_________________________________________________
We are going to Myrtle Beach again, with my family, the ones that have taken me on vacation every year with them (and amazingly want me to go still, as an adult). Even though we never had lots of money, we barely had a decent vehicle to travel in, and it took an act of Congress for my Daddy to be able to take a week off from milking and farming, we went to the beach.
We never had any interest in staying in a hotel, besides we couldn’t afford it. So every summer since I could breathe, we have vacationed, along with my Uncle Mikey, Aunt Donna and their kids, in a campground in Myrtle Beach, give or take a few where we went to Florida or tried the hotel method. We didn’t like it much though because it’s hard to ride a bicycle up and down the hallways of a hotel.
To this day, those childhood vacations are my greatest memories yet.
_______________________________________________
Moma and Daddy raised tobacco or backer as we call it, all through my childhood so that we could go on a modest vacation every year. When I was a kid we stayed at Lake Arrowhead, which was in North Myrtle Beach. For months we would anticipate the trip, we would make beach lists, wash coolers, me and Wes would buy a new tape and get fresh batteries for our tape player, we would stock up on drinks and candy bars, scrub the rust off our bikes with a brillo pad, and make plans for everything we were gonna do while we were there.
A day or two before we left, we’d excitedly wash and wax the truck, clean the windows inside and out and shine up the tires. Daddy would rig up some boards and plywood in the camper on the back and slide a mattress in. Moma would throw on fresh sheets and blankets, and then me, Wes and Trace would fight over who go to lay in front of the sliding glass window that let the cool fresh air into the camper. The day before we were supposed to leave, Daddy and Moma would pack that truck full of dopes, then we'd pack up our tent, tarps, chairs, veggies from the garden, coolers full of snacks and candy bars, blankets, beach towels and clothes. We would plan our outfit to wear for the ride down, and finally, Daddy would tie our bicycles to the top of the camper. When that happened we knew it was almost time to go!
It was useless trying to sleep the night before. All we could think about was the adventure of the ride down, all the fun we’d have while there and all the candy bars we were going to eat! So finally, one night, one of the grown ups had a great idea, TO LEAVE THE NIGHT BEFORE and just mosey on down the road. THE greatest idea since freezer jam, and a tradition we still keep today.
So Moma, Daddy, Mikey and Donna would load up all the kids, double and triple check to make sure everything was off and unplugged and locked, then we’d hit the road. East bound and down, loaded up and truckin! The kids rode in the camper, lying on the mattress propped up on our elbows for the best view ever. We were fully stocked with pillows, blankets, paper and pencils, toys, our blank tapes, and most importantly, our radio! We would scroll from station to station searching for our favorite songs, when we would find one we’d record it. That tape was treated like royalty and for the next whole year, simply referred to as “The Beach Tape”. The adults rode in the front with soft beach towels draping the upholstery, a water jug chock full of ice and good ol’ well water, their own little cooler full of Pepsi’s and Mountain Dews and candy bars, and plenty of peanut butter crackers and Doritos stashed behind the seat. They’d converse over the CB radio, dangle their arms out the windows and enjoy the sweet serenity of the kids in the camper, without a sliding window to the truck. Another great idea by the way. Our only source of communication was to tap on the window and holler what we needed, which obviously they could not hear when we were going sixty mph down the interstate, so finally we got smart and started writing it down on paper. I HAVE 2 PEE! When we’d finally stop at a rest area, we always ran in as fast as we could to pee, so that we’d have plenty of time to play before we got back in the truck. We would hog all the pay phones, pushing buttons and hanging up on the operator when she came on, we were intrigued by that machine that spits the cup out and fills it up with either hot chocolate or steaming coffee and we loved to chase each other around all those fancy flowers and paved sidewalks. Uncle Mikey always missed the exit in Asheville, without fail, and he always got us lost around Florence SC. And even though Daddy knew he would, he would let Uncle Mikey lead the way anyway because he knew that Uncle Mikey really enjoyed being in the front.
When the men got too tired to drive we would find a rest area to stop at overnight, and while the adults slept, we would run and play and laugh our guts out. Looking back, you could do that in those days, but not anymore. Early the next morning we headed out and kept our eyes peeled for Hardees or a McDonalds because we were always so hungry from traveling.
I can still remember the warmth and humidity of the summer air, the way the camper was shaped, where each rivet was and how it felt on my bare feet. I will never forget the comfort and softness of that mattress, when exhausted from singing and laughing we would collapse into sleep, and when we woke up we would be that much closer to the beach! I always knew when we’d reached Columbia South Carolina, from the long slender pines that reached toward the sky, and I knew that it wouldn’t be long now.
