The Outer Banks Revisited

Each year we like to return to The Outer Banks (OBX) for a few days, and each year Kristy likes to come to spend a week of her summer vacation with us. We appreciate it that Brian lets her come and this year she wanted to come for the July 4th week. We had already made reservations for the 4th weekend at our favorite OBX campground -- The Refuge -- and so we said, "Sure, come that week, but you'll have to go camping with us." Of course our camping is in style!

So, off we went and she just fit right into our activities. We rented a bike for her and set off on our favorite 10.8 mile Kitty Hawk Loop bike ride. We park at the Kill Devil Hills city municipal building and start our ride going around the south and west ends of the Wright Brothers monument.
About half way through the ride we stopped to take a picture of the monument shown below. While we were taking our photos the owner of the house approached and asked, "Would you like a history lesson?" He then explained to us that this was the first place where the Wright Brothers set up camp on their initial visit to the Outer Banks in 1900. For the first time things made sense to me.

As a kid I was always enthralled with name Kitty Hawk and it's link to the history of flight. But after living in North Carolina for 15 years I had come to realize that the Wright Brothers made their first successful flight at Kill Devil Hills, not Kitty Hawk. Mr. Brown straightened out my understanding by clarifying that the Wilbur and Orville first experimented with their gliders at Kitty Hawk for several years before they moved about 4 miles south to actually accomplish their historic flight near the huge sand dunes called Kill Devil Hills. This monument acknowledges the approximate spot where the Wright Brothers first pitched their tent in 1900 -- four years before they accomplished their first flight.
On our second day we took another 10 mile ride, but this time it started at Manteo and included the north end of Roanoke Island. Here is a beautiful shot of Kristy on the bridge to Festival Island, looking out at the Manteo harbor.On that ride we were able to inspect the Waterside Theater where the famous outdoor drama The Lost Colony is conducted each summer. We have attended this play several times, and have taken Kristy to see it. But on this day we were able to roam the grounds and actually go on stage, and to the backstage area. Kristy was in her glory taking lots of pictures to share with her drama students back in Chattanooga.
Later on Saturday we headed for the beach and enjoyed the beautiful new Jennette's Pier on the south end of Nags Head. The water temperature was relatively warm and the day was beautiful. Connie had me to rent some beach umbrellas -- which was a very good idea. :)
On the final day we grilled "Wisconsin" brats at our campsite near the water's edge at The Refuge. We love this campground that is nestled in the marsh land south of Manteo and just north of the quaint fishing village of Wanchese.

We were able to send this video to Chad and Jen who were camping at a State Park in Wisconsin at the same time.

We've enjoyed the beautiful sunsets before and this night was a great one.

As an added bonus we were able to squeeze in an enjoyable lunch with Gail and Paul Fosmark -- plus Sara and the kids -- on our way to take Kristy to the airport. That was a special treat.

In Memory of Jim Gunzel

On April 28th our cousin, Pastor Jim Gunzel, of Victoria, British Columbia, slipped into the Savior's presence after just a few short weeks of struggling with pancreatic cancer. We were not able to attend the memorial service held in his honor, but we have been warmed by the reports of the service and his final days of ministry to his wife, family and church family.

In February of 2007 Connie and I had the privilege of spending a weekend with Jim and Marion in beautiful Victoria. After showing us some of the sights during the day on Saturday, they took us to a wonderful restaurant overlooking the waterfront and looking out at the historic buildings decorated in hundreds of lights. It was a magical evening that we will never forget and here we are at the table with Jim and Marion.

On Sunday we had the privilege of attending their church, Westshore Alliance, which meets in this interesting building that is part of a recreational park. The church has a wonderful piece of property for future building plans, but currently meets in this comfortable building that allows a spacious and friendly meeting place for the congregation.

Here is a view inside the assembly area where people are enjoying fellowship during an organized time on Sunday morning.

We especially enjoyed seeing Jim move among the church members as he interacted with them. It was obvious to us that he loved being pastor to his people.

We enjoyed his preaching ministry and I caught Jim in his study surrounded by the tools of sermon preparation that he used to feed his flock.

Jim and Marion

We also had a wonderful time in their home

Our final moments were spent on Monday morning at the dining room table for a wonderful breakfast. Precious memories.

Trip to the Mountains

On Easter weekend we had the joy to travel to the western Carolina mountains to meet Kristy and Brian for two delightful days. We arrived in cold and rainy weather on Good Friday night, but it turned beautiful the next morning. We headed for our favorite Mast General Store.
This quaint mountain spot has become a favorite of Kristy and Brian too -- and so they suggested that we meet them for the weekend. It is just about the same distance for both of us and we love the area.
After sitting on the back porch of the country store for a short while, we learned that the local mountain pickers and singers would be performing directly -- so we grabbed the best seats on the swing and rockers.On Sunday, after enjoying a wonderful church service, we ate our farewell lunch at Panera's. It was here that we got the idea to Skype with Kirk on his birthday. So, we entertained the crowd eating on Panera's patio and watched Kirk open his birthday presents on our laptop.
Here is our view of Kirk on the computer screen holding up a birthday package. What wonderful technology we have at our disposal.
After we returned home we received an unexpected treat. Judy and Wes Brask called and said they would like to drop in for a quick visit and dinner on Tuesday night. What a great blessing! They had earlier spent several weeks in Florida and then traveled to Virginia to see their kids and grandkids. We had a wonderful short visit.

