Lazy Days at the Lake

Last year 4 piano teachers went to Lake Hiwasee, and we recently made a return trip. Catherine Seigler is the hostess with a vacation home in the Bear Paw community outside of Murphy NC.

Piano ladies: Kathryn Martha, Catherine,and Leigh

One of the things I learned last year was these ladies love to shop. We stopped in Blue Ridge for lunch and some shopping. I bought a pair of Teva's and an Infinity scarf, which you can see in many of the pictures.

We stopped at Mercier's Orchard, and here is their 
version of the Weather Channel!!!

In front of an Amish carriage in Blue Ridge

Catherine prepared delicious meals at the lake. The first night included pork roast, butter beans, watermelon salad, and wild rice. 

What do four piano teachers do while relaxing at the lake? We took walks in the neighborhood, slept in, read, sat on the porch, and enjoyed the lake! Besides swapping stories, we also watched The Tourist with Johnny Depp. We do NOT talk shop the whole time, but we do discuss teaching and our students. A shopping trip to our favorite Atlanta music store is already planned for August, and lunch, of course!

Martha telling one of her fun stories!

Kathryn and Catherine enjoy the cool water.

Leigh enjoying a magazine after dinner.

We didn't always have cell service at the lake, but there is satellite TV.  On our first morning we learned of the mass shooting in Colorado. While the tragedy didn't spoil our trip, it made us realize life is fragile and each day should be lived to the fullest.  

Being at the lake with these wonderful women for several days allowed me to recharge for the upcoming year!

On our return to Rome, Catherine took us to Cucina Rustica in Blue Ridge. It is a nice Italian restaurant.  The portions are huge, so we ordered only two entrees and shared. If you plan to eat here I suggest making reservations, and save room for dessert.  

Chocolate cake and ice cream!

New and Old at Berry College

Summer at Berry used to mean a deserted campus, where only the deer roamed and the tractors roared.  Now you find a plethora of camps that enjoy the Berry beauty while golfing, swimming, volleying, running, learning about leadership and healthy lifestyles. For the very young, there are Kindermusik camps and classes from which to choose.  On the Mountain campus you will find Winshape Camps and horse camp. 

Students stay in the summer to work campus jobs when finding employment at home is difficult. They also take classes to get ahead in their studies. 

When students return to campus this fall they will find new historical markers around campus.  These are wonderful for those who take the driving tour of Berry.  For students, it means learning the history of their beloved Alma Mater via signs, and more stops by visitors!

One of the historical markers, Cabin in the Pines

After the storms of April 2011 many trees were destroyed or damaged.  One of the beloved trees near Ford Complex held a swing. Many students have taken a break from their studies to swing beneath this tree.  Even though this tree initially survived, it became unhealthy and unstable. Today the tree was removed.

Goodbye Tree 

Snow Day in May

We love to find snow when we travel to National Parks.  We typically take our trips in May and June which makes the cold, white stuff very exciting for us Georgians!  Colorado didn't have a lot of snow this past winter, but we still found it in the higher elevations of Rocky Mountain National Park.  The date we traveled Trail Ridge Road was May 30, and it was cold and windy.  

Happy, yet cold!

Trying to stay warm or maybe to NOT slide down.

Brandon and Aaron throwing snowballs at the girls

Oops! Brandon takes a spill, but Aaron stands his ground.

Alyssa wasn't prepared for the cold, so she is hiding from the cold wind.

Family Photo Op! Can you hear our teeth chattering?

The next day we went to Bear Lake.  Randy, Kate and I were here in January 2008 when we flew to Boulder for Jonathan and Sarah's wedding. That day was 11 degrees and blowing snow. We actually walked on the lake as it was totally frozen.  

Randy and Kate walking on the frozen lake

A younger Kate trying to stay warm

The trail to Bear Lake

Our May day at Bear Lake we found a miniscule amount of snow, but the kids still managed to throw snowballs.

