7/12/11 (Wednesday):  I have no excuses--it's been a long time since my last blog.  I have pictures from our visit to Boone on the way home, a day trip to Roan Mountain where the rhododendrons were in full bloom, a Dykes family reunion, Mag's birthday, and a visits from Katelyn for the final space shuttle launch.  So let's get started!

 On the way back to FL from MI, we stopped for a visit with our old friends at the Boone, NC, KOA.  It was great to see everyone again!  It was so lovely and cool.  We had a wonderful time.  (Lily enjoyed the break, too.)  Thanks, Joan and Bob, Lynne, Lindsay, Gary and everyone else.  We miss you already.  We hope you'll visit us in FL this winter!

The gardens were in full bloom.

 We enjoyed driving around some of the country roads, including the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 In the mornings, the mist in the valleys looked so cool.  Lots of wildflowers were in bloom.

We also did a kayaking trip on the New River.  We used the River Girl livery, which is housed in the old Todd train station.  I loved their sign!

 Another day, we drove to Roan Mountain, where the wild rhododendrons were in full bloom.  We had a short hike and drove back another way--what a glorious day!

 As mentioned in previous blogs, we really enjoy the local tradition of putting quilt paintings on the side of barns.  Also, note the diagonal siding on this barn--that's another local tradition that we like.

 These barns were behind the Mast General Store in Valle Crusis--another of our favorite haunts.

One of the outbuildings behind the Mast General Store had this old Coke sign on it.  It looks like it could date back to 1883 when the store was first opened, doesn't it!

We stopped at Troy's Diner for a burger on the way back.  It's a real classic--like our good friend, Troy!

We got back to FL just in time for the Dykes family reunion at Bing's Fish Camp near Palm Coast.  It was a really warm day, but we had a great time anyhow (and the food was stupendous).

  On 7/7, we celebrated Mag's birthday in Winter Park.  Looking good, Mag!

Cathy outdid herself with 4 different flavors of cupcake.  Yum!

Katelyn found a unique way to carry her pillow back to New Smyrna Beach for a visit with us.  Her brother had been there the week before to do some fishing with Wiley.  I think Katelyn had a good time.  She saw hummingbirds at our feeder, got up close and personal with a couple of manatees that were hanging out at the pier and ... (wait for it)

 

 watched the launch of the Apollo--the last space shuttle.  It was a very moving experience.

We're now in the process of packing the little camper up (again) and closing up the big camper (again) and heading for Michigan on Saturday (again)!  Wiley will have surgery on 8/2 for the DBS implant and 3 weeks later the pulse generater will be implanted.  Then he'll have some follow-up stuff with the neurologist and neurosurgeon.  Hopefully, when we return in early October, he'll be tremor free and taking a lot less medication.

Wish I could say I'll blog again soon, but judging by the appointments in my calendar, I'd say: "Don't hold your breath."  I'll try to keep everyone updated with emails and via Facebook. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer, friends!