With the weather turning, it was time to get away for a pause ...
Camp food (well, short term camp food)
In my element
Art
Preparing our accomodations
Our accomodation: One futon and one SUV = one killer camp site
With camp set up, we set off, starting out the trip with the sad tale of the man who once was but ... as the Lord has Given, so the Lord has taken away.
With the Old Man gone, the only thing worth looking at is a visitor center from days gone by. So, we take note of the designs and make mental notes for some future vacation home.
Atop Artist's Bluff
Ponderance
The signs of the changing season
Art
You were my queen in calico, I was your bashful barefoot beau ...
With night falling, I dig into boy scout skills.
A beautiful sight
With hot dogs just itching to be eaten, we wait for the fire to burn down to coals and share a meal of a different kind
Now THAT is camp food!
A morning view of the nearby creek
As nice as the fire was the night before ... in the morning it is even better
The perfect breakfast
"But roast apples are not much good without sugar, and they are too hot to eat with your fingers till they are too cold to be worth eating ... But the spirit of adventure was rising in them all, and no one really wanted to be back at school" Prince Caspian - C.S. Lewis
With a rising spirit of adventure, my wife and I explore the Flume
"So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it." Willy Wonka
The stunning view encapsulates us 'till we are wrapped all about.
Art
Pressing forward
Would you believe it? ANOTHER waterfall.
Look out after lookout!
Look OUT!
Another adventure ...
The passage way is conquered
Some one needs a hug!
"If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden
If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of the LORD" Proverbs
And THAT is what drove William Wilberforce
Mount Liberty - With the Old Man of the Mountain gone, we turn our attention towards the profile of President Washington.
Waiting in line to talk to our Senator Kerry
Of course, since half the state wanted to talk to him as well, the closest we got was the overflow room in the gym with about 2,000 other people watching a projected image of our Senator. I filled out a question card and was promised that my concerns over the national health care bill would be addressed (i.e. programs like Samaritan Ministries). I still await the call for details I was so dutifully promised I'd receive. Who knows. Maybe tomorrow ...
"Grandpa" is reunited with grandson (Ok, I'm still not sure I'M totally adjusted to the idea of my dad being a grandfather ... but, I'll be OK)
In a moment, I become "Uncle Mike"
William is shown off at the Chiropractor's office
"It's OK, William, someday you'll learn to appreciate all the publicity"
My ever adoring mother
"Come on! I just want to see the castle"
Matthew gives us a debonair pose ...
William, STILL waiting to see the castle follows suit
What a view!
Find ME!
Personally, I like my angle better
Ok! Enough talk ... Entree Vous
Well said!
I'm liking that food!
A time for portrait art
Locksley 'imself is granted a special pass by the sheriff to join us
The local vineyard keeper and his beloved
Siblings Unite
"There! A ship. Dost thou see it upon the horizon?"
"Fear not, good sister, for if it is trouble they want, we shall protect thee"
"Then let them come"
Of course, not everyone takes to posing every second of the visit
"Oh! You messed with the wrong guy this time" 
Warming up for action
Danger, for the moment passes by
With the coast clear of danger, I pass the camera on, and greet my bride
"Boy! Do I love you!"
Wow! I'm blessed.
2 Blessed Couples
What's going on here?
Oh, just ANOTHER picture! (can you believe it?)
Just when you thought we were done, the arches are filled again ...
... and AGAIN!
.... AND AGAIN!
Can you tell? We MISSED our sister!
"I want to sit next to her in the van!" "Avast fell nave, 'tis my turn" "Thou chattering cockatiel, defend yourself"
Be it decreed, Sisters must marry locally!
Art
The decree given, the baron returns to his castle.
Would you believe that there is an ice cream that not only isn't bad for you, but is arguably actually GOOD for you? Purely Decadent made with coconut milk and sweetened with agave. Ahh ... does life get much better?
Hear that Willie? Open up!
Once upon a time, in a land not too far away. Three young men were training upon a beach
Far away, a young mother awaits the return of her love.
Suddenly something captures the young leader's eye
For there upon the shore are 4 half drowned fishermen washed up on shore like the pieces of driftwood they had become
"These men must be avenged and restored to their families"
And so they were. The end.
Chatting with the friendly locals (of course ... I have noticed that when we go anywhere in costume the "locals" become increasingly friendly)
A Beco Baby is an epic baby
"Those who go down to the sea in ships,
A time for huggin'
... which gives Bekah time get her baby fix until "her time" comes
After church, everyone gathered for a picnic. 
Conversation ensues as it often doos
First upon matters with importance so light
But gradually talk shifted to wrongs not quite right
Forced vaccinations, could it cause us to worry?
All I can say is, I'm I glad I'm from Missouri
Political discussion dropped aside, we engage in Ultimate Frisbee
"Hey Chris, 'dja hear the one about the plane? No! Well ... don't worry, it's probably over your head."
Victory! Sweet Victory.
After all that excursion, nothing says "food" like meat on a stick.
"Eat me"
My siblings idea of portrait art
