What a busy and fun 4th of July weekend! Victoria, Ken, Patty-Patty, Tad & Bonnie all made the trek north for a vacation away from the Florida heat.
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 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.)
Happy 4th of July! Friday morning, Victoria and I went to water aerobics thinking that we could work off in advance what we might have later in the day. Ken and Frank had a noon tee time and headed off to play golf. But there was a little twist to their adventure. The extra set of clubs that Ken (a Gator) was to use were in a Seminole golf bag! :o) In spite of the bag, they had a good time and got to see lots of the course. 
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!
Saturday morning was kind of lazy. The East-Coasters were due to arrive mid-morning. Frank and I went in to town to run some errands and go grocery shopping. Fortunately, we got back before Tad & Bonnie arrived. After lunch and catching Tad & Bonnie up on the prior days' adventures, we decided to go to 'The Blowing Rock'. http://www.theblowingrock.com/legend.html. The adventure began after taking 'the back way' into Blowing Rock, and running into the aftermath of the annual July 5th parade. It was a good way to see a few parade participants and people watch. Once we reached the Blowing Rock and paid our admission, we began exploring the paths.
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!
Sunday morning and everyone was up ready to head to Foscoe for gem mining. (This was something I've wanted to do for the past few years and I'm really glad our friends were interested in doing something so touristy.)
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. 
Back to water aerobics Victoria and I went on Monday. The rest of the family took it easy and got packed up to return to Tampa. After a lunch of left-overs, they packed the car and made their way to Charlotte. Tad, Bonnie and I returned to the gem mine facetor to discuss the few gems we wanted cut. From there we toured the ASU campus and then walked through some of the shops that were open. (Not may open on Monday.) For dinner, a change of pace was needed and we decided some "eye-tal-yun" was in order. Yummy!
We woke Tuesday morning to the pitter-patter of rain and cooler temperatures. And the Yodents were leaving to continue their 'planes-trains-automobiles' vacation.
All in all, it was a great weekend with wonderful friends!
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!Saturday morning was kind of lazy. The East-Coasters were due to arrive mid-morning. Frank and I went in to town to run some errands and go grocery shopping. Fortunately, we got back before Tad & Bonnie arrived. After lunch and catching Tad & Bonnie up on the prior days' adventures, we decided to go to 'The Blowing Rock'. http://www.theblowingrock.com/legend.html. The adventure began after taking 'the back way' into Blowing Rock, and running into the aftermath of the annual July 5th parade. It was a good way to see a few parade participants and people watch. Once we reached the Blowing Rock and paid our admission, we began exploring the paths.
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!Sunday morning and everyone was up ready to head to Foscoe for gem mining. (This was something I've wanted to do for the past few years and I'm really glad our friends were interested in doing something so touristy.)
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. Back to water aerobics Victoria and I went on Monday. The rest of the family took it easy and got packed up to return to Tampa. After a lunch of left-overs, they packed the car and made their way to Charlotte. Tad, Bonnie and I returned to the gem mine facetor to discuss the few gems we wanted cut. From there we toured the ASU campus and then walked through some of the shops that were open. (Not may open on Monday.) For dinner, a change of pace was needed and we decided some "eye-tal-yun" was in order. Yummy!
We woke Tuesday morning to the pitter-patter of rain and cooler temperatures. And the Yodents were leaving to continue their 'planes-trains-automobiles' vacation.
All in all, it was a great weekend with wonderful friends!
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