For the past two weeks Irene and Martin, Simon's Parents, have been in town to visit form Germany. They arrived Saturday the 20th around dinner time. Sunday we went to church, had lunch with our friends Jennifer and Kent, and then took them to downtown Greenville for the afternoon.
At Reedy Falls
Irene, Simon, me
Monday Martin and Irene left to go north, to the Table Rock area, where they had rented a cabin for the week.
The next weekend Simon and I drove up to join them for Friday, Saturday and most of Sunday.
Here are a few pictures of the Cabin. They were so sweet to rent one with two bedrooms so we didn't have to sleep on the fold-out couch. That was really nice!
Outside the cabin as we were walking in
Front door and dining area
Kitchen
Living room with the wonderful fire place
Porch
The fire wood. We had a fire at every moment possible. It was really nice. -perfect fire weather.
Our bedroom
The hall/stairwell with the frightening deer head
Friday night we ate dinner and then just talked until we all went to bed.
Saturday morning we woke up early to go kayaking.
This is the little lake where we kayaked.
Ours- YELLOW :)
Simon :)
Theirs
Not an awesome picture of us but the only close up one I managed to take.
It was a beautiful, serene morning. I LOVED it. Thank you so much Martin and Irene for planning that for us. I had never been Kayaking before and it was really easy and fun. I really hope to be able to do it again.
Okay, after kayaking. We went back to the cabin and planned the rest of our day.
We decided to drive up to a little overlook ( I'm sure it had a name but I don't remember it and apparently didn't take a picture) and then to Jumping off rock.
Here is the view from the lookout and the first family picture of the weekend.
It was a REALLY twisty and bumpy drive up the Jumping Off Rock. About 20 minutes of paved twisty road and then an hour of graveled, bumpy, twisty roads. I get motion sickenss. As you might imagine, it was not a super enjoyable drive for any of us. (although it was pretty). We stopped about 3 times so I could regain a bit of stomach composure.
One positive thing about all of the stops: we got some nice pictures at the lookout points.
The leaves were all at the perfect mid-change stage. It was so wonderful. I could see a hint of God's beauty everywhere we went.
Proof that it really WAS called that.
The view from the top. It was worth it but I would not do it again. My stomach was sick for the rest of the trip. Pitiful I know.
Simon and his Dad lookin' out off of Jumping Off Rock.
After a little looking, we headed back down.
The car got a little dirty...
This is the visitors center "near" the cabin and a beautiful view of the Blueridge Mountains.
Dock at the Visitors center.
After all of that we went back to the cabin for dinner. We stayed in the rest of the night and enjoyed the fire and some wine.
Irene and I decided Saturday night to do a puzzle that was there in the cabin. I think the guys were a little skeptical we would finish it but it was completed the next morning when they got up. HA
Sunday we all agreed we wanted to sleep in and have a lazy morning. After a little devotional and communion at the cabin we went on a mile hike to the top of Twin Falls. There wasn't much to see but it was a nice hike. Then we drove a little ways and did a short 1/4 mile hike to the base of the same Twin Falls. A much nicer view!
One of my favorite sites that we saw!
Here are a few random pictures from our hikes.
We had an early dinner and then Simon and I left that night to head back home. Martin and Irene stayed one more night.
Monday night they arrived again at out apartment and stayed with us until Friday evening when they left for Germany. During those 5 days Simon and I were at work most of the time so during the days Martin and Irene were on their own. They did some shopping for the most part. In the evenings we enjoyed dinner and talking together. One afternoon/evening Simon and Martin took a little trip to Atlanta, but that story is for another day and another blog.