Our week consisted of lazy days on the beach, playing in the sand, building moats around our parents' spread of floats, sheets, chairs and coolers. When the high tide came in we would dig deep, and do everything in our power to keep the water away as long as possible, it was a challenge to us and we enjoyed it. When it got too hot we would all go out into the ocean and share floats, rising and falling over the waves. We'd try to float on our backs, tread water with our hands while sticking our feet above the water, dive under and feel around for shells and treasure and occasionally get stung by a jellyfish. At the end of the day we would be absolutely exhausted and slowly lug our coolers, chairs and floats back to camp. Make our way to the bathhouse and wash away the sand, salt and sweat of the day. Many nights were spent with the women cooking over Coleman camp stoves while the kids ran around playing. Sometimes we'd go out to eat, go to the strip to "cruise", while the kids sat in the back of the truck on folding chairs making fun of all the teenagers trying to look cool. We'd go play putt putt and run all over the course, climbing on stuff and acting like we'd never been to a putt putt course before. The more elaborate the better! Our putting clubs became fishing poles and tennis rackets and hockey sticks on those expeditions. At the end of the course we would always be heartbroken to lose our ball in that stupid hole. Finally one of my cousins figured out to put it in your pocket and just pretend that you hit the ball in. Thus our massive collection of golf balls we had around the house. Yeah, it was stealing but we were just kids from Bowmantown, we didn’t mean any harm. When not doing all those things, we kids would ride our bikes EVERYWHERE. We would play follow the leader, ride through peoples campsites, jump stuff and go to the Trading Post every chance we got. When it got too dark to ride, we would tape a flashlight to the handlebars and keep on truckin. Many nights were spent walking on the beach with a flashlight, looking for creatures and crabs. I can remember sneaking into the pool once after dark too, the only ones skinny enough to fit through the fence being me and my cousin Mick. We didn't go swimming or anything, we just wanted to prove that we could do it!
To this very day, the smell of original insect repellent reminds me of those trips, because in those days a big truck with sprayers jutting out from the sides, would ride up and down each road in the campground spraying for mosquitoes. Gosh, you couldn’t help but breathe the stuff for the rest of the day. Whether or not it actually controlled the skeeter’s nobody knows, but I am sure it wasn’t good for our lungs.
After a week of more fun than we could possibly handle we’d load it all back up and head for Tennessee, ready to show off our golden tans and anxious to waller our dogs and cats. And I never remember crying or getting upset over going home, because I knew we’d get to do it all again. Next year! And until then we had our Beach Tape to bring all those memories back.
Thank God for family and thank God for family vacations!
6.14.2008
5.22.2008
Royal Blue for Memorial Day weekend
Woot! Here we come!!
The weather looks absolutely fabulous so far. Which will be a welcome change from the freak storms that rolled through on Mother's Day. I swear I thought a tree would fall on us at any moment!!
So we will be there, come on up!
The weather looks absolutely fabulous so far. Which will be a welcome change from the freak storms that rolled through on Mother's Day. I swear I thought a tree would fall on us at any moment!!
So we will be there, come on up!
4.10.2007
Royal Blue here we come
Weather forecast for Pioneer TN as of right now.
Apr 13 Friday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 50s.
Apr 14 Saturday
Thunderstorms. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 40s.
Apr 15 Sunday
Windy with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.
Now a little photo to get you in the mood for camping.
Apr 13 Friday
Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 50s.
Apr 14 Saturday
Thunderstorms. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the low 40s.
Apr 15 Sunday
Windy with a mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the mid 30s.
Now a little photo to get you in the mood for camping.
3.23.2007
12.27.2006
10.17.2006
Had a great time in Royal Blue this past weekend. It was strictly family this time and that made it even more special. Those joining us were: Moma, Daddy, Mike, Donna, Levi, Matthew, myself and Bill.
Bill cut down the dead pinetree and cut up plenty of firewood for us. He also discovered the big nest that those huge hornets were living in. It was in the top of the dead pine tree that daddy and Bill thought about cutting down last time. SO glad they didn't! We would have gotten stung for sure.
Daddy took us down to show us the waterfall he discovered on the last trip. It is really neat. Lots of steps leading down to it and without those it would have been tough to make it back up the hill. I also carved mine and Bill and daddy and moma's names into some trees at our campsite. I am hoping they will be there for years to come.
It got pretty cold there at night, I would say in the thirties. We were thankful for a huge roaring fire. We all sat around staying warm while Bill and Levi played guitar for us. We love that!!
We all slept outside under the big gray tarp in front of the roaring fire. We had some warm bricks from the fire wrapped in newspaper to put in our beds to help keep us warm. Those old timers sure knew what they were doing!!
The next morning we had sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy cooked over the fire. Oh gosh it was so good! They all went riding and Bill and Levi napped.
On the way home we saw dead deer on the interstate. In the back of trucks etc. That was interesting because I have never seen that before.
This was probably the last camping trip of the year. We will start again next spring and hopefully I can ride again. Need to get that strut fixed :)
Here are some pics.
Bill cut down the dead pinetree and cut up plenty of firewood for us. He also discovered the big nest that those huge hornets were living in. It was in the top of the dead pine tree that daddy and Bill thought about cutting down last time. SO glad they didn't! We would have gotten stung for sure.
Daddy took us down to show us the waterfall he discovered on the last trip. It is really neat. Lots of steps leading down to it and without those it would have been tough to make it back up the hill. I also carved mine and Bill and daddy and moma's names into some trees at our campsite. I am hoping they will be there for years to come.
It got pretty cold there at night, I would say in the thirties. We were thankful for a huge roaring fire. We all sat around staying warm while Bill and Levi played guitar for us. We love that!!
We all slept outside under the big gray tarp in front of the roaring fire. We had some warm bricks from the fire wrapped in newspaper to put in our beds to help keep us warm. Those old timers sure knew what they were doing!!
The next morning we had sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy cooked over the fire. Oh gosh it was so good! They all went riding and Bill and Levi napped.
On the way home we saw dead deer on the interstate. In the back of trucks etc. That was interesting because I have never seen that before.
This was probably the last camping trip of the year. We will start again next spring and hopefully I can ride again. Need to get that strut fixed :)
Here are some pics.
