Ken used "map my run" when he mowed the yard the other day

...the map above shows the "route" taken, pace and calories burned.

....and, no,

he was not on a riding mower! :-)

Cold or Cole Mountain Hike

From the George Washington National Forest website:

Can't make it to Scotland or Switzerland anytime soon to hike those spectacular high mountain meadows? Well right here in the Old Dominion we have the next best thing! Every hiker in the mid-Atlantic should hike Cold Mountain at least once. The 360° meadow views from the saddle are are some of the best on the east coast.

These are the names of some of the major mountains in the spectacular view

when you finally reach the top. 

Similar view....in all directions!

John, Mimi, Jeanne and Peter, Ken and I enjoyed brisk temperatures on the 5.8 mile hike which features 2 overlooks on the way up to the summit.

this was my attempt at a partial panorama

It was truly spectacular to reach the top of the mountain and find ourselves in a meadow with 'top of the world' views.  Jeanne and Peter enjoyed collecting apples from an old apple tree that was laden with fruit just on the side of the clearing.  Thanks be to God for an amazing time!

it was a wonderful blessing to enjoy the fall color and enjoy some family time.

On Sunday,

Jeanne prepared an apple pie using apples she picked at the summit:

Prince william forest with tee and the littles

The hike

The 165 pound dog we met on the way....meet Addy, Bull Mastiff...

A beautiful day

And beautiful scenery

and nothing is more wonderful than to throw odds and ends off a bridge!

right, Kateri?

but NOT the apple :-)

a leaf or twenty two---just right!

danny's funny bone

Timothy Hay in the back garden for winter mulch....and so much fun putting it down with the littles.

Smile for the day

INNER PEACE

 If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without alcohol,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

...Then You Are Probably