Time Flies (Pisgah Forest, NC)

OMG!  Where has the time gone?  We've been terrifically busy since I last blogged.  We have worked far more than usual for reasons not worth explaining.  In between we haven't had any huge events but lots of pleasing smaller events.  So lets get started.

Oct. 21 we went to Asheville.  We started the day with breakfast at a well reviewed little organic place.  It was unique but the food was not as good as Debbie had hoped.  None the less, it was a pleasant outing.  We then went to the Asheville Farmers Market.  Produce and fruit everywhere....what did I expect?  Really the market had lots of interesting products.  Debbie bought a few do-dads.  Then we went to the WNC Craft Show.  Lots and lots of high dollar crafts.  Nice to see but, no, we didn't buy anything.

Oct. 24 our new friends for life, Bart and Donna completed their volunteering stint and departed.  It was an emotional parting.  We will see them again!

Bart and Donna volunteered in maintenance

Oct. 25 we went to visit "Summerville Donna" and Rich at Charlie's house in Sapphire Valley.

Rich and Donna (Debbie's friend for more than 30 years)

They were visiting from Oklahoma.  Charlie was removing a homemade apple pie from the oven as we arrived.  What a nice way to start a visit.

Charlie with his delicious apple pie

We yakked, had a nice lunch at a nearby golf course restaurant with a fantastic view, yakked some more and departed.  We will see Donna and Rich again on our way out west.
Oct. 27 Debbie and I spent some of the day walking around Brevard.  It's a cute, artsy town.  Pleasant.

Oct.28 we attended our volunteer appreciation dinner.  It was held here in the Discovery Center.  It was a very nice event.  The food was good and the camaraderie was genuine.  There were several gestures of impressive kindness and generosity.  It was the prelude to the beginnings of our goodbyes.

Duane was pleasantly surprised by the fudge he received from Jean and Bud

Jean passed out handmade dish cloths she crocheted.  So nice! 

Oct. 30 our team leaders Dr. Charles and Sue departed.  We never felt like we were working for them, we always felt like we were simply working with them.  They couldn't have done anything more to make our first volunteering effort so enjoyable.

Dr. Charles and Sue Cottingham, our team leaders

Dick and Sue Smith also departed.  We told Sue that no one had ever been more generous nor shown us more kindness in such a short period of time and we meant it! 

Sue and Dick with Cody (a great young fellow who works the fee gate and who we all "adopted")

Debbie and Sue Smith with the afghan Sue helped Debbie make

Prize winning people! We will work hard at seeing these friends in the future.

Later that afternoon Debbie and I  went to see some great little waterfalls.  Their location is not marked by a sign and we had some trouble finding them but they are actually right off the road.  A 3 minute walk took us to a place of serenity.

Looking back, I must conclude that the last couple of weeks have been quite emotional.  It's all good.  We love our life and we're greatful for new and old friends.

Duane