10.12.2006
Oh no, I cannot believe that post I put here on 10/5. Whoa that was not meant for this site and boy am I embarrassed! I deleted it so if you happened to read it I am sorry, and if you didn't thank goodness!
Royal Blue here we come! This will probably be our last camping trip of the year and I would not miss it even with 30 degree temperatures at night. Royal Blue is an awesome camping place for me and holds many many good memories of riding and camping trips of the past. Hopefully next year I will be riding again. Gotta get that broken strut fixed one of these days.
Found a website with riding video's on it. It is ATVADDICTS.NET. Some of them are quite good but others just make you wonder what they are thinking. The guys on the sport quads will ride up to a mudhole that others just got stuck in....then roll into it. And of course they get stuck. In my experience it is good to get your speed up before climbing into those mudholes so you won't get stuck in the middle. No wonder these poor guys get stuck all the time. Check out the Royal Blue video and you will recognize the big split rock that we climb over on our way to the mud puddle trail. This is the rock that Kristy was going over when I snapped her picture and later saw it printed in Dirt Wheels Magazine.
See y'all in Royal Blue. We will have chainsaws but be ready to help us carry the wood to keep you warm!
Royal Blue here we come! This will probably be our last camping trip of the year and I would not miss it even with 30 degree temperatures at night. Royal Blue is an awesome camping place for me and holds many many good memories of riding and camping trips of the past. Hopefully next year I will be riding again. Gotta get that broken strut fixed one of these days.
Found a website with riding video's on it. It is ATVADDICTS.NET. Some of them are quite good but others just make you wonder what they are thinking. The guys on the sport quads will ride up to a mudhole that others just got stuck in....then roll into it. And of course they get stuck. In my experience it is good to get your speed up before climbing into those mudholes so you won't get stuck in the middle. No wonder these poor guys get stuck all the time. Check out the Royal Blue video and you will recognize the big split rock that we climb over on our way to the mud puddle trail. This is the rock that Kristy was going over when I snapped her picture and later saw it printed in Dirt Wheels Magazine.
See y'all in Royal Blue. We will have chainsaws but be ready to help us carry the wood to keep you warm!
9.18.2006
Congratulations Eric and Kristie!
Their first baby was born today at 24 minutes after midnight. She weighed 7lbs 2 oz and is 20 in. Mother, baby and Eric are doing wonderful! They named her Presley Alise. Presley after Elvis Presley of course...Kristie is a huge Elvis fan and Alise is the middle name that Eric liked. She is such a beautiful baby.
Their first baby was born today at 24 minutes after midnight. She weighed 7lbs 2 oz and is 20 in. Mother, baby and Eric are doing wonderful! They named her Presley Alise. Presley after Elvis Presley of course...Kristie is a huge Elvis fan and Alise is the middle name that Eric liked. She is such a beautiful baby.
8.22.2006
Back from a long wonderful weekend at Royal Blue!
We all gathered in Royal Blue again this weekend for more camping, riding and sitting around the campfire. There were twenty-some people there and we had plenty of stories and jokes to tell around the campfire.
Bill and I got there on Friday night around 8:45pm. I was hoping the whole way from the interstate that our favorite camping hole would be empty. To my surprise it was!! When we pull up we were planning on firing up the chainsaw to cut our wood...in the dark. We were pleasantly amazed that someone had left behind a big pile of wood for us. How nice!
So as I begin to unload the truck Bill sets in on the task of getting our fire started. What we think is a bumblebee is swarming around him every once in a while. We finally get the fire roaring as moma and daddy pull in.
After we get everything set up and are able to sit down here comes the "bumblebee" again. It is a huge HORNET! Good lord I never seen a hornet that big in my whole life! Daddy kills three or four of them that night and Bill kills a couple too. I guess the folks who cut that wood took off when they saw the size of those hornets.
Moma and I smoked while the men set up the tarp. Then we drug out the homemade salsa and went to town. We finally got tired so we built the fire really big to keep the animals away and climbed in our beds that we set up under the tarp. It was WONDERFUL!
Next morning we made sausage and gravy over the fire with some biscuits and fresh sliced garden maters on the side. YUM! The men cut up more firewood and moma and I cleaned up. Then we were able to relax and enjoy the quiet for a while.
Around 1 pm or so people started trickling in and setting up tents, chairs, wagon trains and unloading their machines.
It looks as if it will rain at any minute but everyone decides they want to go on a "leisurely ride". So they all pile on their machines and take off. Soon as they do it comes a downpour. Moma and I peel taters and get the skillets out. The rain slacked off to a steady shower so it was time to cook. We cooked our fried taters and onions…and kielbasa, green peppers and onions over the fire. In the rain while holding umbrella’s over the food. That was something I have never done before!
After an hour and a half they all come roaring back to camp...soaking wet and covered up in mud. And man were they hungry!
After supper everyone cleaned up and dried out so we sat around the fire and told jokes, stories and laughed so hard at Uncle Mikey and Wes. Mikey told his famous "leprechaun" joke and Wes told us some wild stories from his trip to New Orleans this past spring. There were plenty of Arnold jokes...."Get down" and "run get to the chopper!" and of course "take my hand if you want to live!". Those guys make us laugh so hard.
The next morning we all rode over to Perkins for breakfast then back to camp so they could prepare for their ride. After they all loaded up and took off Bill and I went exploring. We went up to exit 144 to look for a new campground they just opened up. On our way there we saw a little kitty on the gravel road heading out of Royal Blue. But when we got closer we discovered it was not a kitty...it was a Bobcat kitten! Oh it was cute!
