Back Home in Virginia

It is now the middle of the summer, and the hot and humid days are lingering like an unwelcome guest. Even here in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we get into the upper 80’s for a few weeks. And nights only cool off to a very humid 70 degrees. We did have the remnants of hurricane Debbie meander through and dumping a few inches of welcome rain. As usual, I wonder how we are already well into August, and I still have many to-dos on the list. Oh well, some may remain there next year to keep me occupied! On to the blog!

Summertime does bring back many memories from over the years. I remember growing up in a small Indiana town of Terre Haute in the early 60’s where we knew everyone on our two or three block area. The city was developed in a grid pattern of residential streets formed in blocks with an alleyway behind each for utility and trash pickup.

I would ride my bike with friends over a large part of the six blocks or so where my school friends lived. Back then, we had many small grocery stores mixed into the residential blocks, usually on every third street corner. We would collect pop bottles for the deposit and then stop off at the local mom and pop store for candy and a cold pop (soft drink if you are up on the Midwest lingo).

In the evening, we would be called home from playing some ball game at a field in the neighborhood. On the walk home, every summertime house had all windows opened and it was a symphony of radio stations broadcasting baseball games or music. And many neighbors out on the porch. And in my early years, the only worry was to enjoy the summer because the start of the new dreaded school year was just around the corner!

Library Remodeled

One of Pat’s favorite hobbies is reading and book collecting. Therefore, we need a good sized library to provide for many bookcases and a comfy, quiet place to read. The room used to be the office and is located at the very end of a long ranch style home. Very quiet and has doors to further close it off.

The first task was to remove all the wallpaper. Ugh. Then sand the walls, prime and paint. Then add new flush mounted ceiling LED lighting. The new paint is a Florida theme. Finally, to decorate with some of my Florida paintings. Viola! A new custom library!

Home Brewing Beverages

Every spring, I open up the brew shop for some beverage offerings for the year. Usually, 2-3 five-gallon batches each year to go into a keg. The beer brewing process is a very scientific process. Many steps need to be exact to ensure a good product. And just like cooking, the recipe can be varied to yield the exact end product that you desire. A fascinating hobby with great benefits!

Mountain Lake Lunch

We try to get to the mountain top resort a couple of times a year to enjoy a relaxed lunch. This resort is where the 1987 movie, Dirty Dancing was filmed. The lodge was built in 1936 and has had many additions and cabins added since that time. From their website: In the early 1800’s, the property was a stop along the public stage coach line providing lodging for passengers and during the Civil War, General George Crook and his Union soldiers passed through. Vacationers started visiting Mountain Lake in the mid 1800’s and many of the original cabins are here today. This a special place immersed in the history of Pembroke, VA and the spirit of the mountains.

Parks on the Air (POTA)

Part of my ham radio hobby is the portable station activation capability in case of a disaster that disrupts normal communications. An extension of this is a large group of hams who challenge themselves to go out to state and federal parks to operate their stations and even more folks who make a contact with them from home.

Wilderness Road Museum

We really enjoyed our first visit to this local museum in Newbern, VA! It is located right on the old Wilderness Road that was the major east-west trail for settlers back in the 1700-1800’s. The oldest part built sometime between 1806 and 1812, Henry Hance’s log house is the oldest room in the Wilderness Road Regional Museum.  What really creates an impact on us is that in all probability both Pat and my ancestors migrated west to Kentucky along this very same road that we were standing on!

Wrap Up

Thanks for following along! Our daughter Audrey’s wedding will be featured in my next update. It is good to be back home, but also looking forward to new adventures! Take care and God Bless.