Let Freedom Ring

(This post has lots of pictures so you may want to give it a minute to load all the pictures before you start.)

We spent part of Fourth of July in the mountains and part of it at a lake.  Before you start thinking that we've won the lottery or something because of all these fabulous, fun vacations, let me explain.  We have friends from our single days in Houston who got married and moved to South Carolina.  They've had a lake house in their family for years (over 50 to be exact) and the family gets together every year for a huge party on the 4th.  Our friends also just built a cabin in the mountains and they wanted us and another family to give it a "test run".  So we happily obliged. 

Jones Gap State Park.  The water was a little chilly.  Fletcher got in, but Luke was happy to throw rocks in the water and watch them splash.

 Yep!  It was cold.

The Army Corp of Engineers would be proud.  Kevin rearranged rocks all day so that this stagnant, murky water would become part of the flowing stream again.  Have I mentioned that he has a hard time sitting still when we are on vacation?

 Lake Jocassee.  This is the same lake we went to last October.  The kids had a blast on the pontoon boat.

Steven and Robyn (our hosts) and Jerusha. 

 Warren (Jerusha's husband) brought Kevin a fly fishing rod.  He taught Kevin the basics.  Kevin, Warren and Stephen were all in a men's small group Bible study back in our single days at Second Baptist in Houston.

 Fletcher fished too.  He is the only one who caught something.

 Yes, that's Kevin at the top of those rocks.  Yes, he jumped. 

 This is Stephen and Robyn's cabin in the moutain.  It is very unique and the pictures just don't do it justice.  The lower level (which you can't see in this pic) has a bedroom, small living area, full bath and kitchenette (microwave, small fridge, sink) with washer/dryer.  It is airconditioned.  The upstairs has four huge glass garage doors that open up to reveal screens.  So it is like a giant screened in porch if the doors are up.  The upstairs has a full kitchen, half bath, living area, woodburning stove, and deck.  Steven wanted something very rustic, but they have two little girls (who will grow up to be teenaged girls) so Robyn said they needed the downstairs too so they wouldn't be "roughing it" too much. 

 Here the doors are up.  The views were amazing!  So amazing that I forgot to take pictures.  This place is up on the side of a mountain overlooking a state park gorge area.  I bet it is gorgeous in the fall when the leaves change.

 The kitchen with the extra long table.  We gave this kitchen a workout!  Thirteen people for three days and almost every meal. 

Another view of the living area and kitchen.  They did such a great job with the finishes and the fixtures.  See the rocking chairs near the back?  I spent lots of time there just enjoying the view.

 Warren has a little boy who is just a few months older than Luke.  They played well together.  Fletcher was surrounded by four (!) little girls ranging in age from 6 to 9.  He wasn't too sure about being the only boy with all those girls.  But he really had fun.   I'm sure in about 10 years he won't mind that at all!

 Buying the fireworks for the 4th. 

 Robyn and Steven's girls - Caroline and Ellie.  Look at Fletcher's smile. 

 Lakehouse!  Fletcher and the girls all went out on the big tube thingy on the ski boat.  Luke had no desire to do that. 

 The whole crew (minus me).  It is so fun to see Kevin, Warren and Stephen together again.  I know these guys were critical in Kevin's spiritual growth when he was in Houston.  I'm glad they have continued to keep in touch.  Warren and Jerusha get the award!  They drove all the way from Texas with three kids and a dog to come join us. 

 All the kiddos.