And I will soon forget what we even did! So, I've taken a lot of pictures...it's really the only way for me to keep track of this summer. Here's a run-down before I completely forget what we've been up to...
This weekend we headed east to Natural Bridge State Park with Steven and Lindsey
We began by over-packing the poor Subaru...who knew how much stuff we'd need for ONE night? Backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, camping stove, camping chairs, clothes, groundpads, coolers, food....you get the idea.
But it was well worth it when Steven cooked us up an awesome breakfast in the morning
And we were pretty comfortable just sitting outside...the temperature was 75 at the highest and got into the 50's at night...very atypical for July but wonderful for sleeping outside!
We considered riding the sky-lift to the top, but at 9$ a trip, we opted for the cheesy picture in the chair instead.
So we hiked our way to the top, which was way more fun and saved us some money too...
The view wasn't too bad either
The evening entertainment options at Natural Bridge are endless....we began with putt-putt.
It was a difficult course...and the competition was fierce!
Later, after some pizza at Miguels's (an awesome place if you're ever hiking/climbing in the Gorge), we got to experience "Hoedown Island," which has been around for quite some time. (Nate went here once when he was a kid, as did my mom!) Lindsey and Nate bravely joined in the square dancing circle, while Steven and I laughed at them and took pictures.
The the Miss Sunshine girls performed a clog dance...precious!
Okay, so Hoedown Island isn't
exactly an island, but more of a chunk of pavement in the middle of a pond right next to the lodge. It sure does bring out a variety of people...enough said, and the "sound system" was more like a record player with an old man holding a microphone up to it (they experienced "technical difficulties" more than a few times) but it was clear that this was
the place to be in Slade, KY. It was fun to watch all these families and kids who KNEW these dances by heart have a great time.
Other than camping, we've still been busy...Here's the girls at Julie's engagement party at August Moon..yum!
And we've had a few poker nights at our house.
And no summer is complete without a trip to Green River for some fishing
And of course I had to post about our garden...it's kind of gone crazy but I'm loving it!
The veggies are growing so fast...
And we've picked probably 15-20 squash and at least 10 zucchini....I've mastered the art of making zucchini bread, squash casserole, fried squash/zucchini, and pretty much any dish you can imagine. However, I still couldn't use it all up so I froze a bunch this morning and hopefully this winter it will still taste just as good as it does fresh out of the garden (I can hope, right?)
Me, Mary, Amanda and Erin enjoying dinner outside. We had great weather too and I can't for the life of me remember the name of this restaurant but I do know it was excellent!
Our condo was on the beach on Isle of Palms....right outside Charleston so it was in pretty much the perfect location. Nate and I have been here and to Folly Beach numerous times in college since it was only 5 hours from east TN. Charleston is such a beautiful and historic southern town that I never get tired of visiting!
Erin and I getting some ice-cream on our way to the beach...we look a little twin-ish here!
This is how we spent the morning and afternoons...so relaxing! Isn't Mary the cutest pregnant girl ever? She's due in January so we spent some time brainstorming names of course!
And of course no trip to the beach would be complete without playing in the waves, which we did a lot...that's Erin by the way who will probably not be happy about me putting this picture up but I think it's cute!
Amanda and I at Hyman's Seafood...if you've ever been to Charleston, you probably ate here or at least passed it by and saw the crazy long lines to get in. Mary's husband's cousin Travis (did you follow that?) is the head manager here and got us in with no wait and gave a great table too!
Walking around the city at night
We didn't stay in this place, but found a beautiful little bed and breakfast that had a great spot to take a photo...I guess no one cared that we made ourselves at home!
Saturday afternoon in Charleston before our flight out:(
One final picture of us in front of the fountain at Hotel Charleston. I am so thankful for this time I got to spend with these girls...we have all pretty much been close friends since, oh, 7th grade? (Except for the obviousness of how Erin and I have been bff's since the womb!) Crazy when I think about it...we have lots of memories that go way back and we spend a lot of time reminiscing and catching up on the present as well. I love how we can pick up wherever we left off and just take it from there. If there's anyone who I feel knows me well, it's these girls and I love how we can all just be ourselves around each other...isn't that what true friends should expect? I feel blessed that they are a part of my life!
