Spring must be around the corner...all of us wanted to get outside for some fresh air this weekend and decided to ride up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for some hiking.
Even in winter with the barren trees and hardly a car in sight, the Parkway is a beautiful drive. However, everyone else must have had spring fever, too, as we found some of the hiking parking lots full.
So we bypassed the more popular Humpback Rocks area and continued on to a hiking trail that Jonathan had scouted out for us.
Here's the gang just before the hike...yes, excited doggies love hiking, too! Since I'm not a hiker, I stayed in the van knitting away on the kitchen towel I posted about last week--lots accomplished.
After the hike we drove down the road a bit to find a turning around spot and happened upon this beautiful view of the Valley.
Rock Point Overlook seemed very familiar to me...I thought I remembered it from years ago when we didn't live in this area but vacationed here instead because we loved the Valley so much. So I came home and scouted around in some scrapbooks to find the picture I was remembering.
This picture was dated 1991 ~ 20 years ago! Oh, my! What a bunch of little cunnings! Where has the time gone?
Okay...enough reminiscing...on with the rest of the post.
Earlier on Sunday for our morning worship, old friends who were in the area stopped by for church with us and for lunch. What an enjoyable time getting to visit with them.
Hannah kept company with the six children at the nook table and enjoyed catching up with them.
And here are the parents of this delightful crew! We posted at Thanksgiving when we visited their beautiful home.
What an enjoyable Lord's Day. We always love having friends here!
** The family has let me know that they think this blog is turning into a "quilting blog." So I'm trying to remedy that situation with this post! However...all those quilters who do enjoy the quilting posts...stay tuned. :)
~Deb
Look what a difference 20 years makes! :D We're ready for spring here, too, but it's not warm yet. The locals say it should be soon!
A quilting blog? I didn't think you had too much quilting on here! LOL
Posted by: Susan | Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 04:46 PM
How cute all those little ones were. Tom looked like a teenager. You are so right that the years go by so fast. We should treasure each day the Lord gives us.
Glad you enjoyed your company. It's always nice to have guests over for some fellowship.
Victoria
Posted by: victoria | Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 07:11 PM
Your picture was taken when I was expecting /having Allison.Where did the time go
Posted by: Tammy | Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 09:33 PM
I love Jonathan and Sarah's faces on that older picture! :-) I look forward to hiking in the mountains this spring! Did you finish your dish towel?
Posted by: Dorothy | Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 09:42 PM
I loved the past and present picture, so neat. I enjoy your blog, whatever the topic :)
Laura
Posted by: Laura | Tuesday, March 01, 2011 at 11:12 PM
Absolutely adorable! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful memory with all of us. Our whole family hovered around the pc to see the sweet photos. Time does fly, doesn't it!?!?
Blessings to you all from NY!
Posted by: Kathy W | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Hi Deb!
You have such a sweet family and your children are wonderful mentors to the younger set. We like Sunday afternoon hikes too and are at the tail-end of the Blue Ridge Parkway in our area of SC and that is on our "to do" list to explore one day soon.
Have a good day!
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Spivey | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 09:09 AM
The "then and now" pictures are great!
Posted by: Amy, a redeemed sheep | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 10:21 AM
Thanks for the fun update. We are still awaiting warm weather in Chicago. Hiking looks like lots of fun. And those two pictures 20 years apart are great! What a memory you have to think of looking for the 1991 picture and what organization you must have to actually have found it. :)
Posted by: Anna | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 02:59 PM
Oh, and I must say that Jonathan and Sarah have greatly improved their posing skills. Hannah must have been born a "prim and proper" lady. :)
Posted by: Anna | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 03:01 PM
I'm w/Laura. I enjoy your blog, no matter the contest--even though I have absolutely NO interest in quilting. Take that, Hannah and Sarah!
Posted by: Cathy | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 06:06 PM
Anna, no my posing skills haven't really improved after 20 years. Mom only posted the good ones. ;)
Posted by: Jonathan Girotti | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 06:36 PM
That is very generous of her. :)
Posted by: Anna | Wednesday, March 02, 2011 at 09:44 PM
Looks like a great break from "cabin fever". One of these days, I'd love to visit and explore that area. A friend of mine I visited in January has cycled the entire Parkway... in two sections. Given enough time I'm sure it could be done in one summer. Every photograph of that area I've ever seen is gorgeous... I'd be obligated to burden myself with at least SOME camera equipment.... no one would talk to me after I got home if I didn't.
Glad you all had such a great time in the outside air.
Posted by: Nick Jesch | Saturday, March 05, 2011 at 07:42 PM