Sunrise over Beaver Lake Trail Leaving Hilton Head, we drove north to Virginia and spent 10 days celebrating the holidays with friends and family and enjoying the beauty of Pocahontas in December. We were back in Jacksonville by the 28th to greet some travelers who were heading south, and planned to take a rest at Faith for the night. When the New Year’s fireworks were going up, we were making ready for work to begin in earnest around Faith a couple of days later.
Some ornaments Cathy made for the grandkids North to Virginia
Since our reservation at the Pocahontas cabin didn’t start until Tuesday, we had the weekend to travel north. We had already made plans to stop by Steve and Linda’s in Poquoson. We had begun clearing their attic of our boating supplies earlier in the fall, and we planned to pick up some larger items on this trip to take them back to Orion Jr at Faith. We had a good visit with them as well and managed to find a place in the truck for the supplies that made sense to take with us – everything from a door from Orion Jr to a 9.8hp outboard.
Since our reservation at the Pocahontas cabin didn’t start until Tuesday, we had the weekend to travel north. We had already made plans to stop by Steve and Linda’s in Poquoson. We had begun clearing their attic of our boating supplies earlier in the fall, and we planned to pick up some larger items on this trip to take them back to Orion Jr at Faith. We had a good visit with them as well and managed to find a place in the truck for the supplies that made sense to take with us – everything from a door from Orion Jr to a 9.8hp outboard.
Cathy and Twila's catalog Christmas tree Our next stop was Pocahontas, and, arriving on the Tuesday before Christmas, we had arrived enough in advance of Christmas that we had time to decorate the cabin inside and out for the holidays. Part of those decorations included a “catalog” Christmas tree that was started by Twila from the park office staff back in the fall. After joking with Cathy about a Uline “Christmas” catalog, she patiently folded an 800 page catalog to make the tree, giving it to us as we left in November. However, Cathy realized that she actually needed a 2nd catalog to make the tree work. So, she found one and did the folding of that one herself. A can of green Rustoleum later and we had a Christmas tree. Having not make one in over 50 years, there was a lot she would do differently next time.
Winter Solstice Hike Our first full day at the park turned out to be surprisingly busy. We started the day before sun-up. After scraping the frost off the windshield (where is that ice scraper), we joined one of the park’s Winter Solstice hikes around Beaver Lake and watched the sun rise over the lake as we made our way around.
Grandpa and Taylor opening gifts Shortly after returning to the cabin, we learned we would have company from Bonnie and the kids. With a major storm coming through the next day, we scrambled to get all of our grocery shopping done in time to get back to meet them. It was the first of several visitors we would host over the next few days. Driving through the campground, we discovered Micah and Jessica from Cabin Work Week were park hosts for the month, and we invited them over for dinner the following evening. The next day, despite the plummeting temperatures and near gale-force winds, Droz joined us for a Christmas get-together.
Grandpa and Droz On Christmas Eve, we hosted Bonnie’s family, cooking our 2nd prime rib dinner in as many years. The favor was returned the next day as we traveled to Jarratt to spend Christmas day with them. Our family time wasn’t over yet however. Chris and Carolyn arrived mid-day on Monday and Droz joined us for one more family reunion. They don’t get old.
The next morning, we served up all of the leftovers we could (having sent a healthy amount home with Droz on Monday), and then we said goodbye to Chris and Carolyn, heading south for Jacksonville as they returned to NC.
The next morning, we served up all of the leftovers we could (having sent a healthy amount home with Droz on Monday), and then we said goodbye to Chris and Carolyn, heading south for Jacksonville as they returned to NC.
Cabin Work – sort of
We had one Group Cabin project task to do while back at the park. A table saw had broken during the 2nd week of the project, and the saw was still under warranty. We had tried to get it repaired before leaving in November, but the receipt was hard to locate. By the time we had returned, the receipt had been located and the return approved. The return this time went smoothly and the warranty was honored.
We had one Group Cabin project task to do while back at the park. A table saw had broken during the 2nd week of the project, and the saw was still under warranty. We had tried to get it repaired before leaving in November, but the receipt was hard to locate. By the time we had returned, the receipt had been located and the return approved. The return this time went smoothly and the warranty was honored.
Back to Jacksonville
We were making our way to Jacksonville on a schedule. We had 2 couples planning to stop over at Faith on the 28th as they made their way further south into the Florida Keys. So, we made the trip with just one overnight, arriving a few hours before they both arrived. Dan and Karen were camp hosts during our stay at the park. Tom and Debbie had been Cabin Week volunteers for several years. We had a brief time to welcome them. After they enjoyed the hospitality of the church for a night, they were on their way south again the next am.
We were making our way to Jacksonville on a schedule. We had 2 couples planning to stop over at Faith on the 28th as they made their way further south into the Florida Keys. So, we made the trip with just one overnight, arriving a few hours before they both arrived. Dan and Karen were camp hosts during our stay at the park. Tom and Debbie had been Cabin Week volunteers for several years. We had a brief time to welcome them. After they enjoyed the hospitality of the church for a night, they were on their way south again the next am.
Another Year’s End
We were able to raise a glass to toast the end of 2022 and the start of 2023. We enjoyed putting together this video taking a look back at the year just ended. Hope you enjoy it too.
We were able to raise a glass to toast the end of 2022 and the start of 2023. We enjoyed putting together this video taking a look back at the year just ended. Hope you enjoy it too.
