Saturday, October 10, 2015, Providence Canyon SP

It had been cloudy for the past couple of days, so we stayed in, taking care of a few little things.  Obviously, there was a lot of catching up on the blog. We installed a pair of wall racks for storing the laptops when not in use (which means not very often).  I made them using 1/4 inch oak and I have some reservations about how rugged they are.

Today there was still a chance for rain, but the sun was peeking through the clouds, so it was a good time for a visit to Providence Canyon State Park just 9 miles down the road.  It is a small park with just a single spur roadway, maybe two miles long, leading to the visitors center.  We were surprised by the number of visitors until we realized it was Saturday.  There were several hiking choices, but we opted for just a quick stroll along the canyon rim trail.  We could see folks hiking below in the canyon which will have to wait for another day.

While there was a lot of color in the canyon walls, it was easy to see the real beauty of this park was still a few weeks away when the leaves turn.  

We found several mushrooms that had popped up after the rain with color to rival the canyon walls.  I thought an extreme close-up was in order - Joani decided to include me for scale.  It really was pretty big. The top was the size of a large hamburger bun.

"Caesar's Mushroom* (Amanita Caesarea Greville Complex)  If you follow the link, you can see they look very different when they first pop up.

Joani found I could get my National Park Pass at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge nearby.  We did not expect to find the place closed just after noon on a Saturday.  Oh well, onward into Eufaula, AL where we tried some local southern home cooking at Barb's Country Kitchen. It was nicely reviewed and it had potential, but we made the mistake of sitting down 10 minutes before the buffet closed, so the food was a bit sparse and a little past its prime.

After eating, we drove down one of the main streets and found ourselves in the middle of a street fair.  Many of the town's buildings were in need of some restoration.  It was clear, however, this quaint little town was full of southern charm. 

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

I'm not really sure what happened to September, but I blinked and it was gone!  I know we have done enough purging and downsizing that everything we intend to keep (that doesn't fit in the motorhome) will fit nicely in a 10 x 10 foot storage unit.  I guess that should make me feel pretty good about our efforts.  We were both more than ready to continue our travels and I'm pretty sure the newlyweds were ready to have the house to themselves again.

We had already taken a couple of full car loads to the coach already, so this morning one last carload was all we needed.  I don't know why I expected to get away by 10:00, but fortunately, it was not critical, so 12 noon was OK too.

Driving the coach was like riding a bicycle - after a few minutes, it was like I never took a break.  That was good because driving through the heavy Atlanta traffic is always a challenge for any level of expertise. Our first stop was a short 182.2 miles (75,257.1 miles total) away in Florence Marina State Park.  The park was a few miles south of Omaha, GA (who knew there was an Omaha, GA?) which was about 20 miles south of Columbus, GA.  Our route actually took us into Alabama for a while.

It was a beautiful day for traveling.  The park only had a few other campers, but it will be full over the weekend.  The park was only about 9 miles from Providence Canyon State Park and about 30 miles from Columbus, GA which has a lot to explore.  Florence Marina is on the Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula for those across the border in Alabama) on the Chattahoochee River.  As you can see below, the park has plenty of beauty on its own.

Saturday, October 3, 2015 - Maker Faire

The annual Maker Faire is a venue for inventors and entrepreneurs with a focus on science and engineering.  We have never attended before, but this year it was different.  Hyrel, the company currently employing our son, Jon, was there to display their wares.

It rained most of the day, but that didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the many patrons who found a way to enjoy many of the hands-on exhibits.

The Hyrel 3D printer is unique in an ever-growing field by featuring "hot-swappable" printer heads.  We are thrilled that Jon has a job he enjoys so much!  We met some of his bosses and co-workers and can see why he is happy there.

The Hyrel 3D printer can print with 4 printer heads simultaneously.

It can also print using a variety of materials - Clay, Plas cine, Sugru, Silicone RTV, Porcelain, ABS, PLA, Nylon, T-glaze, PEEK, Polypropylene and more.

