Sunday, October 14, 2007

Pumpkin Patch


This weekend the family took a trip to Hickory Nut Gap Farm where we gathered our halloween decor-- pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns.
First, though, we visited the horse and pigs. Then we walked across the creek to the corn maze, where we didn't get off track or lost once. Lexie enjoyed the "toddler maze" too. The only down side--75 degree weather is too sweaty for October!
When we were all done, we picked out 3 pumpkins in the "pumpkin patch," washed them in the creek, and brought them home. Oh, and don't forget, a half peck of locally grown Rome apples-- crunchy and sweet!

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

House On Our Street Burns


We got home from work on Monday and found TV crews, fire investigators and the skeleton of a smoking burnt down house at the top of our street. It was the home at 5 Grove Garden, that was built directly behind another home.
Our neighbors said they heard a huge explosion at around noon and the house was fully engulfed. No one knew much about the man who lived there, Eddie Williams, 46. He was air-lifted to the burn center in Winston Salem and later died. All of us are shocked and dismayed, it was a very sad day. It was actually a TV camera guy who helped pull the man out and away from the home.
Now there's a black skeleton of a home left. Several nearby homes had their siding melt because the fire was so hot. Some of us worry it may have been drugs or a meth lab that exploded, but we really have no idea. Fire investigators today had a dog sniffing around and think there may be evidence of arson. The explosion and burning happened so quickly, there seems to be little to no evidence left. (Photo from www.WLOS.com)

Asheville Citizen-Times story on burning home and Photo Gallery

Tennessee Smokies


Over the weekend of September 29th-30th the family went camping in the Great Smoky Mountains. Jim took the day off of work on Friday and we headed out about 2:00pm on our way to the Big Creek campground. Big Creek is in North Carolina but only has 12 sites which require a 100-300 ft hike from the parking lot. When we got to Big Creek it was full so we drove through the park into Tennesse and landed at the large Cosby Campground.

Cosby is a very cool campground set back in the woods from the main road. It has a large parking area for picnickers and another large parking area for hikers. There are many hikes from the park and you can reach the AT with a decent day hike. The larger parking areas were nice because we decided to bring the bikes (Lexie rides in a seat on the back of Jim's bike). There were plenty of sites at Cosby and we got our pick of a few good ones.

We setup camp and relaxed Friday night. On Saturday we got up early and cooked a pancake breakfast then we biked around the campground. After a rest (pulling an extra 30 lbs on the bike was a workout!) we decided to hike to Henwallow Falls and have lunch. Henwallow is a 2.2 mile trail one-way to some scenic falls, however with the lack of rain the trail should have been renamed "Henwallow Trickle". We brought the kid backpack and Pam and Jim swapped Lexie on the way up. Lexie enjoyed the ride and even caught a nap on the hike while Pam and Jim ached their way up the moderate slope toting the extra weight. We got to the "falls" and enjoyed our lunch and some views and then hiked back down. Lexie decided to try the hiking business out but managed to face-plant after tripping on some roots and it was back in the pack for her. All-in-all it was a fun hike and quite a workout!!

At night we setup a nice fire and had smores...Lexie even got some in her hair. On Sunday we cooked a large breakfast to clean out our cooler and drove home via Gatlinburg, Tennessee. If you have not been to Gatlinburg it can be described in one word - CHEESY....no make that two words - CLAUSTROPHOBIC and CHEESY! We stayed long enough to get lunch at a restaurant, have Jim buy a cool leather hat and for Lexie to ride a few rides and play a few games, then we hit the road. Good riddance if you ask me, you only need to see a place like Gatlinburg once.

(Pictures to come)