Highlights from the Summer of 24

It is nearly fall as I write this update. The nights are now much cooler, and the daytime temps are not high enough to run the A/C. It is a very comfortable time of year. Pat and I are preparing for a major international trip in a few days and then of course we will leave for Florida after the holidays. So, a very busy fall for us. In this blog update, I wanted to share our rather low-key summer. It was great, but nothing too exciting! So here is a summary:

Scottish Games on Grandfather Mtn, NC

We were able to be first time attendees at the largest Scottish festival in the US. From its humble beginnings in 1956, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games has grown to become the largest Scottish Games in the United States and the largest outside of Scotland. More than just athletic events, all manner of Scottish heritage is on display at this remote spot in the Appalachian Mountains. I heard that 30,000 people attended over the weekend.

The annual event is held on top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina, a 6,000 foot peak along the Blue Ridge Mountains in the middle of July. This is the highest peak on the eastern side and is a popular state park. It was about a 3-hour drive from our location and quite pleasant. The last bit was the usual twisty, small back roads.

This area was recently devastated with the hurricane Helene. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families affected.

Mt. Airy NC

This was a fun stop for lunch on the way back home from Grandfather Mtn. Mt. Airy is the home of the fictional Mayberry and of Andy and Barney. We had lunch, walked the old downtown, and toured their really cool museum.

Radford Fireworks

Obviously, no summer is complete without a healthy celebration of July 4th. We met our son Ross at the local brewery on a hilltop above the firework park venue. Cold refreshments while we wait plus easy, no traffic exit home.

Burkes Garden VA

This was our first time to this round bowl of a geological feature. It is actually a sunken valley with a mountain ridge all around it. The elevation is about 3,000 feet with a population of 300. It even has a small Amish population with horse and buggies and a general store/restaurant where they serve a great lunch.

Burkes Garden is about a two-hour drive from our home with the last half on very curvy roads. It is a little rough on the passenger!

Ingles Castle, Radford VA

I have always wanted to see inside this old historic castle located here in our town of Radford, VA. It changed hands and a local civic group bought it and are trying to rebuild it back to the original state. To raise funds, they opened it up for tours! Bingo! Here is a quick bio: Built in 1892 by William Ingles, the Queen Anne style home features over 6,000 sq feet and boasts a conservatory, library, parlor, and ornate stained glass.

RV Trip & RV Work

Every summer, we enjoy a few days at our local state park. Great hiking, fishing, and some ham radio field work. In addition, I had the coach to the shop for some annual maintenance and then Trish and I waxed the entire rig. It is all nice and shiny now but doesn’t stay that way for long parked in the sun.

Jet Ski Race

Our son Ross, the daredevil, has participated in jet ski competition for about 10 years. He rides the difficult stand-up skis that can very maneuverable on the water! I believe that he finished 2nd or 3rd in his class. It was fun to watch until the violent thunderstorm that about swept us away!

Cascades Rec Area Hike

Pat and I hiked this great trail a few weeks ago and had a delicious smoked BBQ and the little place in Pembroke. A just reward for the strenuous hike! Cascades Day Use Area is one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in southwest Virginia. It features shady picnic spots, a native trout stream, and a 4-mile scenic loop trail. The main attraction is the scenic 66 foot Cascade Falls, a dramatic waterfall located two miles from the parking area.

Oklahoma! – Wytheville VA Dinner Theater

We try to get down to Wytheville a couple of times per year for their shows and a dinner, as you do. On this occasion, we saw the musical Oklahoma, Oklahoma is the first musical written by the duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein based on the 1931 play, followed by a 1955 movie.

Wrap Up

Our major trip is coming up next week! We are both excited, but also a little nervous about getting way out of our comfort zone. But at this point in our retirement lives, this is the prime season for an adventure. More on the trip in my next post. Thanks for following along and God Bless.