SKYLINE SCAMPS

Pat and I remember....
the first time we ...wended our way (ahhh, corn)....down to the ever beautfiul, always impressive Virginia Skyline Drive and the historic Shennandoah Valley. October of '71. And l'il one year old Kelly was with us.

Where were Kimberly and Michael? They were still living in the far off land of Potentiality.
















Our most recent trip down the Skyline. Just this week. Left Monday, returned Wednesday. Rain and wind, Monday. Tues. and Wed. gloriously sunny Winter days. Even in Feb. the scenery was a #10.
On our way down we wanted to stop at Marriottsville Sate Park for lunch. Closed.

Then, I remembered. The Sisters of Bon Scours Spiritual Center, a few miles down the road. We quietly rolled into their parking lot. And ate our picnic lunch. In the car. Didn't want the nuns to kick us out.
I have fond memories of this place. Beautiful countryside setting. Back in the early '60's I was stationed at the Passionist Monastery in nearby Balto. I would occasionally fill in for for the chaplain here and at the Bon Secours Hospital in town. As monastery vocation director, my job was to introduce interested young people into joining the religious life and priesthood. I sent two young women in their early 20's here to the Sisters of Bon Secours. 50 years later, I forget their names. And we didn't want to go over to the front door....and ask. But I wonder how they fared.

Another of our favorite stops in northern VA is Berryville. A small town on the Shennandoah River and home of the Trappist Monks. A centuries old religious order dedicated to contemplation in the context of Benedictine monastic observance. Plus an unusual vow of silence.
You should see their farmland. Hundred of acres. Whole herds of Black Angus cattle. The monks tend all this. In silence and prayer. Sounds so foreign to our culture. But they still attract vocations. Deo volenti.



Huge monastery out in open country.

And this tiny sign to tell you where you are.








Holy Cross Trappist Abbey, VA










Pat! I'm gonna join them there Trappists.

Pat: No, Chris (Warren)! The Trappists don't accept guys over 75!
Now get down here and let's go to lunch in the next town!

Yes, dear.






We spent the rest of the day venturing down the Blue Ridge Mountain Skyline Drive.

We stop about every half hour at one of the lookouts. In Trappist silence we just stare out at the beauty of it all!

An uplifting three days down south in Stonewall Jackson country.

And, all said and done, it's great to be back in good ol' Pike Creek Valley. Amen!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KIM!

Mother Pat was very scrupulous about getting Kimmee ...and Kelly and me...out into the fresh air every day!

Kelly liked to lie in bed with her kid sister. By the way, that's not a breast protruding into the pic. That's the tip of my elbow from the next...pillow!

Kim would laugh and laff at Pat's funny faces routine.

Bottle time. Milk for Kim. Scotch for me.

First birthday girl!

Mike: "C'mon, Kim, blow out the candle. I want cake!!!!"

Our little track athlete.

Pat and I always insisted on obedience! OR ELSE!

Years later...Christmas at Rockerfeller Center. Hey, there's Aunt Pat!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR KIM!

GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL!

It was a dark, dreary December day. The day Pat and I boarded this here "elongated tube" (you know, the one with windows and wings) and wended our way westward. By golly, six hours and 3,000 miles later we set foot in good ol' Portand, OR.

Home of the Christophers. No, not our ancestral home. Home of Mike, Kay and l'il baby Good!

Okay, enuff of the cornball lingo: we went west to see our son Mike, his lovely wife Kay and l'il baby Good.





We were greeted with open arms and feet.














Mamma Kay with Good...when he was a "little guy". One of our favorite pics.

Kay's an artist (MFA). Teaches at Portland State.

Good's still not totally used to daddy's tickly-tickly red beard.

Mike's a beard-guy. Makes him look more professorial. He's a phsychologist. Teaches at Pacific University.

Clever! Artist Kay painted one of the dining room walls with a special black paint. Turning it into a super-sized (8'x12') chalkboard.




Their new home in the western suburbs of Portland. 1/2 acre graced by tremendous evergreen trees.

Douglas Firs and giant Cedars spiral up over 100ft. to the blue sky above.

This Douglas Fir is 8' from the house. Has a 6' circumference. No! Not Pat. The tree!!!!


















Mike, Lord of the Backyard Manor






Mike's old folks, Mom and Dad. Great yard, Mike and Kay!

Got wheels! Gotta go!

Grandma luvin' up Good...Good luvin' up Grandma!


Hard to get a nap.

Oh! Dear me! It was peaceful 'round here before the gramps showed up!

Our last day in town Mike and Kay took us up to Mt. Hood. About 60 miles due east.

So beautiful!

So was our visit to Mike, Kay and Good! Thanks, dear guys!

T'WAS EARLY THANKSGIVING MORNING.....

.....and all thru 23 Dogwood... not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.....well...maybe one or two. Then it happened! Quiet became chaos! The kids woke up Thanksgiving morning!




The Pat's were up at the crack of dawn preparing dinner...getting ready for the onrush of kids!















They ran around the yard screaming and shouting: WE WANT TURKEY! WE WANT TURKEY!

L'il guy Damien was too young to run 'round. So Joe and Pat ran him on their shoulders. Very touching!

MAMMA! MAMMA! TURKEY MILK!

Yes, dear little Rome. Happy Thanksgiving!



































So good to see you, Good, and your mom and dad on Thanksgiving Day! WE WANT TURKEY! TURKEY!

Mike: "Stop snoring, Kim! You'll wake up the ol' man. I'm tryin' to watch this cowboy pic!"

Good ol' Mike protected all of us from a plague of killer(?) bees! Watch out for the seagulls!

Wolfie: "Lordy, all this screaming and shouting for TURKEY! A guy can't even nap around here!













Lady Puffball Siobahn(bhan?). In a calm mood right now. Preparing herself mentally to be nice to the groomer lady.

"I always feel so naked after she clips and snips me. Oh well, it makes Pat happy!"

Later.

Sio: "Ahh, I feel so trim and light! So warm(?). Bring on those Winter blizzards!"

"Bye for now. Great seein' y'all! Esp. you, dear Wolfie!"

THANKS, PAT AND JOE, FOR ANOTHER WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING MEMORY! BE WELL!

THEM THAR' BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS!

Sunday, October 17th was a glorious Autumn day. Cobalt blue sky. The Blue Ridge Mountains' Skyline Drive...all crazy with color! What a day! What a way.... to celebrate my 80th!

The Appalacian Trail criss-crosses the Skyline Drive several times.

Pat and I, for oldtime's sake, hiked on down the Trail for for a mile or so. To soak up its beauty...its history.

"Hey, Pat, slo' down, will ya'! We don't have to jog along the Appalacian. Just hike along!"

Coupla' Mamma Bears!!

Disclaimer: No! We're not 'Palin People'. You know, them thar' Tea Party folk!

A hike in the woods. So much beauty!With the uneasy feeling that...the winter (of life) may be just around the bend!

"Hey, Pat! I reckon it's about 10 miles or so to the other side of the Shennandoah Valley. Let's go!

Pat: "Yeah, sure! I'll see you when you get back!"

Friendly bears all over the place down in these here parts.

Bridge to the future....

Our three day mountain caper went by so fast.

Came home Monday evening to our cats, Rollo and Renee.

And to our miniture condo deck garden....awaiting the first frost for the Fall of '10.

Thankful for such a safe, beautiful trip. Glad to be back!