Visit to Duluth

On April 13th we flew to Minneapolis and rented a van to drive to Duluth, Minnesota for a homeschool convention. We were able to stay at the Comfort Suites in Canal Park right on the Lake Superior waterfront. On the day we arrived the wind was blowing and sending large breakers crashing against the sea wall. We didn't know what was waiting us...

Saturday morning we awoke to this sight. Snow! The wind had increased on Friday and blew in a spring snowstorm with 4-6 inces blanketing the ground.
Here is the Duluth skyline from our hotel window at about 6:30 A.M. It was beautiful with the twinkling lights and the blanket of snow.

During the two day convention we talked to over 200 homeschool families and had a wonderful reception to our curriculum. Here is Connie talking to some prospective customers at our booth.

A real treat was to have my sister Cheryl and her husband Dwight drop in for a visit. They came to support a young lady from their church who played a piano solo. We were able to spend a nice dinner with them at restaurant on Friday night.

While we were away Kristy received the coveted Carlson Crowd plaque for winning this year's March Madness NCAA Basketball Tournament contest within the family. This was the 5th year in our family contest, and we have had a different winner each year. The only two to not win the contest have been Chad and Brian -- and they are probably the best informed college basketball fans in the family. Go figure?

Connie's Knee Surgery

Since last summer we have known that Connie had to undergo a knee replacement. The surgery was put off until after the Christmas season and finally the day came on Jan. 11th. Wouldn't you know that another winter storm was bedeviling the South. Global warming just isn't given much credence down here in North Carolina. Anyway, here is the "real deal" type of bionic knee that now resides in Connie's left leg. Now comes the fun.

Here's the girl on the afternoon of the surgery -- with Greg & Becky's flowers giving her comfort. She was alert after coming out of recovery, but snoozed off after getting into her room.

The next morning they got her up early and ready for action. Here she is with her dandy brace and "On Q" pain pump. Pretty high tech stuff for Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

Later in the morning roses arrived from Kristy & Brian. All the nurses comment on how great the room smells.

Then at lunch time we joined the other knee replacement patients for a group lunch. They roll the recliners from the rooms right into the eating area. Connie is having fun with her new friends.
Each patient has a coach (spouse, family member or friend) who is invited to the lunch times.

After lunch the patients are returned to their rooms so that the lunch room can be converted to a Gym.

Then it is therapy time with the "Joint Replacement" staff leading the athletes (patients) in strenuous exercise. Connie won the prize for the day by bending her knee by 114 degrees. Tomorrow will be a more difficult day because the heavier doses of pain medication will be eliminated. But she is doing great!

Funnin' with Fosmark & Mincy Fams

On Thursday, Jan. 6th, we had the privilege of a fun night to meet Gail & Paul Fosmark, plus a stealth visitor -- Andy Fosmark -- and Sara & Dave Mincy and family. Gail and Paul escaped eastern Canada to brave the East Coast post-Christmas blizzard to visit the Mincy's in the Raleigh area. Unbeknown to them there was a plan to bring Andy to North Carolina for a surprise visit. We were able to meet the gang at "Sweet Tomatoes" in North Raleigh.

It was a short visit, but we enjoyed it immensely!

Gail and Paul looked great, although Paul has had some health challenges lately. Pray for him as he deals with a skin cancer issue.

It was also wonderful to see Andy for the first time in almost ten years. The last time we saw Andy was in Hollywood, CA., in April of 2001. Andy looked great!

Even though we are live close to the Mincy family, we don't get to see them much. Here is Sara, Dave, Wes, Will, and Skye. They are a fun bunch.

The Mincy kids had their own booth -- right next to the oldsters.

Wouldn't you know -- before we left "somebody" hoisted Skye up in the sky -- er, tree.

Guess who? (Hint: he traveled the farthest...)

Happy New Year

The Carlson family gathered for our bi-annual Christmas get together in Rocky Mount. This year the travel to North Carolina was a breeze. The Walkers' had clear and clean roads and the Wisconsin crowd actually arrived a half hour early to RDU airport. It was great to have us all together again.

We don't have many opportunities when the boys can see their sister, but they do keep close via cell phones.
Kristy was still finishing up some classroom work. Here she is showing Kirk her new laptop that helps her teach online classes for two different colleges, in addition to her high school teaching duties.
And I seized the privilege to have my temporary "in house" mechanic look at a few problems. Chad put a quick fix on a truck issue and then helped me solve a tarp installation for the trailer. The weather was beautiful on Christmas Eve. But snow was coming...
Of course we had some great eating. Connie did her usual outstanding job of providing handsomely for us all -- and then some!
After eating and gifting, and eating some more, we all journeyed out to the Positive Action building on Christmas afternoon for a viewing of the super-animated DVD Wall-E. Here is the comfortable Media Room at PAFC that is a great place for us to enjoy.
Looking down the main hallway of the PAFC building the camera caught the "4 Boys" in this candid shot. Nice hat, Kirk.
But in the night after Christmas...the snow began to fall. And it continued to fall and fall. By mid day it had piled up to be a foot deep! Very rare for North Carolina.
The problem was that our Wisconsin crowd was scheduled to fly out of RDU at 12:30 PM on the day following Christmas. We got to the airport on time, but knew that the flight was already cancelled. The road to Raleigh was treacherous. The bad news was that Delta couldn't give them a flight until Wednesday. That wouldn't do! So, we drove them to Charlotte (3 hours from RDU) and they flew out on Monday morning. Chad had the foresight to purchase trip interruption insurance and that was a blessing to cover the extra expenses. It was truly an exciting three days.