Kate and Carrie waiting to pelt Aaron with a snowball.

Forming the perfect snowball

Bear Lake has many trails to hike, but we just did the loop around the lake.  It provides beautiful views whether in winter or spring.

Nobles and Williams at Bear Lake

Blonde Roots?

All my kids have dark hair, but some days they say the BLONDEST things. Here's a sample:


Carrie doesn't like watermelon. She says it's too dry.


Alyssa used to have a fish, and Carrie asked if fish get thirsty! Maybe the fish would like some Fanta.


Before Alyssa graduated college she said "if I don't buy a new computer, maybe I'll buy a horse!"


Carrie mentioned her friend raises bees, and that she got to sample the honey.  Kate ask if it's fresh squeezed honey!!

Travel Days

Colorado is a diverse state, but it takes many miles in a car or bike to see all that it has to offer.  Our journey to Centennial State meant long days of travel.  The young adults (i.e., kids) passed time by reading, listening to music, sleeping, aggravating one another and playing Phase 10. With so much beautiful scenery, we had frequent stops to oooh and aaahhh, and to take a few snapshots.

The trip from Dolores to Grand Junction had one alien sighting. Brandon and Alyssa were certain they saw a silver spaceship among the mountains.  I think it can be attributed to the altitude!

Oooh and Aaaahhh, plus looking for that elusive alien!

We traveled the San Juan Skyway, which is noted for it's beautiful views and quaint towns. We made  stop in Telluride to ride the free gondola.  Telluride is known for skiing in the winter and an independent film festival in the spring. It's a very commercial village, but the free tram was worth the visit.

Exiting the gondola

Call home when you exit the tram!

The gondola is to take visitors from one village to the next, so you enjoy the festivals without using a car.  Since you will need transportation once you depart make sure to take your bikes along, and still be green!

To save money on the trip we pack picnics for travel days.  It's always fun to find a great picnic place.  On this particular day we stopped in Ridgway, known as the gateway to the San Juan Mountains. Ridgway was the the setting for several movies, including "True Grit".

Ridgway Town Park

A common sight throughout Colorado were the clinics where you could get your prescriptions for marijuana filled.  Apparently there are many sick people in Colorado, and they all need weed for medicinal purposes.

There are many hot springs in Colorado, and we contemplated a visit, but time didn't allow, and they are pricey! One of the springs had a "clothing optional" pool.  YIKES!


Glenwood Springs had amazing hot springs, and Kate was bummed that we didn't get to enjoy them.  We did explore a bit of the town, and learned about Doc Holliday.  After years of gambling and gun slinging he came to Glenwood Springs in hopes that the springs would heal him of his illnesses. Unfortunately he died in bed with his boots off!

Next stop - Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park!

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Big enough to be overwhelming, yet intimate...that is a good description of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  This was one of the places we considered NOT going on our Colorado trip, but it was impressive and we were enchanted by it's beauty.  This National Park has some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock and craggiest spires in the US. It is called "black" because the steep, narrow walls allow very little sunlight to penetrate it.  The visitor center has an excellent orientation of the park, but it is hard to get away from the views along the rim trails.

View into the canyon

My family all enjoyed getting as close to the canyon edge as possible, hence scaring me to death.  I would not look when I saw them wander over to ledge. At one point Randy actually laid down to look down into the gorge.

Aaron taking the perfect picture from a rock on the edge

Loving siblings and a moose kiss

The canyon is 48 miles in length, has 2000 foot cliffs and the narrowest width on the rim is 1100 feet.  You can drive the canyon rim road, and enjoy short hikes to incredible views.  With a permit you can hike down to the Colorado River.  You can also enjoy a guided boat trip down the river. Our trip didn't allow for exploring the river, but my brother and sister-in-law did the boat trip and loved it.  For those who are experienced you can go canyoneering.  For me, I'll take the conservative view from behind the fences!

Painted Walls, the tallest cliffs in the Canyon