Well we finally saw some sunshine in the early evening here on the mountain after we were socked in for what seemed like days. Every thing growing had smiles after the wet weather and I could feel the rust slipping away, yea. Tuesday was a fun day as we headed to Galax for lunch then shopping before coming to the cabin which was finally a welcoming feeling as when we left it was barely visible through the fog. I don't know how folks stand it up north when they don't see the sun for weeks during the long cold winter months.
I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to fog once again. We decided we were leaving the cabin for some better weather sometime during the morning so after my daily routines that start with the hot tea, quiet time and then some breakfast I headed out on foot to get in an extended hike without Nancy. I headed down the drive and then up the nearly mile straight up from the road to the top of the mountain without stopping and then across the top to the Brownings and then down the back road to the foot of our driveway and then again up the drive. I would say at least two miles or more an about an hour although I wasn't timing myself. I want to do that every day until we head back to Florida if possible or as many mornings as possible plus and afternoon hike with Nancy which is about half that distance and with several stops as she just can not make it up the mountain without rest stops.
It was about 11:30 and finally she was ready to leave the cabin and the fog. We made a drop off cookies and tomato's stop for our mountain mom on the way to Galax via the parkway which was almost totally socked in. We barely made 10-15 mph at times following the yellow center line. It was foggy but we made it and once we left the parkway the fog went away and by the time we got to Galax we could see some blue skies and sunshine. Wow was that ever nice and so inviting to just let the sun shine on your face. We ate lunch at the Subway inside Walmart and then loaded up on things for the Christmas Shoe Boxes of which we are doing two boys and two girls. We want to have them ready before we leave in November. We then loaded up on groceries and then made a gas stop on the way out of town. Gas is 25 cents a gallon cheaper in Va. than in N.C. which is just a few miles apart.
We got back around 4'ish and the fog was gone from the cabin and bright sunshine was visible every where and which is one of the factors we so love about our cabin in the woods. I sat outside in the sunlight for an hour before we took off on a hike with Nancy. This hike was a piece of cake compared to the morning one and then we stopped and visited with the Brownings for a few before heading back down the the mountain. I piddled around outside just enjoying the sunshine before it was time to grill some brats for our supper. I notice I had some new lettuce poking through the ground and hope they will survive since the storm washed all of my lettuces out last week. I'm still getting some tomato's from the upper garden as that garden drained quite well during the storm and I'm still getting beet greens as well as some Swiss chard which is coming back after the storm. The peppers are holding their own and are loaded with new small fruit.
The flower beds are just about done except for the circle drive bed which is showing lots of color with the zinnias and marigolds in full bloom. The storm nearly flattened all of them but most have regained their height and are sending out new buds. I'm probably going to weed whack the other beds as they are jut about done except where I have fall daisy in full bloom. They are brilliant white in bloom. The raspberry bushes are sending out new runners and I'm putting them in the ground as I've made their bed larger. Next year I'm hoping for a bumper crop if the deer leave the new growth alone in the spring. I'm thinking of putting up some type of barrier but its usually hopeless as the deer love the new growth.
Well I watched the Ray's lose to the Yanks again and it looks as if their playoff hopes are gone but they were exciting at time down the home stretch. They have some fine young players and should be a contender next year, LATER