Another booth featured a company that does unique welding.  Below they transformed an ordinary armchair into the most comfortable, if impracticable, cycling machine.

Happy Birthday, Kate!  Hope you have as much fun as this kid!!!

Jon, an early Happy Birthday to you!!  Love you both so much!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2015 - Barnsley Gardens Lunch

Joani will be celebrating the big six-oh at the end of the month.  Our longtime friend, Jan, invited us out to lunch for her birthday (a few days early).  Jan went over the top with a trip to Barnsley Gardens.   

Thank you, Jan, for a fantastic day!!!  I'm blessed to have such a great friend!

Jan managed to plan the lunch without letting us know she had also invited Robin and Sonny (neighborhood friends who moved to Chattanooga).  She managed to keep the reason for the lunch a secret from them as well so we were all pleasantly surprised.

Jan, Robin and I were once on the same tennis team eons ago (such good memories).

After a great lunch, Jan led us on a walking tour of the grounds.  They have some of the most adorable cottages there laid out as an intimate neighborhood surrounded by a beautiful golf course and clubhouses and restaurants.

We finished the tour with the remains of the original manor house and the gardens.  I am sure, in its prime, this was truly a magnificent estate!

The manor ruins and beautiful gardens are the perfect venues for a wedding and...

...and reception.  Candles were tucked everywhere in nooks and crannies, I would love to see it at night.

The manor in its glory days.

The guy below was passionate about the history of the estate.  He has authored books and eagerly filled me in on the unique features of the oven designed by the owner.  It was ahead of its time including an automatic rotisserie powered by heat rising in the flue.

Barnsley historian and museum director, Clent Coker, seemed thrilled to have an interested audience.  He was certainly a wealth of information.

This was such a special place and you needn't stay in one of the cottages to check it out.  At the gate, just say you are eating at the Woodlands Grill and they will wave you right in.  After you eat you are free to explore the grounds.

Saturday, August 1, 2015 - Jon and Sara's Wedding

The big day was finally at hand!  I relented and dressed up for the event in a tuxedo.  What I did not foresee was that when Sara's dad, Ira, and I were dressed the same we would be mistaken for each other so many times.  I guess we do have the same blonde hair.

David and Ira hamming it up.

The boys kept it loose in the prep room.

I don't remember Jon being taller than me, so the ground must have been a little uneven.  I have to admit we both made the tuxedos look good!

Jon's glasses turn dark in the sun, so he is wearing David's for the outside photos and can't see a thing.

The music started and it was go-time.  Jon escorted his grandmother to her seat.

Sara managed to hold things together during the vows after Jon gave her a look that said: "You've got this" and they both finished beautifully.

Mr. and Mrs. Parriott

This is the Ennis side of Sara's very large family...

...and this is the Waldschmidt side.

The Goodman (my maiden name) and Parriott sides of Jon's family.

The reception was held at the Roswell River Landing with the Chattahoochee River as a backdrop.

Mr. and Mrs. Parriott of nearly 40 years and Mr. and Mrs. Parriott of just over two weeks.

Don said the photographer grew weary of his photobombing, but they are some of my favorite shots!

Everyone was still mingling outside enjoying cocktails by the river waiting for the bride and groom to arrive.

Fabulous food enjoyed with fantastic friends!

 Oh my, I love these people!!!

More of my favorite people!  Love you guys!!!

Joani and our daughter, Katie, spent many hours overnight putting together the "Steampunk" themed cake.  The sugar glass window on the third tier covers an array of gears giving it a Victorian era, Jules Verne feel.

This picture puts a big smile on my face every time I see it!  The look on Hanna's face!  The look on Jan's face!  The look on Ron's face!  It is perfect!

That's my baby brother, Ron, and his two beautiful daughters, Lily and Chloe.

The weather was perfect as the happy couple was chauffeured from the reception in a classic 1957 Chevy - that's making an exit in style!

The happy couple spent almost two weeks in Japan for their honeymoon and say they would love to go back someday.

Thank you, Charlene, for taking such beautiful photos of their special day!!!