Monday - May 6

 Not sure what happened that I didn't post the blog last night - sure thought I had, but Anne asked about it and sure enough it was still a draft!    And now onto Monday....what a day!

We left Lake James at 8:04 and long before that, Michael was on his way to Charlotte airport; Brady and Blair to school.   It was cloudy and very wet out with patches of fog.    Stopped at the Tennessee and Kentucky Welcome Centers and had lunch at Arby's plus gas for Ruby and diesel for Big Red in Corbin, KY.

Thankfully, the fog stayed in the higher elevations but we drove thru lots of rain and very heavy at times.    Not fun, but then nice to have about 2 + hours of sunshine   We arrived at Whispering Hills RV Park around 3 and everything was very wet.    We got settled and  wow - the rain came off and on (heavy) for the next hour or so.    After beautiful weather in Raleigh for graduation, we have sure had the rain!    Enough is enough, but sounds like more coming as we head to Kamp Komfort tomorrow.

We've stayed at this very nice busy park several times and remember back in July of 2015, having Brady with us enroute to Bloomington for a week with his cousins, Liam and Connor.

The weather does not sound good for traveling in the Midwest tomorrow...ugh!    I'm a barometer you know 😀and the nasty weather really affects my shoulder and hand.    Lots of achiness in the shoulder and tingling in my hand (at least more than usual)!!!   

Sunday - May 5

 More rain during the night for a total of 2 1/4" over the past 2 days.   Today started out cloudy, but then warm and sunny.    We (Michael, Brooke,, Brady, Blair, Mark and I) in 2 separate cars went to 11:00 Mass at St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa, NC (near Black Mountain and where we'll attend Mass whenever we move to Black Mountain).   Small friendly church and liked Father Christian and his homily.

St. Margaret Mary

Then we were off to downtown Black Mountain and lunch at Trailheads which was very good.    Brooke, Blair and I stopped at Ingles for a few groceries while the guys got gas and on home.

Mark and I got Flo pretty well ready to roll outta here tomorrow.    I did some laundry and then we went to visit Annette and Maeve.   Philip is at work n New York and Luke is on a canoe trip on the St. John River.

Maeve is all bedecked with her jewels

Maeve bought a really neat jewelry box with some of her First Communion $    She has lots of pretties inside with so many cool compartments.   Over 7 years ago when Maeve was a baby and living in FL, our friend, Susie gave her this precious cross necklace.   And Grandma had some Mardi Gras beads to add to her stash.    She has several pairs of earrings waiting, too, since she recently got her ears pierced.

Good bye hugs but we'll be back in 4 weeks when we celebrate Davis and Brady's graduations.

Heavy rain late afternoon - Michael, Mark, Blair, Booke and I played Sky Jo with Mark the winner.  Then we enjoyed a delicious tortellini dinner (close replica of Grandma D's recipe).    And one final game of Sky Jo (Michael, Brooke, Brady, Blair and me) while Grandpa was on zoom with his siblings.    Tah dah....Grandma came out the winner beating Michael by 1 point!  

What a fun time in NC with graduation, partying, good eating and being with family.    Now  Kamp Komfort, here we come!

Saturday - May 4

 Lots of rain, thunder and lightning during the night with a lot more rain on a very soggy, cool Saturday.   Brooke and Blair were off for her cheer competition at Hickory High School.    Mark, Michael and I came a bit later- 'Fever" as the sponsor for this big cheer event with many schools participating and $20 per person to watch......Blair's team "Storm" did very well with 1st place in novice overall.   Blair got 2nd out of 7 for her tumble off.    Glad we got to watch her and the team,.  

Proud grandparents

Proud Mom and Dad

Our little cheerleader and gymnast

 In between events, we went to Mas Amor Cantina for delicious lunch and margaritas.   This old building was formerly a hosiery factory and converted into a brewery and this Mexican place - did a great job renovating.

It rained very hard while we were eating (and before and after)....Brooke and Blair went back to school for more events and awards.   I went back home with the guys.    Mark and I took a nap and then played Clue (won by Blair) and Sky Jo ((won by Grandma)..   Michael and Brooke met some friends at Mica Town in Nebo.

We were all stuffed from lunch so leftovers for supper - Flo's fridge is overflowing with styrofoam containers.

Congrats to Connor and his fishing pals representing CCHS at state

What a very exciting finish to the 150th Kentucky Derby with "Mystik Dan" the winner!

Thursday-Friday - May 2 and 3

 Hello from Lake James where we arrived around 2:45 this afternoon (spending 3 nights at Michael and Brooke's.    Here's  recap of yesterday/today

Thursday - we were up early and out the door at 7:10 AM for 8:00 graduation.  Lots and lots of people in line waiting for the doors to open at 7:30.    We connected with rest of the family, got our seats and then thrills and chills as Pomp and Circumstance played over and over as the graduates processed into Reynolds Coliseum.

Good speakers and then the conferment of diplomas.....Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is the 2nd largest department at NC State after the school of business.   The ceremony lasted 2 hours and then we walked out into very warm bright sunshine.   Had coffee at Java Cafe in the student union and then pictures at the Bell Tower.    Lunch at The Village Draft House (very good) and back to The Loft where family was staying to change into casual clothes.

Judy, Brooke, Blair, Mark and I walked to The Village District and Blair and I got some Boba tea (she did not like it).   We set up Sky Jo on the patio and so pleasant playing this game which I won!

Walked back to the Loft and played euchre.   Bob and Michael joined us.  Fun afternoon and then time to change clothes again for our celebratory dinner with Davis at Capital Grille.    This is one of Michael's favorites but 1st time for Mark and me.   Excellent meal, service and ambiance.   Said our good byes and Davis took us back to the campground which is fairly close to his house which he shares with 4 other guys.    Michael is driving my car back to the lake tomorrow which is much appreciated.  On May 31st, we'll be back at the lake to celebrate Davis and Brady (graduates on the 30th). 

Memory from 8 years ago at Davis's 8th grade graduation

Submitted by Philip

College graduation

Bell Tower - landmark on North Carolina State campus - Raleigh

Davis with Grandma and Grandpa

Davis and Grandparents

Davis and Blair

Lunch at The Village Draft House

Not a fan of boba tea

Playing SkyJo

The graduate

Dinner at Capital Grille

Judy, Brooke, Blair, Davis, Michael, Mark, Pat, Bob

Friday - Enjoyed a good night's sleep after our big day but had a leisurely morning getting ready to travel again,    I rode with Mark in Big Red pulling Flo and away we went around 9:30.    Stopped for diesel in Mebane and then near Winston Salem (Kernersville) lunch at Cracker Barrel.    Michael and Mark had on headsets and he helped guide us in on Brady's basketball court.

Brady came oui to Flo for a good chat.   Michael took us for a nice boat ride over to Philip's dock.    Had a good visit with Annette and Maeve (Luke, too) and their friends Keith and Doug on the dock!   Back home for delicious BBQ (brisket, ribs and pork) + potato salad, baked beans and jalapeno grits.

Brady - so excited about his Notre Dame college career coming soon!

 

Thursday - May 2

 BIG day celebrating Davis and his graduation from NC State.    Internet is very slow here at the state fair campground.   More details and pics coming tomorrow when we'll head back to Lake James for the weekend.   Nighty night from Raleigh!