Table for Two

I was digging around in the My Pictures folder when I stumbled across this gem. I think the photo was taken in 1998 which would put Maxwell at 5 and Trevor at 3. The boys didn't even take up the length of the table yet. I wonder why Maxwell found it necessary to wear a wristwatch.

Brotherly Love

So we are at a wrestling tournament last weekend and Max, who is a pretty good wrestler, is down 0-3 and he doesn't like to lose. I'm running a scorer's table when Max gives me his match ticket that includes his name and little brother Trevor's. I look up at Max as he tries to explain with a sheepish grin that this will give Trevor good experience because they have wrestled each other before and blah, blah, blah. I reply, "I know what you're up to and you'd better not break his neck." Max promises and goes to collect Trevor. I smile and prepare my camera.

Upside Down

As a parent you often get caught up in the dailyness of life and don't realize your children growing and maturing and changing. Then your child demonstrates some new ability or talent or quality that turns your perception of them upside down. The other day at wrestling practice Max gives me a hey-Dad-watch-this and demonstrates that he is no longer a little boy but a big strapping young man who is more athletic than his old man ever was or ever will be.

Trevor's Piano Recital

Trevor played "From a Distance" by Bette Midler during his second piano recital and gave a flawless performance after some initial hesitation. Big Brother Maxwell was on hand but resisted the temptation to mock poor little Trevor. Probably because Camera Man Dad was giving him the Don't-you-say-one-word look.

Allergic to North Carolina

Poor Trevor woke up with hives from head to toe. It seems he is allergic to North Carolina. After I brought him back from the doctor, he took a 4 hour nap. Hopefully the medicine helps and he'll be doing better tomorrow. We're just going to hang out at the house and take the day off.

Spelunkers

Today, I'm taking the gang to Morril's Cave near Elizabethton, Tennessee for our very first caving expedition. Shellsea, Max and Trevor are all excited and ready to explore.

One size fits all (Not!)

And I thought the whitewater rafting helmut was small.

Morril's Cave

Click picture to enlarge

Here we are just outside the entrance to Morril's Cave (aka Worley's Cave). High Mountain Expeditions provided two excellent cave guides pictured on the left. Our guides, Max and Jeff (yes, it did cause some confusion), were fanatastic. They made the expedition lots of fun and even kept me from cracking my head open during a very scary fall. Since we were their first expedition of the season, Max and Jeff took us on the special tour and led us through lots of chamber and passages that aren't included in the standard package. Please note, this is the last time you will see us clean.

Into the Abyss

Click picture to enlarge

Our naive little spelunkers are marching off into the abyss. They have a spring in their step and smiles on their face. This is going to be fun! This is going to easy!

Tight Squeeze

Click picture to enlarge

You can't really appreciate this picture without hearing the screams and giggles. The kids are taking a little detour to visit a small chamber called the Egg Room. I tried to follow, but you're required to slither on your belly over 25 feet through this very narrow crevice. Halfway through I felt the grip of claustrophobia for the first time in my life. I decided to back out and let the kids enjoy this on their own.

The Mud Room

Click picture to enlarge

Trevor demonstrates the log roll for everyone in a small cavern known as The Mud Room. There is nothing more enjoyable than rolling around in cold muddy water. I'm not going to try it though. I'll just take their word for it.

Girls are Icky

Click picture to enlarge

Gail and Shellsea are no wimps. They showed us guys a thing or two. In fact, I had trouble keeping up with them.

At the end of my rope

This is where I really start to get tired (Notice the blank, vacant stare). My guide gently encourages me, "We're almost to the halfway point, Jeff. Hang in there."

Cavemen

Click picture to enlarge

I had no idea what I was getting us into. For the last 4½ hours, we have walked, crawled, slipped, climbed, slid, waded, tripped, pulled, and slithered our way through almost 5 miles of passages. At one point when we were wading down a waist-deep, icy-cold creek that runs through the lower level of the cave, I could hear my son Trevor's teeth chattering in the darkness. I asked our guide how far we were below the surface. When he replied somewhere over a mile, I cursed myself (can you say hypothermia?). However, we finally emerged safe and uninjured, although we are a little banged up, very cold, and extremely exhausted. I have to admit though, this expedition has been one of the most unique and profound experiences of my life. As my boys would say, "it was awesome!"

Today's Adventure

We're loading up the horses and going to hit the trails at the DuPont State Park today.

Covered Bridge

Click on picture to enlarge

I know I named this post "Covered Bridge," but a more appropriate name would be "Saddle Sore." My backside is singing Ava Maria. What reproductive ability wasn't destroyed by yesterday's too-tight wetsuit was taken care of by my first horseback ride in almost 40 years.

Lake Imaging Trail

Click picture to enlarge

Gail's leading Max off for a scenic ride on the Lake Imaging Trail. Trevor and I followed on foot not knowing what an arduous hike was in store for us.

The Lone Ranger

Click on picture to enlarge

Maxwell did fantastic for his first ride. Cashmere obeyed his every command and gave him and excellent ride. I'm sure after carrying my 250lbs for 4 miles through the hills, Cashmere was grateful for the break.

A well-deserved rest

Click picture to enlarge

After a very long and difficult hike, Trevor and I stumbled across the Grassy Creek Falls. Trev immediately asked if he could soak his feet (the water was way too cold) and grab a bite. I almost fell in trying to get this picture but it was worth the risk.

Trevor's View

Click picture to enlarge

This was the view Trevor was enjoying as he munched on his ham sandwich.

Ready to ride...Well, almost

Click picture to enlarge

Trevor's geared up and ready to ride. I guess I should tell him his helmut's on backwards.

Trevor's Turn

Click picture to enlarge

Trevor finally gets his turn. However, Cashmere had had enough and headed back down the trail despite Trevor's best efforts to turn him around for a visit to the covered bridge. Maybe next time, Trevor.

First morning

We're finally here. The boys are checking out my friend Gail's horses, Cashmere and Phoenix, on a crispy cool morning here in beautiful North Carolina. It's a little chilly but we hope to do some whitewater rafting today.

Men in tights

The boys and I getting ready for our first whitewater rafting expedition on the frigid French Broad River (that's why we are wearing the sexy wetsuits). The Nantahala Outdoor Center provides expert guides and all of the gear necessary for a fun-filled adventure. Fortunately, the tourist season hasn't quite yet started so we're receiving extra attention and we have the river all to ourselves today.

The Calm Before the Storm

Click on picture to enlarge

This place is heaven. The boys are so happy. They've been wearing constant grins since we got in the raft. We're surrounded by beautiful mountains and lovely forests. It's so quiet and peaceful as we slowly drift down the river...

...oh my God! Here come the rapids!