Well Sunday was a fun day with the boys to start with and then it was fun time with the rest of the gang until 10 PM. The weather was perfect for our 17 mile ride down the mountain near Damascus,Va. and despite the temps reaching the low 80's when we got home the humidity was at bay as well.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines of green tea, quiet time and then checking the news. It's funny how the national scene eludes your attention when with family. The major issue facing us was Ava awakened with a fever and had some tummy issues so that gave the rest of the girls a chance to get out of the bike ride. It is a curvy road to get their and many were lamenting about being car sick so it was just us guys who did the ride. We left the cabin around 8:30 and made it there in a little less than 2 hours. It was a great drive and while we did hear the boys at one time mention they were a little queasy from the curves they managed. It does take some getting use to the drive but the scenery was awesome.
The girls ended up in Galax but since it was Sunday none of the shops were open. Nancy treated them to lunch at Macado's which she said wasn't that good. The last time we were there it was O.K. but it does seem to have gone downhill, oh well. We ate lunch on the trail around 1'ish and it was eatable but nothing to write home about. This little dinner on the trail was busy with lots of bikers eating and resting. We met several nice folks at the Sundog Outfitters and one family was from Lakeland, Fl. and we had a friend in common; Grady Judge the sheriff. Grady use to be a FHP trooper before becoming the high sheriff of Polk, Co. and this fellow was friends with him over the years.
Another couple I sat across from on the trip up the mountain were retired Navy personnel who lives and owns a wedding venue in Konnarock, Va. called Windsong Barn which is about 10 miles from the Damascus. We had a great conversation on the ride as she and her husband were taking their grand daughter on a ride down the mountain for the first time. They moved to this area after moving around the world during their career's as Navy doctor and nurse to the area because of the vistas and the Creeper trail. We became friends on the internet.
It was close to 5'ish before we got back on the mountain and unloaded the bikes. We decided to eat leftover's from the spaghetti dinner, lamb burgers and salads. Bobby made a guacamole so we all munched on that along with some vino and each person did their own plates except of course the kiddos. After supper we took a hike to the top of the mountain all except Ava, Annsley and Nancy. Even Eliza went and did the whole hike without being carried. We met the Brown's who gave us some fresh tomato's and squash from their gardens and then I hid in the bushes waiting for Gabe and Sam to come along. They were bragging how they would handle a "whumpus cat" if they saw one and when I jumped out from behind some bushes scaring them it was priceless to see their faces. They weren't sure if they were going cry or pee their pants but then when they realized it was me they attacked me with their walking sticks. We were laughing so hard we were all in hysterics.
We hit the showers once again in shifts as Nancy took the girls who didn't hike on a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain. We then after everyone was clean decided to play once again the family game called "mafia". The kiddos love the game and its one where you can sit comfortable around the room. Well after a couple rounds where you become the person the playing card dictates you to be while no one else knows who you are and those dictated as the mafia try to kill everyone in the room and win the game; I hit the sack at 10'ish. Everyone else was also hitting the sack as we have another big day today on the river, LATER
