Monteagle- Days 13 and 14

Day 13 (Saturday) was highlighted by a number of fun activities: a picnic and (very cold/frigid) swim at Rutledge Falls, a pet show and ice cream sundae social, and dinner at Four Seasons (again!). Day 14 (Sunday/today) was "pack it up and head home day" (and back to the real world).

Here are some pictures from our morning and picnic at Rutledge Falls (our new favorite swimming hole hang out) and the ice cream social.

With the kids in front of the falls

The kids and friends in front of the falls

The perfect swimming hole (if you can get used to the frigidity of the water)

That water is painfully cold (that's me in front of the falls- but not for long!)

Climbing the left side of the falls.

The Sundae barPosing with her Sundae

Monteagle- Day 12

Yesterday (Friday, Day 12) was another memorable day on the mountain. Apart from the usual activities, the highlight included eating supper at Four Seasons (aka, The Bird Restaurant) homestyle, country buffet (it's only open Friday-Sunday, and only in the summer, so we're not sure why it is called "Four" seasons). Anyway, you never leave hungry! After supper we were on a walk and got invited to sit on the Quinlen's porch and eat smoked trout dip. I'm not a big dip guy. But oh my, it was soooo good. Then we went to the playground so the kids could play with a bunch of friends while we talked with Beth Davis, one of the lead counselors for the summer.

Here are some pictures of Thursday's hike to Firey Gizzard.

Monteagle- Day 11

Today's highlights include a kids morning scavenger hunt, walking with Kristy, a short, but furious thunderstorm (the mountain needs rain badly!), lunch in the dining hall, a "progressive supper" for the Eagles (Ann Ferris and Schaeffer's group), and a really fun hike of the Firey Gizzard Trail "day loop" (hope to post photos of that tomorrow- great pics!). Tonight we are having some friends (Joanna D. and Natalie Q.) over for some "porch time."

At the end of our trip, I plan to post photos of various cottages and of the grounds. Until then, here are some more sample shots...

Wading up the creek

Showing off his turtle

B'fast on the porch

With a favorite counselor at the bonfire

Story time

Story time, part 2

The Water Princess

Monteagle- Days 9 & 10

Yesterday (Day 9) the kids played games (capture the flag, spud, dodge ball, etc.), went to crafts and watched March of the Penguins in the auditorium. Schaeffer and I played "HORSE" in the gym (he was on fire!). Last night Kristy made some unreal spaghetti. Today, Kristy had a "ladies lunch & tea" with friends at the Tea Room in Cowan while I took pictures of cottages and of the kids at games (uploaded photos coming soon). This evening we enjoyed a date at The Blue Chair and then returned to the Assembly and walked the grounds while the kids played with a friend named Virginia at the cottage. Oh yeah, Schaeffer and I also played Ultimate Frisbee, which is also the ultimate workout. :0)

Here are some more pictures...

A self-portrait in front of the war memorial cross at Sewanee.

The view of the valley from the steps of the war memorial cross in Sewanee.

SMC and SWC beside our cottage (not pictured).

Sarah Wynn helping me fix a flat tire. :0)

With friend, Elizabeth, in the hammock.

Schaeffer hangin' out

Monteagle- Day 8

Today after "games" in the morning, we ate lunch on the porch and then Ann Ferris went to play cards with a friend while Schaeffer played Ultimate Frisbee. Schaeffer also played with Saxon for a while. Kristy went to the "book swap" at the Winfield House Library while I spent most of the afternoon napping in the hammock on the front porch. Tonight at "all assembly" bingo Kristy won two times in a row, but let the kids get the prizes. Quite a remarkable statistical achievement.

Here are some pictures of our excursion to Greeter Falls creek on Saturday...

The group picture

Sarah Wynn on the creek walk (or creek sit)

With Schaeffer's Steve Irwin instincts, he was bound to find a creature.

The swimming hole

The kids (and dog)

Monteagle- Days 6 & 7

Yesterday (day 6) we went on an excursion with several families to Greeter Falls creek and swimming hole. That trip has become something of a tradition. In the evening we attended a party hosted by the Quinlens of Memphis. Got into a late-night discussion about politics and religion. So much fun! Today (day 7) began with me teaching the young adult Sunday School class at the assembly and worship in the chapel. Afterward, we enjoyed lunch with the Catletts (Nashville friends) at the dining hall, and I rested in the hammock and played "horse" with Schaeffer in the gym. Finally, Kristy took the kids back to the chapel for a dramatic reading for adults and children. Tonight Kristy is looking forward to putting her feet up and watching Masterpiece Theater Mystery. I may watch it, too, or join her after going for a moonlight walk around the grounds. Below are some more recent pics. So far we've uploaded 225 photos on flickr.com (search my name and click on Monteagle Summer 2008 set).

With Joanna Douglas and the Quinlens for a late-night "all adult" hang out.

Schaeffer with friends catching crawdads in one of the creeks.

The kids getting ready for the hay-ride.

A special "mother/daughter" moment at The Blue Chair Bakery.

We hosted the desert for the progressive supper for "the eagles" on our porch on Thursday.

Schaeffer and Ann Ferris at the campfire with smores which was held at "the point."

Sarah Wynn playing water games on Friday morning with the "hummingbirds."

Schaeffer playing basketball with the boys.

Ann Ferris serving in the King position (or I suppose Queen position) in nine-square, which takes four-square to a new level.

Monteagle- Day 5

I forgot to mention that yesterday at games the kids has a mass scavenger hunt which they really enjoyed. Today was "water games" in the morning, with Schaeffer playing soccer in the afternoon and Ann Ferris going on a nature hike to the Coal Mines with the "eagles" age group. Schaeffer also got in some crawdad time in the creek with some friends. Tonight we ate at Crust in Sewanee and then hosted Joanna Douglas and Natalie and Thomas Quinlin on the porch for some adult late-night hang time. Tomorrow (Saturday) several families are going on an excursion to a swimming hole near Tracy City.

Monteagle- Day 4

Today after games, Ann Ferris went to arts and crafts while Schaeffer played tennis with his buddy, Walker. This evening, their age group had a progressive supper. The plan for a progressive supper is to "progress" from one stage of the meal to the next: the appetizer at one cottage, the main course at another cottage, and the desert at our cottage! After that they went to a bonfire to eat smores at "the point"- a scenic spot overlooking the valley about 2,100 feet below. With lows in the 50s (I'm wearing a fleece on the porch right now), a bonfire in June is not merely endurable, but actually is quite enjoyable. The highlight of tomorrow's agenda is an afternoon nature hike with a park ranger and then hayrides. After the kids are "down," Kristy and I are hosting some friends for a late-night adult get together on the porch of our cottage.

Fire Truck & Safety Day

Sarah Wynn's "Hummingbird" Group

Daddy and his littlest girl

Schaeffer playing soccer on an old tennis court. When you love the game, you'll play anywhere.

Daddy and Sarah Wynn going down the slide at the pool.

Ann Ferris enjoying the water.