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.

Monteagle- Day 3

Hello friends and family. Here are some highlights from day 3 on the mountain:

• Games for the kids from 10:00-noon (Mon.-Fri.)
  
• The kids enjoyed meeting some highway patrolmen who gave demonstrations on auto safety as well as gave tours of fire trucks, ambulances, etc.
  
• Schaeffer and I played ultimate Frisbee with a bunch of guys during rest hour (rest for whom?!)
  
• An afternoon of swimming with friends (and water basketball)... Schaeffer also played soccer with a coach and kids from Europe
  
• Breakfast for dinner at The Blue Chair
• Winnie the Pooh movie in the auditorium
• And best of all... "PERFECT" weather- oh my, this is like Garden of Eden weather!

So far we've taken over 200 photos (in only 3 days). So I just set up a flikr account in case you want to see more. Go to flickr.com and search "mckay caston." The only set I've begun is Monteagle- Summer 2008. I haven't uploaded all the pics, but will be posting more as the vacation continues. Here are some sample pics.

At games... if you look closely you will see Schaeffer and Ann Ferris.

Kristy walking with Sarah Wynn across one of the bridges.

The snack shop.

Playing on the hammock.

I just love this picture.

Lunch on the side porch.

SWC ready for a bike ride.

Monteagle- Day 2

Today Kristy and I got up and enjoyed a morning walk around the grounds before the kids left for "games." While they were at games we went to browse Mountain Outfitters (Schaeffer needs some water sandals for the creek) and The Blue Chair. But the highlight of the morning was the garter snake that hangs out around the playground. I got a great picture of the snake hiding in his hole in a railroad tie.

After eating lunch on the porch with the kids, we met a friend at the nine-square court so that Sarah Wynn and one of her buddies could ride bikes. After that we retired to the playground where, while sitting on a picnic table, we encountered an old Ole Miss Chi-O friend that we had not seen since 1992). Following a game of Apples to Apples at Sterling and Summer's cottage, Ann Ferris went to crafts (and made a tie-dye t-shirt) while Schaeffer played tennis with Walker.

Tonight, the kids watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in the cottage while Kristy and I slipped out for our first ever date to High Point, a mini-splurge that included not only awesome atmosphere (in a mountain top stone home turned restaurant that is on the national register of historic places), but also unreal cuisine (lobster bisque and almond crusted mahi mahi). We may not be able to go back for a long time, but we will hang on to the memory of that experience.

As I'm posting, the Boston Celtics have just defeated the Lakers 4-2 to win the NBA Chapionship. And I really do hope to post some pictures very soon.

Monteagle- Day 1

Today was our first full day on the mountain. In the morning the kids had "games" from 10:00-noon. Capture the flag and dodge-ball. Sarah Wynn played in the "hummingbird" area and enjoyed the playground with her counselors. Since my uncle has added on a second porch to the cottage (this one is screened, with two fans, a sitting and dining area, while the other has a hammock, chairs and a swing), we have enjoyed lots of time outside (and eat all our meals out there). This afternoon, after we watched the playoff in the U.S. Open (Tiger Woods came back to win over Rocco Mediate) we caught up with some friends (the Quinlins from Memphis and the Douglass family from North Carolina) and the kids roamed. We will be spending lots of time with these families. Tonight the kids had a moonlight swim with pool games. But most of the boys played basketball in the open air gym. Sarah Wynn is asleep and the big two are getting baths. I'm about to grab a book, read, and hang out with Kristy on the porch. Not a bad first day. Hope to get some photos up tomorrow.

Vacation in Monteagle

Today we leave for our family vacation to Monteagle, TN! We are glad that Al and Sophie will be house-sitting for us while we are gone. I hope to post every now and then to let you know what we're up to.

This is a picture of the front porch of the Edgeworth Inn, a bed and breakfast on the grounds of the Monteagle Assembly. Most of the homes on the grounds were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The Crimson Moon

On Thursday night Kristy and I went on a date for dinner and live music at The Crimson Moon Cafe (known as "The Southeast's Most Intimate Music Venue" because only about 50 folks can fit in the main room, though there is a coffee house in the back and seating upstairs in private rooms and on the balcony overlooking the square). The restaurant is located on Dahlonega's historic town square in a mercantile that was built in 1858. Old hardwood floors, rustic tables and a husband and wife singing 60s, 70s and 80s tunes on an acoustic guitar... and great food.

