Broken bikes, shooting guns and flowers…

We left OBX on a Friday and made our way to a Cracker Barrel near Greensboro, NC.  I wish I could tell you it was an uneventful trip.  We were on Rt 40 and I was leading in the car as usual, radio up listening to “I’m so Happy”, when Bill asked me (on the walkie talkie) to get behind him to see if all was ok.  Next I knew he was saying “Nevermind – I’m pulling over”.  So I got onto the shoulder and he pulled up behind me.   Seems people were waving him over b/c our bike rack failed and our bikes were dragging on the ground!  NOT COOL AT ALL!

I was NOT happy seeing this!
I was NOT happy seeing this!
OUCH!
OUCH!

So, there we were on the side of a busy interstate getting the now broken bikes and bike rack off the back of the 5er and cramming them into the car. The cats had to be rearranged so we could put half my back seat down so they would fit.  Cars and trucks were whizzing by at 70mph.  We were NOT having any fun!

Shortly after we pulled into the Cracker Barrel where we would be having dinner and spending the night, along with Cori & Greg, Tracy & Lee (who were boondocking for the first time) and Jo & Craig.  We took up a good amount of their back parking lot, but Doug – the manager on duty – said his Cracker Barrel LOVES it when RVers come visit.   We enjoyed our dinner and then watched a bit of TV before getting some sleep.

Tracy in front of Jo and Craig's rig
Tracy in front of Jo and Craig’s rig
Tracy and Lee's rig
Tracy and Lee’s rig
Cori and Gregs rig and ours
Cori and Gregs rig and ours

The next morning we got up and headed in for some breakfast.  Cracker Barrel does serve up an awesome breakfast!  It wasn’t long before we were pulling out and making our way to Ebenezer Park in Rock Hill, SC.  I had decided to drive, since it was going to be a short day.  I must say – I did pretty well!  There was some traffic, a small construction zone and the road getting into the park was windy and narrow, but we arrived safely!

Getting breakfast - L to R - Craig, Jo, Cori, Lee, Greg, Tracy, Me and Bill
Getting breakfast – L to R – Craig, Jo, Cori, Lee, Greg, Tracy, Me and Bill

Our time at Ebenezer Park was quiet and a good chance to catch up on my blog and some laundry.  It is a county park and very nice.  It is set right on a lake that is popular with boaters. Very pretty!

All set up!
All set up!

There was a short trail that connected 2 loops that was completed by a Boy Scout for his Eagle Project.  For those who do not know, my son, Bill, is an Eagle Scout.  The rank of Eagle is the highest a Boy Scout can earn.  It must be completed before their 18th birthday, and is a really big deal.  The young man must organize and complete a project in order to earn his Eagle Scout award, among other things, such as completing a lot of merit badges, and holding different positions in the troop, like Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.

it is nice they allowed the trail to be marked so people can see it was an Eagle Scout Project.
it is nice they allowed the trail to be marked so people can see it was an Eagle Scout Project.

Bill helped Greg with some solar installs during the week – one of the rigs was a gorgeous Class A – while we don’t know the exact number – they are in the $500,000 range!

One day we all decided we wanted to shoot guns, so after breakfast at Anna J’s we went to Sportsman Inc in Rock Hill.  Bill and I each choose a gun and got our ear protection, safety glasses, a target (I got a zombie!) and ammunition and they assigned us a lane near everyone else.

Greg - he was GOOD!
Greg – he was GOOD!
Hubby - killing a zombie!
Hubby – killing a zombie!
Lee - he was also very good!
Lee – he was also very good!

I was not as impressed with shooting guns as some of the others.  Bill and I have had numerous conversations about the pros and cons about getting a gun. Bill thinks it wouldn’t be a bad idea for when we head out west and boondock by ourselves.  The whole idea of it makes me nervous, not b/c I don’t think I could defend myself and/or Bill if I had to, but I would be afraid of an accident happening.  You’ve all read or heard about accidental shootings.  I don’t know – it’s just a scary prospect that’s all – a HUGE responsibility.

I didn't do too bad - considering I've never really shot before
I didn’t do too bad – considering I’ve never really shot before

Later that afternoon we decided to go see a public garden that Cori found online.  It was beautiful and peaceful – right in the middle of Rock Hill.  I took a bunch of pictures – here are just a few:

Beautiful Japanese Maple!
Beautiful Japanese Maple!
Iris
Iris
playing children
playing children
ducks resting under a tree
ducks resting under a tree
beautiful rose!
beautiful rose!
day lily
day lily

This next shot is my Black & White Photo Challenge pic:

fountain
fountain

This week I nominate my friend, Sue Alexander, to the Bloggers Black & White Challenge.  Go get them Sue!

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