On the way back to the interstate we went over an overpass. I got a flashback. That is the same overpass we crossed when we were lost that day in 2003. And the paved road that the new campground is on is the road we traveled trying to figure out where we were. Man that was a little bit scary that day, for a few hours we had no clue how to get back home.
Daddy found a new waterfall on their ride this time. It was a double waterfall with steps built up to it. I hope someone took a picture...Donna...Pat...Cynthia???
Glad we all got to gather in Royal Blue again. It always makes for great memories!
Here are a few pictures from this trip:
We all gathered in Royal Blue again this weekend for more camping, riding and sitting around the campfire. There were twenty-some people there and we had plenty of stories and jokes to tell around the campfire.
Bill and I got there on Friday night around 8:45pm. I was hoping the whole way from the interstate that our favorite camping hole would be empty. To my surprise it was!! When we pull up we were planning on firing up the chainsaw to cut our wood...in the dark. We were pleasantly amazed that someone had left behind a big pile of wood for us. How nice!
So as I begin to unload the truck Bill sets in on the task of getting our fire started. What we think is a bumblebee is swarming around him every once in a while. We finally get the fire roaring as moma and daddy pull in.
After we get everything set up and are able to sit down here comes the "bumblebee" again. It is a huge HORNET! Good lord I never seen a hornet that big in my whole life! Daddy kills three or four of them that night and Bill kills a couple too. I guess the folks who cut that wood took off when they saw the size of those hornets.
Moma and I smoked while the men set up the tarp. Then we drug out the homemade salsa and went to town. We finally got tired so we built the fire really big to keep the animals away and climbed in our beds that we set up under the tarp. It was WONDERFUL!
Next morning we made sausage and gravy over the fire with some biscuits and fresh sliced garden maters on the side. YUM! The men cut up more firewood and moma and I cleaned up. Then we were able to relax and enjoy the quiet for a while.
Around 1 pm or so people started trickling in and setting up tents, chairs, wagon trains and unloading their machines.
It looks as if it will rain at any minute but everyone decides they want to go on a "leisurely ride". So they all pile on their machines and take off. Soon as they do it comes a downpour. Moma and I peel taters and get the skillets out. The rain slacked off to a steady shower so it was time to cook. We cooked our fried taters and onions…and kielbasa, green peppers and onions over the fire. In the rain while holding umbrella’s over the food. That was something I have never done before!
After an hour and a half they all come roaring back to camp...soaking wet and covered up in mud. And man were they hungry!
After supper everyone cleaned up and dried out so we sat around the fire and told jokes, stories and laughed so hard at Uncle Mikey and Wes. Mikey told his famous "leprechaun" joke and Wes told us some wild stories from his trip to New Orleans this past spring. There were plenty of Arnold jokes...."Get down" and "run get to the chopper!" and of course "take my hand if you want to live!". Those guys make us laugh so hard.
The next morning we all rode over to Perkins for breakfast then back to camp so they could prepare for their ride. After they all loaded up and took off Bill and I went exploring. We went up to exit 144 to look for a new campground they just opened up. On our way there we saw a little kitty on the gravel road heading out of Royal Blue. But when we got closer we discovered it was not a kitty...it was a Bobcat kitten! Oh it was cute!
On the way back to the interstate we went over an overpass. I got a flashback. That is the same overpass we crossed when we were lost that day in 2003. And the paved road that the new campground is on is the road we traveled trying to figure out where we were. Man that was a little bit scary that day, for a few hours we had no clue how to get back home.
Daddy found a new waterfall on their ride this time. It was a double waterfall with steps built up to it. I hope someone took a picture...Donna...Pat...Cynthia???
Glad we all got to gather in Royal Blue again. It always makes for great memories!
Here are a few pictures from this trip:
8.15.2006
New links to our riding pictures!!!
New links to our riding pictures!!!
Click on any of the photo albums to the right. then click on "View as slideshow". Hover at the top of the picture and arrows will appear so you can scroll thru them at your own pace.
Boy do these bring back some good good memories!!!
This took a bit of work and I am still at it.....ENJOY! More to come!
Click on any of the photo albums to the right. then click on "View as slideshow". Hover at the top of the picture and arrows will appear so you can scroll thru them at your own pace.
Boy do these bring back some good good memories!!!
This took a bit of work and I am still at it.....ENJOY! More to come!
8.13.2006
Found an easier ways to link to photo's. It is flickr.com -- a friend of mine told me about it and it is awesome! I do not have many photo's here at my house but as soon as I can make it to Bowmantown I will be able to upload more.
4.14.2006
The New Battle of New Orleans
Have you heard the new "Battle of New Orleans" song? Ray Stevens is right on the money with this one. The song goes to the tune of the original...cept the lyrics have been updated a little to reflect the ridiculous hysteria surrounding that hurricane I am so tired of hearing about.
http://raystevens.com/SongLyrics/NBNewOrleansSongLyrics.html
http://raystevens.com/SongLyrics/NBNewOrleansSongLyrics.html
4.10.2006
Happy Birthday moma! Sorry this post is late...her birthday was Saturday April 8th but we were too busy celebrating!
3.23.2006
Trail riding tips
Follow this link http://www.atving.com/editor/general/trailtip.html for Trail riding tips. I agree with most and disagree with some. Especially the section that says to ride slow through creeks. That is the case unless it is a deep creek that could flood your ATV. The faster your momentum the better chance water does not flood into your exhaust pipe. As always use caution and common sense.
