Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest Camp Out

Cameron, Jeremy and Jessie take off for a weekend hike and (wet) camp out in the Dolly Sods Wilderness area of Monongahela National Forest in WV.

All of our equipment worked out with great success. It rained for
hours without a leak. Temperatures got down to around 25 degrees at
night and I slept fine using my underquilt and two of the top quilts
that I made. Woke up to icicles on our tarps.(Cameron's commits)

They survived!

Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens in Williston, FL

During our recent stay at Williston Crossing RV Resort we took part in Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens Grand Opening weekend activities. 

Cedar Lakes is made up of over 50 quaint, separate gardens with numerous waterfalls and koi ponds that were born in a 100 year old retired lime rock quarry.

The quarry walls are lined with concrete and rock planters filled with hundreds of species of plants and flowers to create a unique paradise. Rock by rock, each rolled in by wheelbarrows were strategically placed by human hands.

Everywhere you look is "A little slice of heaven"

Swampy's in Dunnellon, FL

The last time Jean and Gerry were in our area we met at Swampy's outdoor restaurant  for a good lunch and to catch up on news.  Swampy's is located overlooking the Rainbow River.

Williston Crossings RV Outing!

Went on our first RV trip with the "Tall Tall Travelers" group from On Top of the World last Wed through the weekend. The destination was Williston Crossings in Williston, FL. As you can see from the photos below Williston Crossings is a very nicely done RV resort and is rated 10x10x10 by Good Sams.

During our trip Jan added another year...

Had a wonder "Southern Dinner" at the award winning Williston Ivy House

Dakotah Winery in Chiefland, FL

Dakotah Winery's first vineyard was planted in 1985.  The original vineyard had a mix of both fresh fruit muscadines and wine muscadines.  Over the years they have fazed out the fresh fruit and replaced them  with only the carlos (white) and noble (red) varieties of muscadine grapes  Currently the main vineyard  is 20 acres in size and located just a couple miles north of the winery in Fanning Springs.  The harvest of  muscadines takes place in august with the fermentation complete by Christmas.

If your in the Chiefland, Fanning Springs area the winery is well worth the stop and their wildlife refuge is a noteworthy addition to the visit.

Behind the tasting room is a deck overlooking a  koi pond.  In addition  to the many koi, a large population of wood ducks call the pond home.  The male wood duck has truly beautiful markings in the springtime of year.   Also in the spring, the baby wood ducks emerge from the nesting boxes.  Once they are able to fly , they are free to come and go at will.  Some of the ducks stay year round,  others return to the wild.

Stella's 1st Birthday!

It was a nice day in Knoxville for Stella's big day. Stella is wearing her "Birthday Dress" and she has a balloon to match.

Having fun on her new birthday swing...

Where are the presents hidden???

After all the party excitement...Nuncle Cameron, Elise, Joe(Dad), Colby(Mom) and Miss Stella.  Sorry, almost forgot, Gus, sitting next to Elise...

Levy County Quilt Museum in Chiefland, FL

    In 1983 eight ladies formed a quilt group.  Mary Brookins thought the group should have a name and maybe even name the group after a quilt block - the Log Cabin Quilters was formed.   By 1986 the ladies had decided they needed a place of their own rather than meeting in each other's homes.   The ladies worked hard to raise the money with yard sales, bake sales, quilt raffles, dinners and donations.  The building was completed and debt free by the early 1990's.  Most of the ladies were in their 60's and older. 

The Levy County Quilt Museum is the only quilt museum in the State of Florida. The museum has things from the past and interesting old quilts.

This was our 1st camping trip with the RV group from "On Top of the World", Tall Tale Traveler.