I have really been lagging behind with new entries of late, as I am sure you know. Trust that I have not forgotten about Colonel Crump, but rather, we have been on the go for the past few weeks since we returned from Minnesota. We now find ourselves in our old stomping grounds of Roanoke, after a quick four days back in Bowling Green with the Meltzer grandparents. As we came to the end of our eight hour drive from BG to our old hometown, we eagerly scanned the mountainous skyline for the infamous neon star atop Mill Mountain. It feels great to be back, though quite weird to pass on by our old house on Albemarle. We are doing the things we used to love (and still do), and are introducing Gus to them along the way... Like hiking up Mill Mountain, eating gourmet grilled cheese at Pop's Soda Fountain and walking along the Roanoke River on the greenway. There are also things we are having to go out and do on our own while one stays behind and watches over Gus, like bike rides on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and trail runs on the mountain. The other day Josh went up and visited the spot where we scattered Sally's ashes last summer.
We our staying with our great friends Eric (a regular reader and comment contributer to this blog) and Nicole and their little gal Aspen. We got to witness Eric produce about 100 liters of homemade Ginger ale for the wedding we all attended this past weekend: Angie and Peter. The couple have dated for years, and much to our excitement, they finally tied the knot in a Quaker ceremony out near the Peaks of Otter this past Saturday. What was distinct about this ceremony was that there was not an officiant. Instead, Pete and Angie began with their vows they had written for each other, and then we sat in silence until various members of the congregation stood to contribute a message to the couple. Because of this, the ceremony was a distinct and personal, and by its end so much had been revealed about how wonderful this pair is. Afterward we all headed over to a nearby park where we were treated to Eric's Ginger ale along with fresh tomatoes, cukes, squash and melon from Angie's dad's garden, along with pasta and potatoes and chicken. Music was provided by a local bluegrass trio, the Black Twig Pickers, and later in the evening the bride and groom, along with several of their friends performed musical numbers. We drove back to Eric and Nicole's under a full moon on a warm night, as Aspen and Gus snoozed in the back seat, with sounds of their light little snores keeping us company along the way.
The North Cross gang at Angie and Pete's wedding
Dinner!
The Macy-Landon's and Gus and Aspen
It has been great fun to see old friends, many of whom have added to their families while we have been away... Like Katie and Jeff and their firecracker of a son Sully. We watched Joy and Richard's 2-year-old scale the kitchen cabinets in search of more Captain Crunch. 10-month-old Apen's eyes widen and she coo's when she comes within range of Gus. Beth helped calm a distraught Gus as we ascended Mill Mountain. We had dinner with a group of great old friends last night in the company of all their wee ones playing under water misters in the back yard. Despite the fact we have been away for a few years, we slipped right back in where we left off. We sure have missed all these good people.
Tomorrow we will add to Gus' fast-growing list of visited states as we head down to Asheville, North Carolina and stay at Gus' grandparents' cabin up atop a mountain. We can't wait to dip the little bugger's toes in a lake once again.
Aspen and Gus
We are here in Asheville, up on Flat Top Mountain at the Meltzer cabin. It is mighty nice to be here, as the temps are cooler, there is a little lake down the way, and trails on the mountain are plentiful (of course it is nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Meltzer too!). I took advantage of Gus’ naptime to head down near the lake and tried my hand at some nature photography.
Aspen and Gus
Below follows a little re-cap of the past few weeks
My brother-in-law brought two kayaks to the Warp abode, and we have enjoyed paddling to the various sand bars near my folks' place.
Gus was in his first Fourth of July Kiddie Parade in Moose Lake
Gus' cousins had the chance to do a little bonding with him
We picnicked with all the kiddos in the backyard
All the cousins, sans Natalie, gathered in the sun porch with the grandparents
An intense card game with the kids
Gus has been sporting the g-diapers with success. We realized it appears as though we have monogrammed Gus' diapers with his initial.
And now on to the many faces of Gus. Our cameras are covering his every move, and below follow some of my favorite picks.
Gus with his great-grandma Ollie
In order to accurately represent this little one, I thought I had better include a couple of crying shots.
Gus has been meeting my good friends like Angie...
Amanda
The Hart-Bennett Family
We brought him to a BBQ restaurant where the owner (pictured above) went over the menu with us.
Gus has loved cuddling with his grandma
Down on Sand Lake
Skyping with his aunt Emily, who is living in Ghana
Taking a snooze with grandma Sandi while car shopping
The new car purchase. So long old Subaru.
Watching the Tour d'France with his papa.
9:00 pm sunsets
