killed at Kolomoki

Climbing Kolomoki mound just about killed me. I have climbed temples in Tikka, 300 steps to the Redeemer in Rio and many castles in Europe. But, climbing to the top just about killed me. We made the climb just after we had rode our bike up and down hills, mostly up hill. Why can't I find a place where I can just ride down hill. The we decided to take a nice hike to rest from the hard bike ride. Well, it was a very beautiful hiking trail, mostly up hill on slippery leaves. Then we got back on the bikes to head back to camp. That is when Mark decided that it was a good time to ride to the mound and climb up to the top. I know this is his birthday week but I think that I am getting older and his is getting younger.

lost in the woods.....less than 2 miles from home

Over the years Mark and I have been lost in many places. We have had some of our best time times wandering around lost in paradise, When you haver a full tank of gas and plenty of food and water and plenty of day light, being lost is an adventure. However when it is hot and you are tired and running out of daylight and you know the mosquitoes are coming out, it not so much fun. Tuesday was Marks bithday so, we went to Tifton and bought new walking shoes with Mom's birthday money. When we got home Mark said he wanted to take a long walk after his nap and to wear long pants. Mark wore his new walking shoes and they got very dirty. We started our walk through the pecan orchard as usual, but them we struck out into the woods. Mark had his GPS with him . We walked through briers and thick woods with branches grabbing my clothes and knocking off my hat. We walked past ponds and a cabbage patch and over one creek bed with a small waterfall. When we turned around to return home, the sun was directly behind us. When we got to a certain point Mark asked me if I knew the way home and I pointed in to correct direction, but wondered out loud where this other path went. Big mistake, for the rest of the hike, we were trying to get back across the creek that looked more like a river at every turn. We would put down logs and walk across, just to find another branch that we had to cross. We saw parts of the area that we had never seen before The brush was much thicker and it was getting late and the mosquitoes were coming out. When we finally made it home, Mark look at the GPS and said that we were never more than 1.8 miles from home. We were so close and yet so far from home and safety. It reminded me of what the preacher said Sunday about the two thieves on the cross, One one them made it home to safety that very day. The other was so close to the one that could give him every thing that he needed and yet was so far. Mr. Lewis Demott use to say th the distance from salvation and being lost was 12 inches. That is difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge and asking Jesus to come into the your heart. Head knowledge is not enough . How about you?

festival in Homerville

After camping for two days, we headed to Homerville for a festival. When we got there, the ladies were very helpful and told us that we could camp next to our booth. That made it it nice , so that we could go a head and set up Friday night. We set up our booth with Becca's help while Riley met all the kids running around. We finished our booth and walked around to meet the other venders. Riley talked the bounce slide people into letting him try out their bounce slide and bounce house.When every one left, we fed the fish in the pond, road bikes all around the empty parking lot and the track around the football field. Riley even convinced his granddaddy to use the tire cover to have one more camp fire. We had a picnic right there at our booth. Just before bed we took one more bike ride around the lake by moon light. Next morning, we ate ham and cheese omelets and hot chocolate. Becca sold jewelry and sold more than we did. Riley decided that he wanted to do the Homerville idol singing competition. So, he came and got me to give permission and the ladies were very sweet to him. He sang his song and played borrowed drums. He had everyone clapping and cheering. He got a tee shirt for third place. Festivals are very interesting, some better than others. A lot of work are put into them. I think the kids enjoy going with us. I feel bad that I let Becca get burnt and that Riley had to protect granddaddy 's bike. We got home and ordered pizza, because we were tired. Thanks Becca and Riley for a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Mark

Mark is not big on birthdays, so, I am calling this the first anniversary of his retirement. We have had a great year. We have traveled around buying ans selling stuff. We have met a lot of interesting people and seen a lot of beautiful places. God has blessed us with many mini blessings.

taking kids camping

Picked kids up and headed to mom's house for a visit and lunch. I told her not to go to a lot of trouble for lunch. So of course we ate meatballs, okra, cream corn, peas, sweet potatoes, sweet tea, cornbread, rice, and freshly made pound cake. The big table was full of food and family to eat together and visit. Becca and Riley ate and ran out to the fort to play with the cousins. Mid afternoon we headed to Swanee River State Park. We set up camp. Then we took a long walk, while the kids road their bikes on the trail. We had to stop every few minutes to climb trees, look at the river and stand around while they road up and down sink holes. We had camp food, camp fires, roasted marsh mellows, played cards, rode bikes, read, took naps, ate snacks, and explored historical places. We met other campers and went with them to the river to play on rafts and swim in the river near the boat ramp. We saw all kind of trees, including one that was cut down by beavers. We had time to talk to the kids and listen to these incredible young people in our lives. They are growing up so fast. I hope that they do not out grow to soon.

legacy on a grave head stone

We were in a family cemetary in a state park reading head stones. This one read 1847. She died at 23 leaving a seven month old baby. Four hours before she died, she told her family and friends that she was happy and would see them in heaven. Then the head stone read, " a glorious death." Precious in the sight of God is the death of one of his saints. Blessed are those who die in the Lord. Over hundred and fifty years after her death, her life is a testimony to all who read about her. I read another head stone in the same family cemetery that said: Our Mother's virtues which are many are written on the hearts of her children who placed this simple marker here. What about us, what do we want written on our head stone.

Hotel clerks

She is young and beautiful with long brown hair. She is behind the counter as we come in to check in to the Holiday Inn Express. We tell her what we do and that we will be bring boxes in to the room. She gladly gives us a down stairs room and a buggy to help bring in bags and boxes. She says that our retirement sounds awesome. Mark shows her a few things on the computer, He over hears her tell someone that her husband is in Afganistan. We tell her that we are going to an auction and she says she wishes that she could go with us. On the way to the auction we looked for somewhere to eat and finally found a BBQ place next to the Auction. The food was great, the place was family owned and charming. A man was playing a keyboard the whole time, beautiful songs one after the other... Gospel, Soulful, Dixie and Classical music.When we left for the auction we forgot our to-go box. The owner came to the auction and brought it to us with a surprise inside, home made cookies. The auction was good and we bought a lot of things for the Spring festivals. When we get back to the hotel, we gave our clerk a little bunny that we bought, and ask her what her about her husband. His name is Jack and he has been gone since September and will be back sometime in April or May. I promise to pray for him. She gave me milk to go with my cookies from the BBQ place. I may never see her again, but she touched our life. The last Motel that we stayed in was just inside South Carolina and we had picked up a hotel coupon book at the welcome station to present for a saving. Mark walked in and asked for a down stairs nonsmoking room with two Queen size beds. The clerk said that they did not have a down stairs room like that. Mark walked out and back in just in time to hear the clerk talking about him, saying can you believe what he asked for using a coupon. Well, we kind of thought that Hotels want you to use the coupons that they leave at welcome stations. We would have left, if we were so tired and pushed for time The man realized that Mark heard him and tried to make excuses. What a contrast between Hotel experiences. Businesses need to pay attention to who they put in front of the public to represent their companies.