3.21.2006
Bristol Love!
I could not resist. Went back to find my posts about the last two spring race's. Read on! I am pasting them word for word.
3.29.2004
We survived Bristol.
Bristol love in the spring is officially over.
We had the most awesome time...and hated to see it end! It was truly four days of craziness.Owe it all to Kristie and Eric since they started it. Without them we would not be able to go to the races....or have as many laughs all weekend long. Also we appreciate moma and daddy for allowing us to use their awesome camper, make us those fabulous burgers and just generally take care of us. Also much love to Randy and Leann for letting us stay at the infamous Thundervalley Campground for a very very reasonable rate. We camped from Wednesday night all the way until Sunday. Some of us coming in later, some visiting and some staying the entire duration. Those staying with or going to races with us follows: Rachel, Jim, Wes, Amanda, Kristie, Eric, Stacy, Natalie, April, Robbie, Trevor, Daniel, Greg, Chuck, Bart, Travis, Sammy, Dotson, Adam and Josiah. And various visitors the whole time...coming and going. All you had to do to get in the gate was tell them you were with the "Lowe's" bunch and you were free to go. Now some highlights of the adventure and things we will never forget:
-Trevor's RV....Randy referred to it as a "jaloppie" but it was cool as sh*t
-All that BL and ML we put away. My arm is sore from the "turning up the can" motion and Eric's finger got sore from popping the top on em!
-Taking showers in the group bathhouse with minimal privacy....THAT was an adventure in itsself. And good luck finding one with hot water.
-Various folks riding around on my quad getting everyone "wired up" and hollerin
-Qualifying on Friday was lots of fun.
-Bart gave the boys a new saying. Yay-yah. They wore it out.
-Our "can ditch" was cool. Johnny Guitar came up and collected them Saturday night....I bet he made enough to buy a new cast for his arm.
-The Busch race rocked. We had 16 folks with us that day and it was even more fun than Sunday.
-And Kristie and I don't care if you believe us or not about this one...cuz we know it happened and Adam and Josiah can swear to it too.Jimmie Johnson waved at us. Kasey Kahne waved at us. Matt Kenseth waved at us. And we gave Dale Jr the finger cuz we don't like him. That was awesome!
-Saw a couple of mullets this weekend. Eric calls them a "kentucky waterfall"
-Going to Applebees after the Sunday race rocked...we kinda forgot we weren't in Bristol anymore.
-"gettin out of hand" as Eric says
-Kristie and I got so dirty from the debris off the track on Sunday. We were 4 rows up from the bottom and had the best view.Thats all I can come up with right now. Text or email me if you think of something I forgot. Love you guys and thanks for making my weekend so much fun!
4.05.2005
We survived Bristol safe and sound! And I can honestly say it was one of the funnest weekends ever. Eric, Kristie and Wes camped on Wednesday night and moma, daddy, me and Trevor arrived Thursday night. During the course of the weekend we had 18 or so people either camping with us or just up for a visit.Here are some highlights we will not soon forget.....
-Sitting around the campfire Thursday night after feasting on shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and crablegs
-Qualifying on Friday....giving Junior, Stewart and Kurt Busch the finger as they were introduced and made their laps around the track. Not discreetly either...we stood up and made it known how much we don't like them.
-Kristies brother gave us a ride back to the campground after qualifying. Riding in the back of that truck was the best time ever! We had everyone hollering and worked up.
-Cramming a bunch of us together to play Shanghai under Eric's tarp in the rain while listening to Rodney Carrington...that was fun!
-Waking up Saturday to a fast moving creek right beside our camper due to all the rain
-All the mud, rain and brisk wind on Saturday. Thank goodness for Gortex, rain jackets, tarps and campers
-Kristie and I wrote "Jr SUX!" and "Tony's a *AG!" on the port o potty in big bold letters-Drinking "enhanced" Jimmie Juice while freezing on Saturday
-"Pood Rascal!" and "Pood's Boy!"
-The men working on the generator for hours so we could have heat in the camper
-Rebuilding Eric and Kristie's camp everytime it blew down
-The highway worker that daddy almost flattened
-The "black motorcycle jacket" potato chip spitter; that brother made friends with at the race on Sunday
-Kristie burning me on the neck with her cigarette (owch!)
-Sitting at Texas Roadhouse absolutely exhausted on Sunday night after a whole weekend of fabulous fun and gut busting laughter
3.29.2004
We survived Bristol.
Bristol love in the spring is officially over.
We had the most awesome time...and hated to see it end! It was truly four days of craziness.Owe it all to Kristie and Eric since they started it. Without them we would not be able to go to the races....or have as many laughs all weekend long. Also we appreciate moma and daddy for allowing us to use their awesome camper, make us those fabulous burgers and just generally take care of us. Also much love to Randy and Leann for letting us stay at the infamous Thundervalley Campground for a very very reasonable rate. We camped from Wednesday night all the way until Sunday. Some of us coming in later, some visiting and some staying the entire duration. Those staying with or going to races with us follows: Rachel, Jim, Wes, Amanda, Kristie, Eric, Stacy, Natalie, April, Robbie, Trevor, Daniel, Greg, Chuck, Bart, Travis, Sammy, Dotson, Adam and Josiah. And various visitors the whole time...coming and going. All you had to do to get in the gate was tell them you were with the "Lowe's" bunch and you were free to go. Now some highlights of the adventure and things we will never forget:
-Trevor's RV....Randy referred to it as a "jaloppie" but it was cool as sh*t
-All that BL and ML we put away. My arm is sore from the "turning up the can" motion and Eric's finger got sore from popping the top on em!
