Family Camp

This weekend, we packed the car up and headed to the North Carolina mountain. We were off to family camp - a weekend getaway to Kanuga (an Episcopal Conference center.) We went last year for the first time and were hooked.

Going to Kanuga is like taking a step back in time. The cabins we stay in are rustic, bare bones dwellings. They were built in the early 1900's. As I sat on Saturday nursing Latham, I thought about all of the people who had likely slept in these cabins over the years.

The rocking chairs look out over the lake.

There are no TVs and no cell phone service. And I cannot tell you how nice and refreshing it is to unplug for a weekend. Alan said going there makes him want to simplify his life.

The girls didn't want to leave and who can blame them?

We kicked off the weekend with a game of Bingo - announced by Alan (with help from Ellery and Vaughan). Bingo is a very underrated game, don't you think? There were probably 60 of us playing on Friday night and adults and children of all ages alike were fully engaged. We finished the night with some smores by the fire.

Saturday, I helped with the children's activities. There were craft projects, scavenger hunts, fishing...you get the idea. After a much needed afternoon nap/rest, Ellery, Vaughan and I went on a hike (or as Ellery like to call it - an expedition.) We discovered hidden cabins and houses, colored leaves, wild flowers and lots of mosquitoes!

Saturday night after dinner we ambled down to the Pavilion for a Hoe Down. And, as if there was ever any doubt, it was confirmed that we come from a "dancing people." Holy hot shoes - Ellery danced NON STOP for two hours. Her routine included - electric slide, tapping, river dance, break dancing, and just jumping. The sweet thing was drenched in sweat and was red cheeked when we finally told her it was time to go.

We ended the weekend with a service in the woods and a trip to a hill top apple orchard. Sound heavenly? It was.