Returning to Pocahontas later this year than we normally return, we had to move quickly to finish preparations for Cabin Work Week. But we took time to see Bonnie’s family and take the ebikes out for a few rides.
Troy running in cross-country meet Running and Jumping
As Troy and Taylor’s athletic seasons were coming to a close, we made it to their last events of the season. Troy runs cross-country, and we met up with him and his team at a meet in Franklin, Virginia on a blustery afternoon. It was fun to see him compete along with his teammates. He bested his own time, and another teammate won the race.
As Troy and Taylor’s athletic seasons were coming to a close, we made it to their last events of the season. Troy runs cross-country, and we met up with him and his team at a meet in Franklin, Virginia on a blustery afternoon. It was fun to see him compete along with his teammates. He bested his own time, and another teammate won the race.
Taylor's team wears pink for their final game. The next week, we headed to Emporia to see Taylor’s Junior Varsity Volleyball team play Franklin at home. Her team won, and they followed up their games with a celebration of the retiring seniors on the Varsity team. It was also “wear pink” night in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, where survivors and those still in the fight were recognized. We had another good time together with Mom and Dad, enjoying watching Taylor play and the celebrations that followed.
Cathy stands at the western end of the Virginia Capital Trail in downtown Richmond. Virginia Capital Trail
We chose to explore the western end of a long bike trail that runs from Richmond to Jamestown, called the Virginia Capital Trail. Joining the trail at 4-Mile Creek Park, we made our first run westward 12 miles to downtown Richmond. This ride started in rural countryside, but quickly became more residential as we followed route 5 into Richmond.
We chose to explore the western end of a long bike trail that runs from Richmond to Jamestown, called the Virginia Capital Trail. Joining the trail at 4-Mile Creek Park, we made our first run westward 12 miles to downtown Richmond. This ride started in rural countryside, but quickly became more residential as we followed route 5 into Richmond.
The trail going east is more rural. On our next ride, we were joined by Joe and decided to ride east from the park about 12 miles. This was largely rural, with scattered historic markers along the way. It was another great ride until the very end. Cathy made a mistake with her ebike throttle and was thrown off the back of her bike. Let’s just say that’s a mistake she won’t make again.
Cathy Dave and Steve inspect our wood supplies. Cabin Work
Arriving later this year than in the past, we made quick work of assessing the work to be done on the cabins. This would be our first time revisiting all of the cabin sites, checking for damage and work left undone in our first project’s visit to the sites. We made an inventory of the work to be done, and placed orders for supplies the teams would need.
Arriving later this year than in the past, we made quick work of assessing the work to be done on the cabins. This would be our first time revisiting all of the cabin sites, checking for damage and work left undone in our first project’s visit to the sites. We made an inventory of the work to be done, and placed orders for supplies the teams would need.
Michelle and Vicky help us by painting boards for the carpenters to use. We also needed to scramble to get wood painted for the carpenters to use. We scheduled some painting work days and were graced with some dedicated volunteers who allowed us to prime and paint enough boards that we should easily have enough for the project. Joe and Fred spent time repairing some rotting siding behind the Well House where our supplies are stored. Work on this building has been slowly continuing for several years and was finally able to be completed.
One of our first-time volunteers pressure-washed our 2nd site, Chickahominy. By the time of our preparation week just before the project, we had a plan, supplies were being delivered, and we had a team to move them to the sites to stage for the workers arriving the next week. In addition, we had pressure-washed the decks on 2 of our sites to enable them to be stained if time-permitted. Luckily, the weather cooperated and we had willing volunteers who were able to finish staining the decks at our first site before the week was out.
Tom primes screen trim. The screening team leader made more screen trim and ensured all was primed and painted so we would have enough ready to begin re-screening Monday morning.
So, by the end of the pre-week, we felt good about being ready for this year’s project, but wondered how the logistics would play out with teams working in so many different sites.
So, by the end of the pre-week, we felt good about being ready for this year’s project, but wondered how the logistics would play out with teams working in so many different sites.
Parting Shot
We met up with Barry for dinner one day while he was touring the area, and had a good visit.
We met up with Barry for dinner one day while he was touring the area, and had a good visit.
