Camping on Lake Murray

Last weekend Grant and I went camping on Lake Murray with his Scout Troop.  The boys worked on Water Sports and Canoeing merit badges as well as other advancement requirements.  The weather was questionable going into the weekend, but turned out to be great where we were.  To top it off we had delicious BBQ Chicken for dinner Saturday night.  Here are some of the pics I took:

Flickr

Through Hiker!

A week ago I completed the remaining 46+ miles of the Foothills Trail (from Table Rock State Park to Upper Whitewater Falls). Last Year, I did the western section (Upper Whitewater Falls to Oconee State Park) with Paul and Kyle, but this year I finished it up with my pal, Tom. It was a rough 5-day trip, with rain all day on Friday and into the night, but otherwise beautiful. We finished safely and on schedule.

I always learn some things that help me fine tune my technique. Here are some of the things I learned (or re-learned) this trip:

1. Beef Jerky is really just not that good.
2. Pack and dress in layers. Don't bring a 2lb Goretex pull-over, unless it's snowing. A rain shell and a fleece is better.
3. Mountain House dehydrated lasagna is awesome.
4. You can't pack too many M&M's.
5. 1 pair of gloves is enough.
6. 2 pairs of underwear are NOT enough.
7. Trekking poles are awesome after you've had a high ankle sprain.
8. Alcohol stoves are too slow when you're hungry.
9. Wet socks take forever to dry in the rain forests of NC/SC.
10. If backpacking during bear hunting season, DON'T wear black!
    

Welcome to SC!

New Belgium Brewing's Fat Tire Amber Ale is now available in South Carolina! Oh, and Alan moved back here too. Double Horray!

Co-ink-a-dink?

Has anyone else noticed the similarities between Gov Sanford's Argentinean Mistress and his gubernatorial successor of choice, Nikki Haley? It's just a coincidence, right?

Returning to Nashville

Last weekend we traveled up to Nashville to attend Monica and Gabe's wedding. They were high schoolers back when we helped with the church's youth group and Sonshine choir. It was great to see so many former youth all grown up and married and all. The wedding was at our old church. Blythe caught the bouquet.

On the way up we stopped at Chickamauga Battlefield and made our way to the marker where our ancestor, George Schumpert, most likely fell in battle. This was the same spot where we took my grandfather in August 2007.

Our pal, Greg, and his daughter, Noel, were gracious hosts and competitive Wii players. We also got to have dinner with the Linney family and catch up just like old times. Sadly we didn't get to see all our old friends, but it was a busy weekend and perhaps too close to Christmas to see everyone.

Our old house looked terrible, which was sad, but Nashville has grown and changed alot. Nevertheless, within less than a day I was ready to be home, back in good old SC. Not sure when THAT happened, but it was a comforting realization.

Sleep over on the USS Yorktown

December has been a really busy month for us and I haven't had a chance to blog much, but I intend to make up for it.


A couple of weekends ago we spent two nights aboard the USS Yorktown, in Charleston, SC, with Grant's Cub Scout Pack. It was cold and the quarters were crowded, but it was a fun experience for the whole family. We took a boat over to Fort Sumter where we got to help raise a historical flag and then tour the fort. Here are some pictures:

O' Tannenbaum

At the prompting of Charlotte, Kyle, and Jim, here's our Christmas tree...

Me not feel so good...

I hate being sick, but I've discovered the wonders of the Nettie Pot. An excellent, although unattactive, way to cleanse one's sinuses.

Ridin' the Candy Tractor

As a Thanksgiving tribute to my buddy, Kyle, I rode the tractor to my uncle's for Thanksgiving. See his post from last June if this doesn't make sense.

Cub Scout Camping Weekend

Over Columbus Day weekend we went camping with Grant's Cub Scout Troop at Morrow Mountain State Park, in NC. It was a long drive (about an hour east of Charlotte), but worth it. They had a great group camping area, a river, hiking trails, historical buildings to tour, and the ranger gave an interesting lecture on wildlife. Also, the kids seems to find at least half a dozen snakes to harass. A good time was had by all (except the snakes).

Sea Lions and Conga Lines

This year the SC State Fair featured a trained Sea Lion act. It was great and we even got to have our photo made with the stars (for a fee, of course.) The best part was when the Sea Lions joined in a Conga Line with the trainers.

Followers?

If you haven't noticed, there's a little Blogger Widget on the side of my blog that says "Follow this Blog". So far only may pal, Paul, is following me. If you're like me, and follow everyone's blogs via Google Reader, you hardly ever look at the actual blogs to notice things like this or poles/surveys, or other little gizmo's. Anyway, come to my blog and click on that little thing, so your profile photo will show up on my blog. I want to see all of your tiny faces there.

Thanks,
The Management

Scout's Honor

This year Grant moved up to Webelos and I became a registered Adult Scout Leader. I've completed my training and got all uniformed up too. Grant received four badges and several other awards at the pack meeting on Thursday, mostly for stuff he did at camps over the Summer. Don't we look cute?

Seen last week...

Now THAT's one way to deal with a gas shortage!

Fridge Magnets

At Kyle's prompting, here's a photo of my fridge with all of it's magnetized crap.

Whooo Weee! Lance is BACK, Baby!

http://www.livestrong.com/lance2009/

Above: Lance rides in Augusta, at the 2005 Tour de Georgia.

Zzzzzzzzzz

I'm here. And I'm flattered to have received several prompts to post something. I didn't realize anyone actually read this blog. Anyway, after a very hectic August (at work) I'm ready to resume my blogging duties.


Here's a montage of some of the non-work things I've been doing in August:

Happy Birthday, Blythe!

Today, my baby girl turns 8. I'm very proud that she is growing into such a beautiful and talented young lady. I just wish she wouldn't do it so fast.

Above: Blythe commentating from Beijing.

Weekend in NC

Last weekend we went up to Cary, NC to visit with the Greens and to attend Malana's and Eric's wedding. Below are the highlights (or "low lights"):

Above: Alan and Leslie hang out by their fire pit on a brisk August evening.

Above: Grant and Jenna create toy water crafts at Marbles science museum, in Raleigh.

Above: Blythe and Meredith make floating junk of their own.

Above: Alan in front of a section of the Berlin Wall (West Berlin side).

Above: George on the other side of the section of the Berlin Wall (East Berlin side).

Above (clockwise): Meredith, Grant, Blythe, and Jenna at Marbles (or inside the Death Star. It's hard to tell.

Above: Jennifer and Blythe broiling at the outdoor wedding. It was beautiful though.

Above: Grant enjoys one of many non-alcoholic Mojitos at the wedding reception.

Above: The happy couple and their posse.

Above: Michael in the middle, with Grant and Blythe. We stopped in Fayetteville to visit our former neighbors and let the kids reunite with their old pal.

Above: George reunited with his old friend, Pedro.