County Roads, Mountain Mama, West Virginia... Camp Tall Timbers
Wedding of our grandson,
Jason Gershowitz, USA to Karina Hilliard, UK
Irv and I were so excited about our first road trip sans RV to Camp Tall Timbers (CTT) in WV for Jason and Karina's weekend wedding event plus... seeing Matthew, Kristianne, Madeleine, Caleb and Owen in DC.
Being the compulsive-obsessive planner that you know and love, I'd been researching routes, motels, gas prices and rest stops, weather (your WV mountain camp is not the FL keys or Hotlanta, GA), warm clothes for night, cool clothes for days; camp clothes, semi-formal wedding clothes for the big day.
Of course, my most important and first concern is leaving Jack, the Cat who doesn't eat until we come home from being out all day. Daughter, Julie and Granddaughter, Kelly will visit, feed and spend quality time with Jack each day. Did I mention there is no cell phone or Internet service on this mountain so should he starve himself to death we can't be reached? So, one prays and turns Jack over to his Maker.
After spending Wednesday running out for last minute items like BUG SPRAY, FLASHLIGHTS AND EXTRA BATTERIES which was in bold and highlighted on Jason's last email of "must things" to bring and directions to the camp, we are ready to roll Thursday morning early (well, early for me).
After a quick stop for ice to keep our rest stop lunch and water cool, we hit the runway to enter the on ramp of I-75 North. If you've lived and/or traveled in Hotlanta, you know whereof I speak. Deciding that going the speed limit (70 mph) and making time plus cleaning out our carburetor, not to mention not getting run over by the cars going 90 mph, being the better part of valor... off we go.
God outdid Himself with a beautiful day and our rest stop lunch in TN was wonderful. On our last rest stop we had the opportunity to chat with a couple who were returning to their home in Lynchburg, VA. We had reservations for the night in Wytheville, VA so I asked how much longer we had to travel. The lady kindly informed me it was pronounced With-ville as in will you go "with" me. Learn something new every day. We were happy to be only an hour away. The Cracker Barrel was calling us.
Our stopover for the night was at a Budget Host Inn and a "Wow" experience. The owner could not have been nicer or more accommodating. After a sumptuous meal at Cracker Barrel and purchase of soft peppermint candy, we headed over to the Food Lion for a half gallon of ice cream. I got a cooler, OK!
Friday morning, the excitement mounts as Irv keeps me entertained with stories of years gone by camp experiences. After leaving I-81, US 50, VA ???, Hooks Mill Rd... we are finally on the dirt trail we travel for miles to the camp entrance... what a thrill to be greeted by grandsons Eric and Jason then son, Ben gave directions to the coordinator, daughter-in-law Faith who will show us where we'll reside over the weekend and our activity schedule.
Karina and Jason began the year-long task of planning the perfect CTT Weekend wedding down to the smallest details. One cannot imagine what it takes to transform a vacant summer camp into a wedding, wonderland as perfect as a professional movie set. Ben, Faith, Jason, Eric and Adam; Karina and her parents, Roy and Carole Hilliard, Maid of Honor Ellen joined CTT owners and staff to create a setting worthy of their love. so bear with'em if they look a little beat.
I was clueless as to what our sleeping accommodations would be. I envisioned walking a great distance in the middle of the night to the "outhouse" using my flashlight to ward off the critters. At the age of 8, having lived off the highway 5 miles down the dirt road in a house with no inside plumbing, I was experienced but look at our great cabin with porch, full bath with shower and closet in which to hang our "glad rags".
Wedding Party members including Irv and myself begin arriving Friday afternoon. Jason and Karina chartered a bus to bring international guests to CTT from Dulles Airport in DC . We eagerly await the bus' arrival at 2:30pm so now all we have to do is unpack, put our chairs on the porch and relax until the bus pulls in for a meet and greet after which we head down the hill for the wedding rehearsal at 4pm.
And so... it was the morning and the afternoon of the first day of joy at our firstborn grandson's wedding. After the wedding rehearsal is a catered dinner and Cabaret organized by the Maid of Honor, Ellen (UK) and the Best Men, brothers Adam and Eric. Stay tuned for more beautiful pics and accounts of delicious food, parties, sweat, snakes and such.
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