Summer Family Fun
Saturday, June 15th, 2024, was a milestone moment for our tribe, our clan, our blended family of six kiddos; a date that marks the first time we were all together at Poor Valley Creek Vineyard.
The weekend was a flurry of activity with our kids, their partners, and a few additional family members and friends. It was a beautiful way to kick off summer, just a few days before the summer solstice, enjoying nature and each other’s company in the land of life. I believe I speak for everyone when I say we made memories that will last forever!
The kids set up their little tent city in our front field. Dave’s best friend, Ray Flaugh, and his family set up camp in their RV. Dave and I slept in the house on our trusty air mattress, and the rest of the guests opted to sleep at a hotel in town.
With temperatures reaching the 70s by 7 AM, everyone was up early each morning; it was impossible to sleep in once the tents started feeling more like ovens! Fortunately, the evenings dipped into the low 60s, so nighttime wasn’t terribly uncomfortable.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were prepared on the Blackstone, the grill, or over the wood fire pit; everyone pitched in, and we had plenty of side dishes, snacks, and drinks.
We invested $100 in a used refrigerator which came in clutch as a far better method than just coolers and ice to keep all the food cold.
We also rented a port-a-pot and set up a portable outdoor shower and shower pump to make the camping experience a bit more comfortable for all.
Saturday afternoon, we held a fun scavenger hunt for the kids; it was quite the scene watching each team return with all of their finds. Prizes were given out to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams and shots of moonshine to the losers.
There was a fair amount of work completed over the long weekend amidst all the fun activities. Dave and Taylor installed roof vents, hung drywall, and finished the front porch railing. Ray and Austin ran the cable through the front porch railing. John, Billy, Noah, and Brian helped to dig and pour footers for the run-in we are adding to the barn and for the foundation of the chicken coop.
Minus a few injuries, the kids had a blast riding 4-wheelers and exploring the property, hanging out at the house, walking the creek, playing Cornhole, UNO, Exploding Kittens (not literally, it’s a card game), puzzles, evening cruises/tailgating up the hill to watch the sunset, catching fireflies at night (you’re never too old for this), and a few of us even went for an afternoon swim on Sunday at Rogersville Community Pool.
Needless to say, everyone is already excited for a return trip!
One by one, goodbyes were said; by late Wednesday, it was just Dave, me, and Zeus, watching the sunset, having a nightcap under a blanket of stars, and then heading to bed while a chorus of crickets and calls from the whippoorwills sang us to sleep.
Thursday, after a run to Home Depot, I finished my faux stained glass windows for the chicken coop while Dave continued to work on several of the unfinished projects: electrical switches/lighting; drywall; shower bases, and floors. After dinner, we took a ride on the 4-wheeler to watch the sunset, then we lit a fire, welcoming the summer solstice, and watching the full Strawberry moon rise while Zeus hunted for wildlife in the tall grass nearby.
Our Friday projects consisted of laying block for the chicken coop foundation; installing a pressure tank for the well; hooking the water line up to the house, and pressure testing the water lines inside the home. We treated ourselves to dinner in town and, feeling exhausted, we headed straight to bed afterward.
Saturday morning, we cleaned up the house, parked the 4-wheelers and skid steer in the barn, loaded the trailer, and were on the road toward home by 10:45 AM.
It was a week of chaos! A lot of play, a few injuries, loads of laughter, yummy food, great company and conversation, very little sleep, a fair amount of work, and priceless memories! Our hearts are full!
Little Town Italian is the restaurant we had dinner at on Friday night. It is located in downtown Rogersville, right next to the Hollywood Hillbilly.
Its a family-owned business with authentic Italian dishes, homemade pasta, and gravy made by Chef Antonio, who was born in Mola di Bari, Italy.
The food and wine did not disappoint! We were too full to attempt dessert…so we’ll have to return another time.
