Cumberland

Going to Cumberland Island was a dream. Living in Utah for so long, I just never thought I would be able to share one of my favorite places with Dan and the boys. I suppose dreams do really come true! Cumberland is such a wonderful place. We would camp there a lot growing up and I always looked forward to it. I was so happy to share such a special place with Dan and see him enjoy it as much as I do. My Dad and Terri kept Sam and Tru so we could really enjoy ourselves. It can get pretty loud in our house with two little toddlers, so we were looking forward to spending time with Adam and Richard. It was fun to plan a trip that we were all excited about. The boys would ask me all about the island and what we would see and do there. It was great to see them in a place that is perfect for 7 and 6 year old boys.

So many great memories and a few things I wouldn't mind forgetting: The thousands of BITING gnats that were at the dock when we were loading our gear on the ferry. Even the deckhands said they had never seen the gnats that bad. I could have done without the 'waterbugs' aka roaches that hung out near the bathrooms. The tree frogs were great for the kids, but I like my privacy in my COLD shower. And I had to block out the sound of a giant possum that lived under the bathrooms. Dan cutting his foot in the ocean. The 3am rain storm wasn't a bonus and I could have done without the water in the tent and the following night of howling wind. But we have plenty of good memories to compensate. A few of my favorites: arriving at the Seacamp dock and finding it exactly how I remember it from 15 years ago, waking up early and watching the sun rise with Dan and the boys, walking to Dungeness and hanging out at the picnic table having a group snack picnic, hanging out on the bench, watching the kids play on "the monkey tree" from my childhood, campfire talks, fishing off the dock, watching the kids play together, and spending time with some of my favorite people.

So let the photos begin:

We stayed the night in St. Marys so we could catch the first ferry to the Island the next morning. It was like a scene from the circus clown car. I couldn't believe how much stuff we fit in the van and how fast we got it on the ferry. We had to bring everything we needed for the next four days. No Wal-mart runs...

Leaving it all behind

Here is the group that went: The McPheters, The J&J Mitchells, The Sharps (minus Sam and Tru), The P&S Mitchells, and the E&E Mitchells. Silly Faces for the Park Ranger

(I love this picture)

We gathered all our gear into the handcarts and started the trek to the group site. It was great how everyone helped each other. The kids were happy to help too.

The Live Oak trees that grow on Cumberland Island are simply amazing. They are so old and beautiful and unique. As children we called them "Monkey Trees", because we felt like monkeys climbing through their large, tangled limbs.

After we set up camp we headed straight to the beach. It was so peaceful and perfect. I love being at the beach and being on Cumberland's is just a sweet opportunity.

I remember racing down this boardwalk to the beach as a little girl. And then slowly walking back up it after a long and wonderful day on the beach. It was no different being there as an adult.

Luke flying down from heaven

The next day we took a hike to the ruins of the Dungeness Plantation.

This is what the mansion looked like in its heyday.

We went down to the marshes to look for shark teeth and the wild horses came for a visit.

Hiking around the plantation grounds

We stopped and had a snack-picnic. It was one of my favorite memories. Everyone passing this and that to each other. Summer sausage anyone?

Picnic Time

The kids at the big fountain.

We were reenacting a picture from our childhood. Aww.. look how grown up we are!

Adam and Richie posing by the wild horse and the ruins.

Take Two

Hiking and having a GOOD time!

And finally leaving it all behind...again...

It was hard to leave after such a great trip, especially not knowing when we will be able to go back. I just hope that when we do get back we will find it just how we left it.

One last look...goodbye

Halloween

We love almost everything about the fall; the temperatures are cooler, the bugs are mostly gone, and the fall colors are incredibly beautiful. We wish we could transplant the dogwoods, and all of the fall color that is here, back to Utah. Then there is Halloween, we love Halloween! Unfortunately, we haven't really been able to celebrate it like we normally do these past two years. Last year, we didn't have floors in our home, and this year, we didn't even decorate because we need to keep the house looking as clean and clutter-free as possible for potential buyers. Maybe next year we will be able to really celebrate Halloween.

Halloween 2010

Halloween 2011

Truman doesn't last too long.

Cousins picture at Grandma's house

One of the maple trees in our front yard.

Now that it's too cold for most of the bugs, we can actually go outside and enjoy the new grass in the backyard.

For Sale

After almost two years, hundred of hours of work, and plenty of our own blood, sweat, and tears, our home is on the market. We never intended to sell this house when we bought it; we honestly thought we would be here for 30+ years. We haven't had the time, or money, to do all the things we wanted to do to the home, but we have gotten it to a move-in-ready state that we believe some potential buyer would be happy with. We never could have done it without the help of my Dad and the Tosh family. Thank you so very much for all of your service!

At some point we'll have to do a before and after post. Some of these rooms, and especially the yard, are much different from what they were two years ago. We have loved our first house, it has had its challenges, but it has taught us some great lessons as well.