And the adventure continues ...

 Day 8
This morning, we headed to the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA. It was a beautiful day to be outside. Here are a few pictures.

After lunch and a short walk around the air-conditioned mall, it was finally time to head to Basye Bryce Mountain to meet our son and his family for our shared vacation. On the way we stopped at the grocery store in Fort Jackson. Our son and family pulled in right ahead of us! And the best part of the trip began...

Days 9 - 13

There was lots of visiting with our son, his wife, and our grandchildren. We all enjoyed 3 root beer tastings (20 kinds of root beer plus one more for floats).

We went to Luray to The Rope Adventure Park. Each of the children amazed me. Each of them were a bit nervous/anxious as they began and each overcame it and did more, much more, than they originally thought they could! It was fun but quite warm - in the 90s. 

The yellow rails are where each person's cable fits overhead. The bottom rails/ropes (brown) are to walk on. The lowest bottoms are 3' off of the ground for anyone under 48" tall. The next level is 12' off the ground and the higher level is 24'. Everyone got somewhat comfortable with the 12' section. The older boys and younger granddaughter spent lots of time 24' above ground! There are 6 rails around the outside and 6 rails going to the middle like the spokes of a wheel.

We enjoyed S'mores, games of 5 Alive, chess, swimming at Lake Laura, jigsaw puzzles, TV - shows, ball games and movies, playing with their Boston Terrier Rosie, visiting, eating, reading and relaxing. 

Ray and I walked each morning in the beautiful Shenandoah Mountains. One morning our son joined us but most of the time we walked before people were awake. 

Our home for the week

A foggy morning

More fog

We all enjoyed the deer in the area. 

Our neighbors put out food for them and we often saw four deer, two fawns, and a buck.

Our younger granddaughter (6th grader to be) likes to bake and spent time helping/baking in the kitchen. 

She now has my bucket hat!

We had a peach dessert, brownies, zucchini bread, and chocolate chip cookies. Steak and shrimp was a hit as well as the Hawaiian ham and provolone  sliders and crock pot Italian beef. We ate one lunch out, one dinner out, and also enjoyed a frozen custard break one day. We ate well! 

The younger grandson (to be 7th grader) was often around in the kitchen and very willing to help with everything. I think the ropes course was the hardest for him but he did it!

The middle grandson will be a freshman in high school. He has changed the most in appearance and personality since we last saw him 3 years ago. He was a joy to be around.

Photo in age order arranged by middle child!

Our oldest grandson will be a senior in high school. We spent time talking about his plans for the future and his views on some of the college visits he's had. 

Really doesn't like his picture taken

Our older granddaughter spent some time on school things; she leaves for her Freshman year of college on Saturday. She has lots of shopping and packing to do this week.

Still flushed from the ropes course

The children all get along so well together. Watching the two older children and the two older boys was like watching 2 best friends. We are so proud of all of them.