Monday, May 24, 2010

Happy 13 years of marriage!
17 years ago I met my wonderful husband...it seems like yesterday...yet so much has happened in those years!

This weekend Dennis and I went camping to celebrate our anniversary. It wasn't until our 10th anniversary that we got the bright idea to go away for a weekend together to celebrate, and we've done it every year since. This year we decided to go camping...we realized that camping without our children is quite different! It is so quiet!


We camped at Gambrill State Park, and just about had the camping loop to ourselves. (some people were in cabins nearby)

We biked the Western Maryland Rail Trail (22 miles one way). We have wanted to do this section of trail after hearing about it last summer from the folks up at Ohiopyle. It parrallels the C & O Canal Trail from Fort Frederick State Park, through Hancock and 12 miles beyond. Instead of being right down on the river, it runs a bit higher up on the mountain and is paved all the way. It was a very moderate grade, or mostly flat, though at times it seemed we were always going uphill! The weather was perfect, cloudy and cool. We stopped in Hancock and ate our sandwhiches in a little gazebo (that's the picture of us at the picnic table). At then end of the trail (see pic above) we stopped only long enough to take the picture because the mosquitoes found us. After 30 miles we were exhausted and stopped for coffee in Hancock. We were also soaked completely since a steady rain started at about mile 24. After a break we finished the last 10 miles, slowly and painfully. It was a great accomplishment and a wonderful ride. However we were soaked and sore, and agreed that 30 miles was probably more our limit for a ride!

We also spent some time walking around downtown Frederick and enjoyed browsing the many antique and specialty shops. We stopped in at a Yamaha piano shop and I got to play on a couple of beautiful grand pianos! The lady in the shop gave us a great lesson on the difference in mechanics between a grand and an upright piano. Fascinating!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

"Local Family Retreats and Finds Peace and Rest"
I don't know why we just don't do this more often or sooner every year...nothing beats a weekend camping trip for our family. There aren't too many escapes where we feel absolutely no obligation to anything and can truly relax and enjoy each other. We visited a park that is new to us: Gifford Pinchot State Park and loved it.
We found hiking trails down to the lake and all around the woods...

Beaches to lounge on with playgrounds for the kids...

Plenty of space to let loose and goof off....

A tadpole pond and soothing fountain (couldn't actually find any tadpoles this early in the season)...

A spacious campsite with no bugs, cool weather and a playground across the street...

We liked it so much we may just add it to our favorites!

Saturday, May 08, 2010


Bay turned 7
Bay celebrated his 7th birthday recently. I can't believe my sweet, compassionate, nurturing Bay is getting so big. Just so long as he'll still cuddle on my lap!
Bay and Leah with their recently new pj's and Bay with his birthday breakfast...cereal with milk...
One of Bay's big interests is space. He has had the space helmet for  few years now, but got the space suit for his birthday. He plans to live on the ISS someday...
The ice-cream cake that I have made now for 3 birthdays is gaining in popularity...
Gramps going through Bay's new tackle box and a coupon for a fishing trip with Gramps.

One of the most wonderful things about Bay and his developing personality is seeing his tender heart develop. The other morning I had made some oatmeal and offered some to Bay for breakfast. After a short contemplation, Bay said to me, "Mom, would it hurt your feelings if I didn't want any?"