That's it in the background (picture is from an earlier visit) next to the ice cream parlor. The Crimson Moon hosts live music 5 night a week (including an open mic night on Mondays).

Piano Recital

Last Saturday, Ann Ferris performed in her end-of-the-year piano recital for The Academy of the Arts. Not only was her piece beautiful, but also she was presented with a very special award, "Musical Achievement." Her instructor said, "This award is given to the student that has through love of instrument and dedication over time, in some cases many years, consistently applied himself/herself to the study of the piano, and have achieved a wonderful expertise in the playing and performing of this instrument. They love what they do, their love and passion is obvious, and comes through loud and clear in their playing." Below are some pictures of the event.

Playing Hero's Dance on a VERY NICE grand.

With her award

With instructor, Mark Salcedo

A Day in Dahlonega... Again

I spent most of today studying in the smallish mountain college town of Dahlonega, GA. We've posted several times of our visits to this charming place filled with students, artists, retirees, physicians, professors, business owners, appalachian locals (they hold authentic "mountian music jams" each Saturday afternoon in front of the historic courthouse on the square), etc. Since it remains on our "A List" of potential planting sites, I wanted to go back and feel the vibe of the town one more time.

Preaching at Perimeter

This morning I was scheduled to be the worship pastor in Perimeter's "Gym Worship Service," which has a live worship band (a bit edgier than the main auditorium) and weekly communion. However, rather than a "live" preacher, the gym service uses the video from the 9:00am main service (the gym meets at 10:45). Five minutes before the service began I was informed that the audio had gone out on the video and that I was going to have to preach. Thankfully, I had a Mother's Day sermon (on Rom. 3:19-26) in my Bible that I had preached elsewhere. I did a few last minute tweaks to it, and by God's grace, everything seemed to go really well. I have to admit, I was a bit glad that the audio busted on the video, since I had hoped to have the opportunity to preach at Perimeter in some context. So now I guess I can say, "Oh yeah, I've preached at Perimeter." The gym service, that is. :0)

Horton and the Varsity

Ann Ferris was invited today to attend the afternoon showing of Horton Hears a Who at the historic Fox Theater (built in the pre-crash opulence of the 1920s) in Downtown Atlanta with friend, Lizzy Johnson (actually, the Johnsons are friends from our Tupelo days who also live near us in north Atlanta). After the movie, they went to the (also historic, est. in 1928) Varsity drive-in (the largest drive-in the US) and got official Varsity caps to wear and bring home. Fun stuff.

Scorpion

Believe it or not, Schaeffer uncovered a live scorpion under a rock in our backyard. Thankfully, he is only a tiny fella- about 1 1/2 inches long (see the blurry picture below). But I wonder how big his daddy is?

Ours is just A scorpion, not to be confused with THE Scorpions (plural), the band that has sold 75 million albums (Remember "Rock You Like a Hurricane"?) and ranks #46 on VH1's all time rock band list.

Sixteen Years

Today is our sixteenth wedding anniversary! That girl on the left is not only the most beautiful, intelligent, kind and gifted person I have ever known, but also is one of the most patient and forgiving (I know this from much personal experience!). "Thank you, Jesus, for such a gift."

Van Repaired, Piano and Braces

We got our van back today from the body shop. Looks like new. Also, today Ann Ferris had her last piano lesson before Saturday's recital, and then we went to the orthodontist. She is getting braces in July.

The Dress Maker

Now that she is an official seamstress, Ann Ferris has begun to make dresses that fit American Girl dolls. As you will see, they are quite professional, and are practically exact replicas of the real thing. How are you going to fund your retirement? :0)

Front view

Rear view

Validating the comfort of Ann Ferris' new quilt.

The quilt now has a matching pillow case.

Day Trips, Board Games and Movie Night

Yesterday we took a day trip to LaGrange and Pine Mountain, GA (home of Callaway Gardens). Visited the shops in d'town LaGrange, drove around and ate at the Callaway Country Store (on the overlook of Pine Mountain). Today, Kristy and I wandered over to the Braselton, GA, area, and then joined the kids for some afternoon board games (including one of our favorites, Taboo, which actually is not a board game). Tonight I'm meeting some of "the guys" for a movie at the new theater...