Family Train Pictures

Pictured above are:

1st: Will, 4 1/2
2nd: Bethany, 5 1/2(all teeth!)
3rd: Audrey, 9, and our grand-nephew (that's right!), Tyler - 2 1/2
4th: Alison, our sister-in-law, and Tate, 6 1/2
5th: Brad's Grandma Rosie, his Aunt Linda, his sister, Shellie and brother, John (who share a birthday)

* Most of the kids in the Bennett family, little ones anyway, were winter babies- so they've been celebrating their half birthdays. I couldn't forget the "1/2" part.

Cass Scenic Railroad

Another family activity this week included our trip up to Cass, WV to ride the old steam engine train they have there. We rode it halfway up the mountain and back. (I can't remember the name of the mountain. There are so many around here.) After about a 45 min. ride up, changing directions by switchbacks, which is how they built tracks up the mountain back in 1900, we stopped at Whittaker. Whittaker is now a picnic area and outdoor museum, of sorts, where they show some old train cars and timber machines, including an old meal car complete with the original kitchen equipment. There used to be a busy sawmill in Cass, but it's been closed for many years. The tour guide told us that the entire mountain had been cleared out by timber companies by 1950, and all that we saw had grown up since then. It was really amazing that an entire mountain could be covered by forest in around fifty years time. Also, this railroad was built mostly by immigrants from Italy who used picks, tools, and some black powder. They would then walk all the way to the top of the mountain at night to sleep at a little camp-like town up there, and back down again in the early morning to start work again. It's incredible to me that so many worked so hard to build railroads, and then to keep them in working and safe condition. My dad and grandpa worked for the railroad, so it was especially interesting to me to learn about all of this stuff.

The Famous Family Photo Rock

Every year when Brad's brother, John, visits WV, we go to Blackwater Falls. As we go down the 241 stairs to the falls overlook, there is a huge rock that the kids climb on top of and we take pictures. We could compare year to year to see how much they've grown if we wanted to. So, here are a few pictures of the kids -- Bethany and Mallory you can probably pick out, and the others are Audrey, Will, and Tate. They live in California, and our kids had so much fun with them this last week. They don't see each other very often, so the time together is precious.

"Mr. Shucks"

We went to a Cedar Rapids Kernels Minor League baseball game, and Mallory was absolutely in awe of Mr. Shucks, the mascot. She was always pointing toward him and whining or grunting, her way of asking for him. She was rarely distracted from looking for him unless we were feeding her some sort of ballfield treat. So, when we saw the cutout board of Mr. Shucks, we just had to take advantage.

Canoe Time

We did go canoeing at a local lake near the camp. Shannon took me and Mallory as passengers on her canoe because she knew she'd have to do all the rowing, and she has the most muscle and experience to get the job done. My dad and sister, Jess, took Bethany on their canoe. She had a paddle, too, which she dropped in the water almost immediately. But, we fished it out for her. She mostly just enjoyed the ride. Mallory was a challenge for me, though, because she wanted to put her hands in the water and try to climb into my dad's canoe. She acted like she could just walk across the water to get to them a few times. So, after a while, we passed her to Grandma who was out of the water. We had fun, and what a good workout!

My Adventure on the ZipLine

Yes, I did go on the zipline through the forest at Shannon's camp. My mom's camera probably has better pictures of it, but here is what I'm willing to show you. (even though, it's a rear view! haha) This thing was so fun! And, just before me, a young man in a wheelchair was strapped into a harness and got to experience the ride,too. That's what makes this camp so special.....these kids get to do such amazing things, no matter their disability.

Field of Dreams

I didn't pass up a chance to visit the Field of Dreams, you know, from the Kevin Costner movie. I'd love to go back with my whole family and play some baseball next time, though. Bethany was pretty tired by now, so, I had to push her to pose for some photo opps.

Iowa Trip - Spirit of Dubuque

The girls and I drove to Iowa with my parents and my youngest sister for about a week earlier in July. My sister, Shannon, works at Camp Courageous in Monticello which is a camp for physically and mentally challenged children and adults. I never knew until I visited just how amazing this camp really is. They have multi-million dollar facilities for their campers and staff, and the camp is funded almost entirely by donations. Dorms, indoor swimming complex, mini-golf, canoeing, horseback riding, farm animals and other pets, crafts, outdoor adventure activities, a dance hall, and lots of other fun things. Shannon is their Respite/Volunteer Director. We visited Dubuque and took a Mississippi River tour on the Spirit of Dubuque, which is an old river boat. The girls enjoyed going to the back of the boat and watching the rotating old-fashioned propellers. (I can't think of the correct term for those things.) The river was, of course, very muddy because of all the recent flooding. I'll post some photos, and then add a couple more posts to catch you all up on what's been going on with us.

Fourth of July - Poe Family "Get-Together"

Last weekend was the time for reunions, I guess, because two different families that are related to mine came in from Michigan for the 4th - for reunions that were not for the Poe family. My Dad and his brothers and sister got together for dinner and visiting on Friday, and some of my cousins, too. It was a rare occurrence, so we really enjoyed the opportunity. In fact, there were 21 of us, though it would have been nice to have everyone there - which would include about 50+ more relatives all descending from my Grandma and Grandpa Poe, who have been gone since 1998 and 1976. Too many of my Dad's immediate family members left this life prematurely, including his oldest sister and her husband and three of their young children, an older brother and two of his sons, and a younger brother. I wish that we'd had more time with them, some of whom I never had the chance to meet. However, I'm blessed to know that families can be together forever. We have work to do!

(I'll be on a trip to Iowa for the next week, so I'll update after that.)

Daddy/Daughter Day!

I went to KMart to get one golf club for Bethany the other night....a real golf club, not the plastic set she's been carting off to the driving range. I get to the golf aisle, and I see this box with a picture of a pink and black golf bag, with pink and black golf clubs (4 of them), and a poofy cover for the driver. So, what do I do? Call Brad and say, "they've got this absolutely adorable set of golf clubs here that is perfect for Bethany, and it's pink, and it's a better price than getting one club at a time, and it'll fit her until she's 5 feet tall! Can I get it? It's got a sweet driver, 2 irons (5/6 and 9/w) and a cool looking putter. She can probably use this until 6th grade. What do you think?" He says, "How much?" I proceed to tell him about this bargain price, and he says "ok". So, I get her a brush to clean her clubs, because she gets upset if her sports equipment is dirty or muddy. ( You should have seen her reaction the first time her soccer ball went through a mud puddle.) And I get her practice balls, and a set of balls and tees, etc. We were so excited for her to see all this the next morning because she was going to go "real golfing" with Daddy and Grandpa Ralph. As we imagined, she was thrilled. I went to the course at around the time I thought they'd be finishing their 9 holes, hung out around hole nine with Mallory, and then they came riding up in the cart waving and said,"we did hole 9 before 8 because it was so busy over there." Aw, shucks! I missed any action shots, but insisted on a couple of cart shots and landscapes. Bethany told me she really liked the "miniature golf part", "you know, Mom, where it's flat and real green....where I'm not supposed to talk if Daddy is getting ready to swing." Heehee! Brad said that was the hardest part for her....not distracting the men when they were mid-swing. It was a day that will be remembered by Daddy and Daughter forever!

*Notice the view from this course. I think this is the thing I love most about being here....breathtaking views from just everyday places. You should see the view behind the strip mall where we go to the movies. I'll take my camera over there someday. I'll never take the beauty of the earth for granted again....it feels so therapeutic and relaxing to just look around and enjoy the old Appalachian Mountains.