So for 4th of July weekend this year I was invited up to North Carolina to spend time with Lindsay and her family. Her Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, brother Kevin, Kevin’s GF Tina, Cousins Eric and his wife Toni and Scott and his wife…something. The trip originated in Gainesville where we headed up to Brunswick, GA to pick up Kevin and Tina. This was to be Tina’s first experience with the family so we were all excited to meet her. We experienced quite a bit of rain throughout the trip and actually hit a little hyrdoplane action between Brunswick and Atlanta. Highlights of the trip up included discovering there is apparently a 300 mile stretch through South Caroline where Taco Bell doesn’t exist and then have to take some crazy backroad detours due to highway closures that took us offroading into the wilderness practically. We eventually made it to NC around 2AM and it was time to sleep…which was to be my theme for the week.

The first day there, I was still suffering from sleep deprivation and a tweaked back and really didn’t do anything but eat and sleep…big surprise to those of you who know me. The cabin was located in the mountains and was quite comfy. Outside it was in the low 70′s and beautiful and a nearby stream provided a constant and relaxing background noise. Others chose to go hike but my one excursion was to the lake at night to look at the stars which were beautiful.

Saturday saw us “head down the mountain” into the town of Brevard, North Carolina for their 4th of July Celebration. Brevard is one of those little towns full of Antique and Artist shops that seem to be a staple of small town America. There was a car show that I was very impressed by…a great sample of cars with the vast majority being American made from the 50′s-70′s although there were a few earlier models. Maybe 80-100 cars total? While I looked at cars and nursed may back the wimmenz shopped for junk I mean incredibly valuable antiques that only looked like junk!

Sunday I was feeling better and everyone went to a local State Park where apparently they had filmed some of the waterfall scenes for Last of the Mohicans. As previously stated, I am not an outdoors person but I LOVED climbing around the waterfalls, up ledges, etc. This was the highlight of the trip for me and I could have spent several days just exploring the falls and climbing all over the place! That evening we had smores around a campfire where I displayed my self-proclaimed smore making skills. We then went out to the lake again to look at stars and had fun looking at constellation overlays with iPhone and Droid Apps.

The next day, we began the trip home. Lindsay was staying for another week but Kevin, Tina, and I headed back. I slept pretty much the entire way until we reached Brunswick and then I drove home to the ‘ville. While I felt bad for sleeping 70% of the time I was in NC and not being social my body needed it. I felt about 110% better when I returned home.

Good trip, good times, good people…it doesn’t get much better!