Trails

And Sheryl hiking....

Reflections

Here is part of a trail that Sheryl and Linda and I hiked.

There is so much about our sisters' week that I have forgotten to share. First day, I asked my sisters what they would like for hors d'oeuvres? They all looked at each other, laughing. They indicated that only I eat hors d'oeuvres and they only eat them when they are with me or at one of our homes. We had them almost every night and they laughed their butts off.

And then, when hiking with Linda, I almost stepped on a copperhead snake. She was quite impressed that I didn't go all girly, faint and/or run in the other direction. Ha...I can be an outdoorswoman...see me roar!

I lost two pounds while away which is amazing. It had to have been the water aerobics. Bought some weights and am getting in the pool every day to continue that workout...especially the arms.

And while at Linda's house, we moved some furniture so Ned can navigate the house better in his wheel chair. Now, Linda, the nurse, has had some interesting experiences and travels but nothing prepared me for the several foot long/high pink pig sitting on her hearth. This piggy is a bank but truly is unusual...not the normal living room feature found in the south.

The trip to Costco was memorable. We drove into town and when we arrived, Sheryl wanted gas. She unfortunately had no money, no credit cards and no driver's license with her. We searched the car, finding pockets of stray money but not the $400 she said she had. Back to the condo, searching commenced and finally...bingo, she found her staff. My youngest sister is very organized but a tad messy. And then, back into town to Costco where we bought fruit and muffins to create "trail magic."

We went on our last day to a section of the Appalachian Trail where we left fruit high in the tree so the bears wouldn't get it. While arranging the food, we ran into two through hikers: Bubbles, a very unbubbly young man and his wife, Birdy, who got her name from waving off offending birds. Hikers get named as they go along by others and they refer to each other in this anonymous way. Interesting and both people had been on the trail awhile with no shower. Very friendly and very thankful to eat fresh fruit and muffins. Apparently, those who have hiked the Trail go back and leave treats for those who are on the trail later. I like this "giving back."

Made my reservations for Kenya today and am trying quickly to get ready for that trip.

Ned and Kyle

Hmmm...have the photos in the wrong order...Ned and Kyle are below and it is very hard to see but Ned is holding Cady, their tiny miniature doggie. And here is Lynn with Kobe (named after Kobe Bryant and Cady). Kobe is the brindle colored doggie and Cady, the black and brown. This is the last photo shot of Lynn and we were sad to leave her so with her family and yet, so alone and with so much to shoulder.

Music

Here is Kyle, Sheryl's son, playing a flute.

Linda had to leave us a couple of days early due to her husband, Ned's having an issue with his Parkinson's. So, we went down to Orange to visit Lyn and Ned at their home and we went out to lunch. Here is Ned with Kyle.

Sisters' Week

Left to right, oldest to youngest: Teresa, Linda, Cindy and Sheryl.

We have had a wonderful week here in Massanutten, Virginia. The mountains are glorioous, the weather a bit chilly and the wildlife very special indeed. We have seen fox, ground hogs, possum, turtles and deer. No bear, but there are a ton here, or so we are told.

Best is that we have had time to catch up on each other's children (now adults, mostly) and also on friends and grandchildren. We have laughed and cried together as we shared stories of our trials and our tribulations as well as the family successes.

More photos coming of my nephew, Kyle, the only young person with us. Kyle plays native American flutes very, very well and I cannot express how tranquil it is to come back from a walk and hear the flute music reflected off the mountain and in synch with the nature surrounding us.

Sisters' Week

My sisters and I are in Massanutten, Virginia for a week of reconnecting, laughs and time to enjoy each other. Today, my sister, Linda and I, went on a 4 mile hike in the mountains...rocky, steep and altogether wonderful. Linda hiked the whole Appalachian Trail, much of it on her own in 2005. She was being kind to me today. We saw deer, a scarlet tanager, gopher and I almost stepped on a copperhead snake...just a three footer! And then, this afternoon, I saw the most adorable spotted fawn near our condo. We just don't see deer in Florida and since there is no hunting here, the deer are very visible and not easily spooked.

We later went to the clubhouse and gym, using the sauna, weights and machines. Feeling very virtous and Lord knows...all of us need the exercise. Went into town (well, Elkton cannot be called a "town") and shopped at the Food Lion. Quite a dive with some of the most colorful, yet friendly help, I have ever seen in a grocery store.

Linda has to work tomorrow and will be back Monday. Cyn leaves tomorrow morning and Sheryl and I are planning to do the hike together. I would expect we will have a rather laid back day and I plan to catch up on all of the health related articles I was sent by ICFJ...need to get ready for the upcoming Africa trip.

All in all...fun day. I spent quite a bit of time looking at the mountains. I could live here...oh, I could also live in Colombia and about 16 other places. What I am learning is...I want to live somewhere other than Florida, and pretty soon.