Apple Cider and Crayfish

We had a great time visiting Grammy and PopPop over the past weekend. The drive was long as for it seemed everyone from Maryland was coming to visit; at least that is what Hannah and Daniel thought.

Saturday was started with fishing at the falls. We brought our fat worms, PopPop had his wiggly worms and the still no bites. The trout were not hungry. Dad and Jonathan were the last to reel their lines in. Jonathan had to be carried away:)

Saturday we visited Abby & Jarrod and family and pressed fresh cider. The neighbor on the right provided the antique cider press, the neighbor on the left provided the apples and we were sandwiched some where in-between. The sweet cider was a welcome treat to the cool crisp day. The sun came out, coats were shed and the children romped around the property eating apples and popcorn. marty & Jeannie and family came in from Philly and Dad's family all came together for Dinner.

Grammy and Pop live along side a creek and it is a magical place to visit. It is tradition to walk to the covered bridge and drop stones and sticks down a peep hole in the floor and listen to their plop into the water. The children could have done this all day.

Much of the property along the creek is undeveloped. Sunday morning ended with a walk along the banks. We found lots of treasures under the stones on this crisp morning including crayfish and lizards beginning to burrow into the warm mud. The banks of the creek are loaded with fragments of shale rock which makes great skipping stones. Daddy and PopPop are masters at skipping stones and the children are following in their footsteps.

Daniel found several stones that looked like sharks teeth which went in his pocket and now lie in his collection of sharks teeth on his table. We usually bring home a couple pieces of Quarts stones from the creek to place around the house or in our garden. Well, the one that Hannah picked out was probably 100 pounds and stayed in the creek until a warmer visit. No quartz this trip.

The children love gourds and searched among the vines of Grammy and PopPops garden to find plenty. When we move to our farm Hannah has made it clear that she wants a gourd garden! Hannah and Grammy walked to the neighbors farm stand and came back with a Martin gourd. Hannah named the gourd Martin and it is now one of her special babies which she takes everywhere. He is quite heavy and bumpy to sleep with :) We were told they are called Martin gourds because when they dry you may make a whole in it, clean out the seeds and use it as a Martin house.

The day was ended with lunch and an easy drive back to Maryland. Thanks everyone for a great visit!