-Taking showers in the group bathhouse with minimal privacy....THAT was an adventure in itsself. And good luck finding one with hot water.
-Various folks riding around on my quad getting everyone "wired up" and hollerin
-Qualifying on Friday was lots of fun.
-Bart gave the boys a new saying. Yay-yah. They wore it out.
-Our "can ditch" was cool. Johnny Guitar came up and collected them Saturday night....I bet he made enough to buy a new cast for his arm.
-The Busch race rocked. We had 16 folks with us that day and it was even more fun than Sunday.
-And Kristie and I don't care if you believe us or not about this one...cuz we know it happened and Adam and Josiah can swear to it too.Jimmie Johnson waved at us. Kasey Kahne waved at us. Matt Kenseth waved at us. And we gave Dale Jr the finger cuz we don't like him. That was awesome!
-Saw a couple of mullets this weekend. Eric calls them a "kentucky waterfall"
-Going to Applebees after the Sunday race rocked...we kinda forgot we weren't in Bristol anymore.
-"gettin out of hand" as Eric says
-Kristie and I got so dirty from the debris off the track on Sunday. We were 4 rows up from the bottom and had the best view.Thats all I can come up with right now. Text or email me if you think of something I forgot. Love you guys and thanks for making my weekend so much fun!
4.05.2005
We survived Bristol safe and sound! And I can honestly say it was one of the funnest weekends ever. Eric, Kristie and Wes camped on Wednesday night and moma, daddy, me and Trevor arrived Thursday night. During the course of the weekend we had 18 or so people either camping with us or just up for a visit.Here are some highlights we will not soon forget.....
-Sitting around the campfire Thursday night after feasting on shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes and crablegs
-Qualifying on Friday....giving Junior, Stewart and Kurt Busch the finger as they were introduced and made their laps around the track. Not discreetly either...we stood up and made it known how much we don't like them.
-Kristies brother gave us a ride back to the campground after qualifying. Riding in the back of that truck was the best time ever! We had everyone hollering and worked up.
-Cramming a bunch of us together to play Shanghai under Eric's tarp in the rain while listening to Rodney Carrington...that was fun!
-Waking up Saturday to a fast moving creek right beside our camper due to all the rain
-All the mud, rain and brisk wind on Saturday. Thank goodness for Gortex, rain jackets, tarps and campers
-Kristie and I wrote "Jr SUX!" and "Tony's a *AG!" on the port o potty in big bold letters-Drinking "enhanced" Jimmie Juice while freezing on Saturday
-"Pood Rascal!" and "Pood's Boy!"
-The men working on the generator for hours so we could have heat in the camper
-Rebuilding Eric and Kristie's camp everytime it blew down
-The highway worker that daddy almost flattened
-The "black motorcycle jacket" potato chip spitter; that brother made friends with at the race on Sunday
-Kristie burning me on the neck with her cigarette (owch!)
-Sitting at Texas Roadhouse absolutely exhausted on Sunday night after a whole weekend of fabulous fun and gut busting laughter
BRISTOL LOVE!
We are on our way for more fun with the boys this weekend. Last year it was 37 degrees and sleeting/raining/the wind was howling!! Thank goodness for waterproof boots and raincoats last year. Will not soon forget the creek rising just behind the camper and the tents suspended in water all through the campground. Eventhough we froze to death it was one of the best times I have ever had in Bristol.
Here we come!!!
We are on our way for more fun with the boys this weekend. Last year it was 37 degrees and sleeting/raining/the wind was howling!! Thank goodness for waterproof boots and raincoats last year. Will not soon forget the creek rising just behind the camper and the tents suspended in water all through the campground. Eventhough we froze to death it was one of the best times I have ever had in Bristol.
Here we come!!!
2.22.2006
Well well, it looks as if Tripod has gone belly up. For some reason my pictures are not in the links anymore. Am wiping them out until I can figure out another way to link them. SORRY!!!
2.10.2006
2.09.2006
1.03.2006
Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
My family had a great holiday season and got to spend a lot of quality time together. I had the joy of seeing snow outside my window the day after Christmas...but not in Bowmantown...Butler instead. Nonetheless it was beautiful!
Right now my family and I are focused on my upcoming wedding to the most wonderful man in the world. Wow it sure is a lot of work and $$$$$$$$$$$ for such a small intimate wedding. Cannot imagine what folks go through that have hundreds of guests at their wedding.
I am just ready to be called Mrs McGuire and get on that plane to Punta Cana Dominican Republic!!!
Greetings for this month are:
Happy Anniversary to Donna and Mike!
Happy Birthday Dotson!
Happy Birthday Daddy and me!
Happy Wedding Day April and Bill January 27th!
My family had a great holiday season and got to spend a lot of quality time together. I had the joy of seeing snow outside my window the day after Christmas...but not in Bowmantown...Butler instead. Nonetheless it was beautiful!
Right now my family and I are focused on my upcoming wedding to the most wonderful man in the world. Wow it sure is a lot of work and $$$$$$$$$$$ for such a small intimate wedding. Cannot imagine what folks go through that have hundreds of guests at their wedding.
I am just ready to be called Mrs McGuire and get on that plane to Punta Cana Dominican Republic!!!
Greetings for this month are:
Happy Anniversary to Donna and Mike!
