We were very excited to host Tom & Raquel, our friends from South Carolina over the weekend! When they arrived Saturday, we spent some time catching up from our visit a few weeks ago and helped them acclimate to the cooler temperatures. (Time on the front deck with some snacks and beverages helped a lot!) That evening, we ate at home and enjoyed steaks off the grill along with some of the sweetest corn on the cob, imported from SC!
After a leisurely Sunday morning, we decided to visit the Banner Elk Winery. We've seen the signs around town and know the chef at the B&B attached, but had never been there. The operation is VERY small, however, they have won several gold and bronze medals for a few of their wines. And they were pretty tasty too! After that, it was a stop at Mast General where I think we each found something we couldn't live without. :)
Sunday evening was Hungarian night and Ray & Bonnie were able to join us. Frank made Chicken Paprikash (a little different recipe than Nan's, but she has approved) with home made spaetzle dumplings, cucumbers and onions, red cabbage salad (sauerkraut), rye bread, asparagus and Bonnie's scrumptious apple crisp. Yummy!
First thing Monday morning, Raquel and I did water aerobics, Tom hit a few tennis balls and Frank went to the gym. Frank suggested that during the afternoon we go for a little hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway. We figured out where we could get on the Parkway and where we would stop. We packed a lunch, grabbed out hats and headed out. Our first stop was at Elk Mountain Overlook which is at an elevation of 3795 feet. A bit hazy, but still a pretty view.
We found the perfect spot to have a bite to eat before heading off on our hike.
This is a little 'hut' that was used by the settlers as a refrigerator because there is a little stream that runs right through it.
This is the cabin. Pretty fancy for the times with a fireplace and front porch. We're convinced a family of 8 lived there.
Thankfully, Frank picked an easy hike for our first one.
Tom is certain he's found gold in the little creek!
A little difficult to see, but the water is really rushing down the stream.
All in all, it was a great weekend of 'firsts'!
Frank's been keeping to his commitment of playing lots of golf, sometimes with new friends and several times with his brother, Ray. 
Another little side 'project' I've had is to attract more hummingbirds to our deck. I found 3 different styles of feeders, but the one they like best has a little piece of wire that lets the little fellas perch while they sip. They are amazing to watch! Their little wings go so fast and if you're outside or have the windows open, the humming of their wings is quite loud. They are most active mid-morning and late afternoon (cocktail hour). There are several different types that visit. My favorite is the one with a green head and red neck, but there are also some that are a little more plain with brown heads and white chests (kind of like they are wearing a tuxedo).
Hard to believe that it's been a month since we last saw Rick & Joanne! And this was a great opportunity to get the FSU-North Miami High gang together. Ron & Lynne and Ray & Bonnie joined us all for dinner that evening. Everyone had so much in common and it turned into a reunion of sorts with most of the group reminiscing about people they went to school with, lived near or new. Although I didn't know who they were talking about, it was nice to see how much fun everyone was having.
The West-coasters arrived Thursday after an early morning flight and 2 hour drive (without incident I might add). Once they were fed and watered, we did a tour of Hound Ears, including the Hound Ears Rocks. 
Our plan for the afternoon/evening was see Valle Crucis, go to the Mast General Store and to eventually end up at the Banner Elk Park for their weekly concert (blues, jazz, etc.). So we packed our chairs, beverages and some food and headed out. The main course for our picnic dinner was some of the world-famous fried chicken from a local place, which just happens to be located at the back of the Citgo gas station in Foscoe! (They are also well-known for their BBQ.) 
After an hour or so of being in and out of the wonderfully aromatic "chicken mobile" (wish we had smell-a-vision), we arrived at the park and unloaded the car. People were very impressed with our set-up and marveled that we would bring a turkey to the concert! (Yes, there was so much chicken in the pan that it looked like the size of a small turkey!) Because of a delay with the chicken, the owner added a few more pieces. No worries, it didn't go to waste. 
We really enjoyed the concert and the weather was perfect! What a great way to introduce everyone to the area.
(Note: The Seminole chair in the picture does not belong to us. It just happened to be there.) 
The girls decided to go shopping and started at the little flea market and antique shop in Foscoe. From there we went to the bustling metropolis of Downtown Boone. Unfortunately, we didn't do enough shopping that day to sustain the economy of Boone. Our plan for Friday evening was to go down to the golf course for a traditional 4th of July BBQ dinner, some bluegrass music, duck races and fireworks. As typically happens on this day in the mountains, it rained. But not the deluge of years past, thankfully. We loaded up the car and made our way down the mountain. It was sunny, warm, and a little muggy, but it didn't dampen our spirits or deter us in any way. 
We met up with George, Beatrice, Nicholas and Alexander (new friends we met through Ray & Bonnie) and set up camp. The dinner was delicious and if anyone was hungry, it was their own fault. 
The annual Duck Races were held on the golf course at one of the little streams. Three hundred little yellow ducks divided into 6 heats were sent floating down the stream. 
There was a 'hearder' who helped the little fellows who got stuck get back with their group and Herb, the announcer, kept us informed of which one was in the lead. 
No win for us, but it was fun to see the kids (and some of the adults) get excited at the ducks approached the finish line. After the decorated golf cart contest, darkness started to fall and we settled in to watch the fireworks. We were so close you could almost touch them!
Unfortunately, it was so foggy (or we were so high in the clouds) that we couldn't see a thing. Nonetheless, it was still a fun adventure. Back to the house for a bit of relaxation before dinner at the Club. It turned out to be lots of fun and we had the whole upstairs all to ourselves. 
Everyone enjoyed their dinner, the view and camaraderie. After returning home and changing into PJs, we had a boys vs girls game of Pictionary! 
It was a close finish for the boys, but everyone had a good time. 
Off to bed because we were getting up early for gem mining!
Unfortunately, when we arrived, they were delayed in opening. We decided to make good use of the time and went to pick up a few items we needed for dinner that night. Nothing like getting called out over the loud speaker at Lowe's for trying to by beer at 9:30 on a Sunday morning. :o) Back to the gem mine we went. We were the first ones there and it was a good thing! 
We got our bucket of dirt and gems. Each of us took a big scoop and dumped it into our screens. We sloshed it back and forth in the trough of water to reveal lots of rocks. 
They told us to be sure to keep everything, even if we thought it was just a rock. We finished the bucket and took our finds to be reviewed. We all hit it big and found some pretty cool gems! 
It was a fun experience and now we'll be able to have a story behind the jewelry that ends up holding the stones. The BroYodEnts headed to Beech Mtn for some sightseeing and lunch. From the stories and pictures, it looks like they had a fun time. Frank and I worked to get things ready for the 'Carolina Country Dinner' we were hosting that evening. 
We were looking forward to introducing our Tampa friends to our North Carolina friends. Dinner was delicious and everyone seemed to have a good time. 
