The Frenchman has landed

Whomever was paying attention to our adventures in New Zealand may be a bit disappointed in the fact that I have not posted anything in about 6 months, and I can only say I am embarrassed. My sincerest apologies. I guess I have been distracted by just about everything, or just completely lazy.

Anyway, I guess I have been taking things for granted over the past few months, not believing that anything could top our year in New Zealand, but as I look at where we are and where we are headed, I am encouraged to realize that we have many more things to see and experience.

So here is kicking off a bit of dust on the blog. Here's the new chapters...perhaps all out of order...

Laurent, our crazy French friend that we met in NZ came to visit us in Richmond Va. We decided to be tourist n our own town, and also find out how much colder the mountains are than in the tidewater area around Richmond in December.

We decided to go for a hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains a short drive from Richmond. Although it was a beautiful sunny day with hardly a cloud in the sky, the temperature topped out at around 37 degrees F in the sun, and much mush colder in the shade and wind. We made a bold move to take a short hike to Turk Gap along the AT.

Despite the frigid temperatures, the hike was great, and gave all of us a hanker'n for more strolls thought the mountains. The summit was breathtaking

Here is a picture of all three of us. It took a bit of magic to secure a place for the camera without it being blown over by the wind. Not the greatest picture, but a great memory...

We sad on the sunny side of the mountain, had some lunch, and stared onto the valley. It was great.

Besides that, we took Laurent to the historic Byrd theater to see the classic organ player rise from beneath the floor, and saw the feature film that followed the concert. "Burn After Reading" happened to be on at the time, and it was hysterical. We also ate some great food at the local Richmond restaurants, and caught up on stories over a few beers. Can't wait to do it again.

Anyway, start looking for new posts again. Who knows what sort of adventure is next....