Wish we could find the results of the study. But then…The trees have taken over the forests so that may be enough proof of results.
🥾Hiking
Once again…I am fascinated by the varied types of fungus along the woodland trails. At this time of year, the flowers are few and far between.We found evidence of a homestead long since taken over by the forest.A little ringed- tail snake. Use the pine needles as your measuring stick.Years ago Rocky Fork planted a plant between the campsites…hoping to grow privacy. They chose the Autumn Olive. It has done the job it was asked to do and then some. It has taken over the understory of the campground. I had heard they were good to make jelly and pies with but had never heard of making cookies with them. Thanks to Pinterest we found a recipe. They had great flavor but I think I would like them better it their seeds weren’t so big. Made for a chewy cookie!
Delicious Meals
Trust me…I did my share of cooking but I have no proof of it in pictures! Have you ever cut corn off the cob using a Bundt pan? Super easy and the bowl catches all of the kernels. I was making a street corn salad recipe and I had lots of help! The top right picture is Harry with his Birthday Blueberry Pie!Harry even had flags for his Birthday. It is a tradition we have at home so he was surprised to have them here. Now the two lanterns are the hot finds of the week! One of our fellow campers had all sorts of these solar lanterns made from candy dishes for sale. Ruthann and I decided to support their efforts. It was a joke the whole week because they would only stay lit for 30 minutes once it got dark. Harry and Dave think we squandered our twenty dollars. Do you agree?
Thrilling Sights
Certainly not the world’s largest pencil…(I looked it up.) but it is the biggest I have seen!Sunday we attended our home church via the internet! We were excited to hear our granddaughter bring part of the sermon to us. Student Take Over Sunday!We climbed the fire tower…Ten flights. On 9/11 the volunteer firemen climbed the tower 11 times…sometimes carrying children who were afraid to climb it alone. Top left…Our truck down in the parking lot looking from the top of the tower.The only scary part of the climb is that once you were at the top the wind was blowing so hard, I felt like I had to hold on or be carried away! Dave barely kept his hat on!We introduced the Gasaway’s to several new games, one of which was Rubber Chicken throwing! Our roosters ruled the roost on that game.
Tonight we are in Bear Creek Lake Campground in Cumberland, Virginia. Dave and Ruthann headed home this morning while Harry and I are headed up to visit a few New England States for the next two weeks that we haven’t camped in before.
We still love it! Once the fresh corn is out, I may have to give it a rest!😍. Hope you are resting well tonight!
What a great overview of your week with friends. Felt like you just got up there. Great pictures and stories. Love you guys. Dave and Ruthann look terrific. What a fabulous 4 you guys are.
hkdorr 
What a great time! Friends, fellowship, food and God’s creation all around you. Be safe on your travels the next couple weeks. Love you
7 states in two weeks…I think my trip planner is a bit crazy!
Yum, the corn salad! I’ve been making it and it’s been a treat well-received!
We still love it! Once the fresh corn is out, I may have to give it a rest!😍. Hope you are resting well tonight!
What a great overview of your week with friends. Felt like you just got up there. Great pictures and stories. Love you guys. Dave and Ruthann look terrific. What a fabulous 4 you guys are.
It went by very quickly!