Happy Birthday Dotson!
Happy Birthday Daddy and me!
Happy Wedding Day April and Bill January 27th!
11.24.2005
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Some things to be thankful for on this day.....
-Family
-Love
-Our good health
-cream corn
-sunshine on our faces
-big fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky
-mountains
That is enough for me. Hope everyone had a wonderful day!
Some things to be thankful for on this day.....
-Family
-Love
-Our good health
-cream corn
-sunshine on our faces
-big fluffy snowflakes falling from the sky
-mountains
That is enough for me. Hope everyone had a wonderful day!
11.13.2005
Click on the link below to watch a night video. This is experimental until I can upload a better one....you will hear fourwheelers and see their tail light as my group is taking off on a night ride. Must have Quicktime to watch it. Pretty cool.
Royal%20Blue%20and%20Cades%20Cove%20063.MOV
Royal%20Blue%20and%20Cades%20Cove%20063.MOV
11.07.2005
Happy Birthday Eric! This may be a little late...sorry.
Enjoyed seeing all our friends Friday night at Eric's birthday gathering. We are all so busy these days it is sometimes hard for us all to be in the same place at once.
Finally got the high speed internet and am going to try to get more pictures up soon. If my I.T. genius/fiance can figure up a way...I may even be able to get some video uploaded. Of course this is in combination with the upcoming holidays, planning our wedding and everything else. So please be patient with me.
Thanksgiving is coming soon! Can't wait for turkey, mashed taters, stuffing, gravy, cream corn, sweet taters, soup beans and lots of pumpkin pie!!
Enjoyed seeing all our friends Friday night at Eric's birthday gathering. We are all so busy these days it is sometimes hard for us all to be in the same place at once.
Finally got the high speed internet and am going to try to get more pictures up soon. If my I.T. genius/fiance can figure up a way...I may even be able to get some video uploaded. Of course this is in combination with the upcoming holidays, planning our wedding and everything else. So please be patient with me.
Thanksgiving is coming soon! Can't wait for turkey, mashed taters, stuffing, gravy, cream corn, sweet taters, soup beans and lots of pumpkin pie!!
11.04.2005
Hey all! Unfortunately I had to delete the guestbook temporarily. Seems a miserably inept queer had posted some rude comments on our guestbook. Jealousy is rampant these days as most people aren't as close to their families as we all are. I would hate to imagine how lonely and desolate our lives would be without family. I love you all!
10.17.2005
Hey all! Had the pleasure of joining the group in Royal Blue this weekend. We had an awesome time and I wish I was still there. If I had it my way I would live in that camping hole with a big fire to keep me warm and my fourwheeler as my only transportation. I am sure most of our riders would agree.
Now that I have access to high speed internet I should be able to create a few more albums soon. Patience my friends and family!
Now that I have access to high speed internet I should be able to create a few more albums soon. Patience my friends and family!
7.05.2005
Hola amigos! We are back from Cancun and had the best time!
Cannot say enough about the Riu Cancun and how extraordinary it was. We were treated like royalty and waited on hand and foot. Definitely something we are not used to. The ocean was beautiful and the atmosphere relaxing.
Now a few of us are looking forward to Myrtle Beach! Two vacations in one year is hard to come by but is well deserved and will surely be enjoyed.
But before Myrtle Beach will be another riding trip the weekend of July 16-17th. Not sure where we are going just yet.
Adios!
Cannot say enough about the Riu Cancun and how extraordinary it was. We were treated like royalty and waited on hand and foot. Definitely something we are not used to. The ocean was beautiful and the atmosphere relaxing.
Now a few of us are looking forward to Myrtle Beach! Two vacations in one year is hard to come by but is well deserved and will surely be enjoyed.
But before Myrtle Beach will be another riding trip the weekend of July 16-17th. Not sure where we are going just yet.
Adios!
5.23.2005
And now for our adventures in Royal Blue on Sunday May 22, 2005.
Those who joined us were: Jim, Rachel, Wes, Kristie, Er, Boss, Stetson, Dotson, Kasey, Jason, Leslie, Scarlett and Al.
Arrived around 4:30 Saturday afternoon in Royal Blue. Quickly discovered someone had already taken up residence in our favorite camping hole. Ended up camping in the first one we ever camped in at RB back in 2002. Daddy immediately pulled out the chainsaw and made short work of the downed tree that was blocking access to our site. After unloading everything and gathering firewood we started on supper and campfire sitting. Supper was fried taters, baked beans and hotdogs. We laughed a bunch that night and eventually retired to our beds to sleep. The next morning we all rode out to Perkins for breakfast, then back to camp to gear up!
Somehow on the way back from Perkins Dotson managed to lose a contact lens. After unsuccessful attempts at locating a replacement he gave up on it and they did not get to ride with us. Finally we were on the trail and we decided we wanted to find one we had never been on before. Not too far into that trail we discovered why. As we came up on a really steep embankment a few guys made it up. Kristie and I had parked ours because we did not feel comfy riding ours up. Eric was taking Kristies and as he got close to the top and had to turn with the deep ruts that 250 EX popped up on him and rolled over on top of him. Then like slow motion it rolled about 4 times to the bottom of the hill. Everyone got out of the way and no one else was hurt (tho I thought for a minute that Kristie was going to try and catch it). He was a little scratched up from landing in a briar patch but other than that he was okay. He said later that the fourwheeler pinned his head against the ground and was thankful for that helmet. This is one of the greatest riders to ever hit a trail and he knows the benefits of always wearing your headgear. The machine was unscathed and only suffered a bent brake lever that is easily fixed with a few turns of a screwdriver.
