On my last day at Pipestem, I started by playing 9 at the golf course and shooting a 43.  Why did I stop after 9?  I was losing balls in the rough just off the fairway and getting very frustrated, so I decided to quit while I was ahead.

New River in the gorge

The river is so wide at this point it looks like a lake.  There are many small boats on it, all fishing in some way, going after the 4 pound small mouths, which are not unheard of.  On a small beach I saw this perfectly round rock and shortly thereafter a beautiful butterfly.  It's is sure one of God's favorite places of beauty!

The circumference of a basketball, but not perfectly round. 

It was shaped like a curling stone.

The trip to Douthat was pleasant and uneventful, in spite of a long wait at a tire place to replace a bad stem core.  Air wouldn't go in.  Also met 2 scooter guys from Maine at a rest area, touring the east coast on 650cc Suzukis.  Talk about adventure!  They were inspiring!

It is very beautiful here, and still cool, with a large lake featuring swimming, boating and fishing.  The campgrounds are small, well kept and nicely private.  Here is what I saw upon my first trip to the lake.

 

I've had 2 close calls on the scooter since I've been here, both occurring in the park.  The gravel used on the road shoulders is very fine and the same color as the asphalt, hence it's invisible.  Even knowing it was there didn't help those 2 times, so it means going very slowly and assuming all of it is gravel.  Not much fun.

Trey and the boys will be here tomorrow and I sure am glad.  The solitude I've had since West Jefferson has totally lost its' appeal and I'm ready for some people!  Sure hope their ears don't fall off from all the talking I'll probably do.  It was also be so good to see Barbara next week, too, and all of the Crowder's at the birthday celebration the following Saturday. 

Speaking of Barbara, she sent me this the other day, saying it reminded her of what I'm doing with my life right now:

"We do ourselves and others a disservice when we make old age something to be feared.  Life is not a resource to be used up, so that the older we get, the less we have left.  Life is the accumulation of wisdom, love and experience of people encountered and obstacles overcome.  The longer we live, the more life we possess."

   Rabbi Harold Kushner from his book Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World

Thank you, Barbara. It is very reassuring to know somebody really gets it, and it means even more that it's you!  Love you!