Camping on the Roanoke River

For the past few weeks, Nick has been craving an adventure.  He started researching new places to camp fairly close to where we live.  Last weekend we decided to try out the Roanoke River and headed to eastern NC.  We went to Halifax Co which was very rural but full of cotton farms and American history.  Turns out, it was the sight of the Halifax Resolves which paved the way for the American Revolution.  It is only about 1.5 hours from Raleigh, so we had plenty of time to explore when we got there.

Nick discovered these platforms along the river.  You can travel down the river by canoe, camping along the way or just drive to one for the night.  We had to drive through this cotton field to get to the spot.  The platform was up on a bluff overlooking the river.

our home for the night

view of the river

steps to the river

When Nick and I go camping, we have a certain routine that we do (which I learned about when we first started camping together).  First you gather all your fire wood and then organize it into piles according to size.  Here is the first pile which I (thought) was organized by size-

A little while later I came back and saw that Nick had reorganized it.  If you know Nick this should make you laugh.

 Anyway, the pile turned into this relaxing fire, where I lounged and read for the afternoon.

Even though it was pretty rainy we had a great time.  The spot is a keeper and I am thankful for an adventurous husband!

Cam the Camry

As you probably know, Nick was in a pretty bad wreck before Christmas.  He was coming home from work in the Civic when another car pulled out in front of him and he t-boned (haha L & P) them.  Thank the Lord that he was totally fine besides being very sore and having a mild concussion.  Sadly, we cannot say the same for the Civic (that we affectionately called Beck) - it was totalled.

I loved that car, it was my first car and I got it while I was in college.  Nick and I have some great memories with Beck.  We drove the Civic as we left from our wedding, took it on countless road trips and never had to put any money into it other than new tires!  I am SO thankful that Beck saved Nick's life and so if we had to say goodbye to her, it was a good way for her to go.

It took quite a while for the insurance company to get their act together and get us a check (over a month) and so we had sometime to search for cars.  We were hoping to get a four door car and something with less mileage.  After getting all the money from the insurance company and doing lots of research we found Cam the Camry.  Meet Cam-

So, hopefully he will be just as gas efficient and maintenance free as Beck.  I feel like our cars have personalities.  We also have Frank the 4runner and our rental car was Eric the Elantra.  Do you name your cars?  Or do you think we are crazy for naming ours?

Raleigh Weekend

It has been a very mild winter in NC (and everywhere from what it sounds like) and while I would love to see some snow, you can't complain about 65 degrees and sunny in January!  Crazy!  One Saturday Nick and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather and explore a little.  Falls Lake is just minutes from where we live, so we picked up some sushi and headed to the lake for a picnic and a hike.  Being on the lake and in the woods, it is hard to believe you are still in Raleigh.  

 


                           

On Sunday, Nick's parents came to church with us and we went out for brunch afterwards.  We had fried chicken and waffles which may sound strange but it was seriously amazing!   After brunch we strolled around downtown.  There is so much to see and do in Raleigh.  We had a great weekend enjoying all it has to offer!

New Years 2012

For New Years our good friends Luke and Taylor invited us to the Register's beach house at Ocean Isle for the weekend.  It had been forever since I was able to spend quality time with Taylor and it was awesome to spend a relaxing weekend at the beach with great friends.  The weather was gorgeous and definitely didn't feel like December/January.   Saturday morning we woke up to a delicious breakfast and took a long, leisurely walk around the island and the beach.  

Most of the group-  Happy 2012!

More sights from our walk-

Another highlight of the weekend was the endless cornhole playing.  Taylor and Luke made this set for her parents and we put it to good use!

Turns out Tay and I made an awesome team (who knew!?) and had the longest winning streak!  (Please excuse our un-showered selves :)

Their house is a quick walk to the beach, so we were able to catch an amazing sunset on Saturday night- the last one of 2011!

All fresh and clean- the whole group minus the Registers

We had a yummy lasagna dinner, played Apples to Apples and then went to a bar to hear some live music.  Sharkys (the bar) dropped their version of the ball at midnight- it was a shark of course!  I didn't lug my camera there, so sadly no pictures.  It was the perfect way to ring in the New Year.  Thanks again so much to the Logans and the Registers- we had an awesome time! Let's do it again soon!

Thanksgiving at the Farm

This year Nick and I were able to spend part of Thanksgiving day on my grandparents farm in Walburg, NC.  They purchased the land and built their house when I was young and we have so many great memories of the farm.  Over the years Papa and Grams have had cows, sheep, a donkey, chickens and a rooster among other things!  My cousins, Laurie and I loved swimming in the creek, climbing up in the hayloft in the barn, and hiking all over the 27 acres.

A few of the sheep-  over the years we have been able to hold the baby lambs in the spring-  so cool!

All four of the cousins (and hubbys) were able to make it this year which was so much fun! 

Sister and their babies-  Anna and Copeland

We were also able to celebrate Papa's 80th birthday that day! 

After lunch the guys challenged each other to what is becoming a new tradition- racing down the long driveway on scooters.  Here are their game faces-

nice game face Pat

 I actually got a few pictures of Nick and I- thanks Blair!

I love this next one-  all four cousins and our husbands! We have so much to be thankful for- I am so thankful for family and our relationships.  Love yall so much!

Neuse River Trail

One great thing about where we live in Raleigh is the new Neuse River Trail that opened up right after we moved.  Right now it's about 7 miles long, but it will eventually connect to other greenways throughout the city.  It is a beautiful, smooth trail that follows the Neuse River.  We love running there and riding our bikes.  And the best part is that it's just a few minutes from our apartment. 

Fall Weekend in the NRV

A few weeks ago, Nick and I headed back to VA for a wedding.  Nick's lifetime friend Matt got married in Roanoke, and we decided to make a long weekend out of it.  We stayed in a B&B and enjoyed exploring the mountain town.  On Saturday morning we drove to the top of Mill Mountain, which has a few trails and a great overlook.  It was a perfect fall day and a beautiful view!  The wedding was great and we are so happy for Matt and Allison! (sadly I did not take any pictures at the wedding). 

the Roanoke star on top of Mill Mountain

Saturday night after the wedding we made the drive to Blacksburg for the night.  We couldn't be in VA and not make a stop to see some great friends while we were there.  It was so nice to be back in the quaint college town and even more wonderful to catch up with friends.  Sunday on our way out of town, we stopped for a relaxing lunch at Chateau Morrisette which is a vineyard and restaurant off the Blue Ridge Parkway.  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it!  The food was amazing and the wine was good too.

We loved spending time with the Boleys and Whiteds who we really miss! We have to make that happen again soon!

the guys

the girls

all of us!