First Day of School 2019

Two 8th Graders and a High School Junior!

Hiking in the Heat

It was 95 degrees, but that made for light traffic on the Indian Staircase Trail in Red River Gorge for Dad and this group of family and friends.

Trying to climb under the Council Rock Shelter

Cousin Hunter

A little hoops while waiting for our pizza at Miguel's

Hamilton

Mom & Dad celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary by going to see the musical Hamilton in Louisville.

Of course, we had to stop at our favorite Louisville restaurant - the Seafood Lady!

Summer Vacation Part Two: Myrtle Beach and Wilmington

The second leg of our vacation had two purposes: get Amy to the beach and get A.J. to a Soccer ID Camp college visit.

Our first time to the Redneck Riviera - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Mom made it to the beach!

Dad is not so much of a beach person.

 

Mom & Chloe

Mom and Dad take an evening stroll on the beach.

A.J. took part in a Soccer ID Camp at Coastal Carolina University.

The Chanticleer mascot

Bad weather plagued our trip, and A.J.'s camp was moved inside much of the time.

Another downpour sent us through the drive-thru for supper.

Another evening beach stroll

Chloe

Our next stop was Wilmington, North Carolina, where A.J. had a college visit scheduled at UNC Wilmington.

Amy's birthday seafood dinner came recommended by none other than Guy Fieri - Something Fishy.

Just look at all that great fried seafood!

Essie enjoyed the smells!

We took a self-peddled bike tour of Wilmington.

Enjoying the riverwalk

The U.S.S. North Carolina

 

On the way home - Pilot Mountain, North Carolina

Andy Griffith's childhood home in Mt. Airy, North Carolina

Summer Vacation Part One: Asheville & Blue Ridge Mountains

We headed to the beach to celebrate Amy's 40th birthday, but to break up the trip we stopped to spend a couple of days in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina.

View from the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway

A.J. & Essie

Mom & Dad

Don't forget Chloe!

The rhododendrons were in bloom!

 

Chloe

Rhododendron

Chloe

Essie

Fog and wind settled in when we got to the peak.

Essie

Cold and windy for mid-June!

We thought this Asheville restaurant seemed right up our alley.

We were right - great burgers!

Before getting our exercise on day two, we had some awesome donuts at Vortex Doughnuts.

Weather kept us close to Asheville, so we checked out the North Carolina Arboretum.

Essie "teaching a nature class"

Mom enjoys a sandwich at Which Wich.

With rain in the forecast, we headed inside to watch Disney's Aladdin remake.

Everyone wanted to go back to the hotel for a nap, but Dad got in some more hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Dad sees a bear in the wild for the first time ever!

More great food at the Cornerstone restaurant

After a nice time in Asheville, next stop: the beach!