Sweet words

"Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you. Do not let the thought of me be sad, for I am loving you just as I always have. You were so good to me! I loved you so... 'Twas heaven here with you." -Isla Paschel Richardson

The above was on a card sent to us by our vet regarding Noah's passing. They are such bitter sweet words. We miss him so much.

Canoeing the Dan River

Yesterday SpyC and I, along with some friends, drove to Danbury, NC to canoe the Dan River. We signed up for the ten mile tour which had us navigating through little rapids and gorgeous scenery. The weather just right: mostly overcast all day, however, it kept the hot sun from beating on us and temps remained comfortably in the low 80s. The water was a little cool, but easy to get used to after a few minutes. We found some nice swimming holes along the way and little beaches to stop at and get a bite to eat.

It was a nice adventure where we got to mix exercise with fun and beauty and enjoy it in the company of good friends. We laughed plenty too. It has made us eager to explore more of North Carolina's outdoor adventures. SpyC has found a place on the west side of NC, near Asheville, to do some white water rafting. I've done it before, but she hasn't and is eager to get her feet wet, literally.

Outdoor adventures are one of the things we're really enjoying about NC. Vegas had plenty to offer, but the heat often limited what you could do, or at least limit how much you could enjoy any one activity. While there we enjoyed plenty like Red Rock, the Valley of Fire and Death Valley, but still, the heat was limiting. Since moving here ten months ago, we've enjoyed the beach numerous times, hiked at Hemlock Bluffs a few times, walked the Botanical Gardens of UNC and now canoed the Dan River. We are anxious to explore more and are looking forward to the summer ahead.

Blue Bayou

For most of us who grew up on the west coast fire flies were a figment of Disney's imagination: little dancing lights that flitted around the Blue Bayou while you ate Monte Cristos. Alas, they are real, as many of us would find out through the years. Last night I delighted in watching about a dozen or so dance around my backyard. Magical. I first encountered a real fire fly a few summers ago at SpyC's grandparent's house in Wisconsin. I was standing at the kitchen window and saw what I thought were the eyes of an animal starring in at me. Low and behold they were the magnificent little creatures swirling through the air. I laid in bed for over an hour starring out the window watching the lightning bugs. I couldn't resist.

One of the things I love most about where we live now are new experiences like this. The weather and climate are new experiences for both of us, and we absolutely love it. We could never garden in Las Vegas because of the dirt and the heat, and being able to do that here has become a passion for SpyC, and it's beginning to be a labor of love for me too. Today we're setting out on a ten mile canoe trip down the Dan River... stay tuned.