OFF WE GO AGAIN>>>>>of bears and horses

(Jessie July 31, 2007) We're on the road again and have safely, though limpingly, arrived in Virginia to visit with the Hug clan. We drove for four long days across Kentucky and West Virginia to get here. Since we've arrived, we've relaxed by the pool, kayaked, fished and laughed a lot. We're heading out today towards home. Today we'll be visiting Williamsburg and Jamestown.

The RV barely made it and had to go in the shop. The last day was to take us 4 hours, but as we could only get the RV to go an average of 30 mph, it took us 9 hours to get here. It's better now and raring to go.

The kids and I have been reading historical fiction about Jamestown and have finished up this year's study of early American History. Today will be a fabulous field trip to finish up those studies. But it's HOT....hotter than in AR even.

West Virginia took forever to cross as we took our time, wrong turns and maneuvered the hills. It was gorgeous mostly, but hard to look at at times. The poverty is strikingly obvious and the highways littered with garbage. We preferred the eastern part of the state and camped in a national forest and want to return with more time. We road our bikes to waterfalls and followed a cascading river full of fish. It was lovely. As we were settling down for sleep, I heard some noises and peered out our window to witness a 200 pound black bear licking off the hamburger remains from our grill. The girls were still awake and got to view him. Really exciting to safely view one from 10 feet away!

Alena has had an amazing journey. She realized a lifelong passion and got to ride her first horse. Uncle Phil took her to the stables and took her for a ride. She even got to trot! With the pool in the backyard, she swam so much her little toes are blistered on the bottom. At one point she simply took off her swimmies and climbed in the pool. WAIT we cried! I said "let's let her try." Away she went, dogpaddling with no support at all. We practiced and practiced for an hour. Her excitement was her only hindrance as she had a hard time closing her huge grin and kept taking on water. She has a little cousin, Andrew, here who is only 6 days older and they have been instant best pals, inseperable.

Wilson & Rachel have played hard with their cousin Austin and have been performing for us. They also have little swimming pool blisters and their arms are tired from fishing. Rachel caught 3 yesterday!

So, home we go....we'll try to check back in soon. We'll pass through a bit of the Smokey Mountains and then see our Cobb cousins in TN. We'll be home on Sunday! Hasta Luego!