Spring break this year took us off to South Carolina. We flew from Sacramento to Charlotte via Washington D.C. Michael saw us as far as Charlotte and then continued on to a job in New York for a few days.
We were greeted at the airport by Cee Cee and Choo Choo and whisked off to a tremendous sushi dinner. Of course, spoiling didn't stop there. The chocolate shop across the way sang her sweet siren song and lured us to the rocky shores of caramel apples and ice cream. I tell you, those kids were like ... well, kids in a candy shop!
Once we arrived at the Blue Sky Ranch, we were greeted by the dogs: Kelly, Gracie, Sky & Jake. Tails were wagging and paws were hopping as children shrieked and dogs barked with delight. We got the kids all settled in the Neverland Nursery (the guest room for the kids reminds me of the nursery in Peter Pan ... but they have four "Nannas").
The following day we had a southern style breakfast (although I confess to going for the homefries over the grits) and a visit to the tractor supply store. The kids each got some good old stomping boots for on the farm and we stopped to handle all the bunnies and baby chicks as well.
Because I am compulsive about food (I'm really working on this ...) I'd arranged to visit a farm to pick up raw milk, pastured eggs and meat. Of course, this farm is in Gaffney. Not being aware of the geography of South Carolina, we really spent an entire day getting out to the farm and back to do all our errands. Rex smartly declined the State tour and instead stayed with Choo Choo to muck out stalls and mow pasture. (Who can resist tractor rides and horse poop?)
Meanwhile, Cee Cee, the girls and I had a lovely drive through the back country of South Carolina. Lots of woods and fields and churches out in the middle of nowhere. Brickhouse Road farm is set in Gaffney, SC amongst the rolling hills, burbling brooks and thick woods. When we arrived, we were given a tour by the owners and their children. We loaded up on a golf cart to look at their heirloom red wattle pigs rooting in the woods. A five year old little boy on the cart with us takes a deep breath, inhaling the stench of the pigs, and turns to us with the most charming and deepest Southern drawl, "You smell that? That's the smell of money. That's what my daddy says." It was difficult not to laugh so hard I'd fall off the cart.
Our subsequent days were spent riding horses, fishing and gathering around a bonfire in the backyard at night complete with s'mores.
The kids found a certain fishing hole in Cousin Eddy's pond where all they had to do was put their hook in the water and the fish would jump on. Between the pond and the lake by Aunt Mary Lou and Bobby's house, I believe Valerie caught something like 28 fish and a turtle (in total). I even had the good fortune to catch Billy Bigmouth Bass.
One day on a nature hike with Rex and Valerie I heard a rustling in the leaves near the pond. I squatted down and said, "Hey, kids. Do you hear that? What do you think that is? Listen." Rex responds, "I think it's a snake." I argued back, "No. Snakes don't sound like that. They don't even have legs. How could they make all that rustling noise." I poked my face down closer to the leaves to have a good look. Suddenly, the biggest brown snake you've ever seen comes slithering right out and goes directly into the water right in front of me. This was followed by much shrieking (on my part) and pulling the kids away from the pond. Valerie insists I'm afraid of nature. I insist that staying clear of water moccasins is simply the right thing to do.
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