That trail ended up being pretty darn awesome and reminded me a lot of the pig path. Lots of narrow trails and tight winding curves amongst the trees and briars, a few hillclimbs and decents. That is an excellent trail in my book! We rode around and found another trail that was new to us; this one ended up being a dead end but not before another rider had a mishap. Kristie was attempting to come over a small but steep embankment and as she got over it the fourwheeler popped up and knocked her on her back. It landed on all fourwheels and left her laying on the ground. She quickly jumped up with both arms in the air celebrating that she was okay. Said it knocked the wind out of her but she was fine.
After all this excitement we ended up on the swimming hole trail. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this trail because it is full of everything! Smooth trails, lots and lots of big and small mudholes to splash in, tough rocks leading down to the creek crossing and an awesome view of the creek below as it gets bigger and bigger and eventually comes to a dam. At the end of this trail is the church and civilization. Found a really cute pup that reminded us of Diesel and squeezed his ears a bit. Took off up the road and the pup followed us! Came back out on another trail and there he was again! Rode yet to another trail and ended up coming back to the church and there he was yet again! As we headed back to camp following the swimming hole trail we were amazed that this little fella kept up with us. We were hoping he would follow us all the way back because we were going to bring him home and name him Royal Blue. But he ended up stopping to play with some kids and never came on up the trail.
When we got back to camp we ate and loaded up. We had been riding all day long and it was time to head home. Everyone made it back safe and sound.
Some unmentioned highlights include:
-the loud frogs on both sides of the trail that made you think your fourwheeler was messed up, they were so loud they were almost screaming
-the swollen dead mule on one of those trails, its feet were tied to a tree and not too far from there was a private graveyard. That spooked us and we didn't stay long!
-"dammit" sitting around the fire and making us laugh
Oh we had an awesome time and will go back again soon!
Those who joined us were: Jim, Rachel, Wes, Kristie, Er, Boss, Stetson, Dotson, Kasey, Jason, Leslie, Scarlett and Al.
Arrived around 4:30 Saturday afternoon in Royal Blue. Quickly discovered someone had already taken up residence in our favorite camping hole. Ended up camping in the first one we ever camped in at RB back in 2002. Daddy immediately pulled out the chainsaw and made short work of the downed tree that was blocking access to our site. After unloading everything and gathering firewood we started on supper and campfire sitting. Supper was fried taters, baked beans and hotdogs. We laughed a bunch that night and eventually retired to our beds to sleep. The next morning we all rode out to Perkins for breakfast, then back to camp to gear up!
Somehow on the way back from Perkins Dotson managed to lose a contact lens. After unsuccessful attempts at locating a replacement he gave up on it and they did not get to ride with us. Finally we were on the trail and we decided we wanted to find one we had never been on before. Not too far into that trail we discovered why. As we came up on a really steep embankment a few guys made it up. Kristie and I had parked ours because we did not feel comfy riding ours up. Eric was taking Kristies and as he got close to the top and had to turn with the deep ruts that 250 EX popped up on him and rolled over on top of him. Then like slow motion it rolled about 4 times to the bottom of the hill. Everyone got out of the way and no one else was hurt (tho I thought for a minute that Kristie was going to try and catch it). He was a little scratched up from landing in a briar patch but other than that he was okay. He said later that the fourwheeler pinned his head against the ground and was thankful for that helmet. This is one of the greatest riders to ever hit a trail and he knows the benefits of always wearing your headgear. The machine was unscathed and only suffered a bent brake lever that is easily fixed with a few turns of a screwdriver.
That trail ended up being pretty darn awesome and reminded me a lot of the pig path. Lots of narrow trails and tight winding curves amongst the trees and briars, a few hillclimbs and decents. That is an excellent trail in my book! We rode around and found another trail that was new to us; this one ended up being a dead end but not before another rider had a mishap. Kristie was attempting to come over a small but steep embankment and as she got over it the fourwheeler popped up and knocked her on her back. It landed on all fourwheels and left her laying on the ground. She quickly jumped up with both arms in the air celebrating that she was okay. Said it knocked the wind out of her but she was fine.
After all this excitement we ended up on the swimming hole trail. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this trail because it is full of everything! Smooth trails, lots and lots of big and small mudholes to splash in, tough rocks leading down to the creek crossing and an awesome view of the creek below as it gets bigger and bigger and eventually comes to a dam. At the end of this trail is the church and civilization. Found a really cute pup that reminded us of Diesel and squeezed his ears a bit. Took off up the road and the pup followed us! Came back out on another trail and there he was again! Rode yet to another trail and ended up coming back to the church and there he was yet again! As we headed back to camp following the swimming hole trail we were amazed that this little fella kept up with us. We were hoping he would follow us all the way back because we were going to bring him home and name him Royal Blue. But he ended up stopping to play with some kids and never came on up the trail.
When we got back to camp we ate and loaded up. We had been riding all day long and it was time to head home. Everyone made it back safe and sound.
Some unmentioned highlights include:
-the loud frogs on both sides of the trail that made you think your fourwheeler was messed up, they were so loud they were almost screaming
-the swollen dead mule on one of those trails, its feet were tied to a tree and not too far from there was a private graveyard. That spooked us and we didn't stay long!
-"dammit" sitting around the fire and making us laugh
Oh we had an awesome time and will go back again soon!