Monday, August 29, 2011

Heavenly High Hampton

Jake's family has been vacationing in a very special spot for many years and I'm so thankful that they have introduced our family to this wonderful place where our family has created a lot of fun memories.  Although Jake's family has been going for many years, our immediate family has gone for the past four years - every year of Anna's life plus a year.  Every time we've gone, I've told Jake that I wanted us to go for longer the next year and this was our year to do just that - we had a really wonderful 10 days at High Hampton Inn and Resort in Cashiers, NC.  You'll be able to tell from our pictures that we stayed busy and took advantage of much of what the resort and the area had to offer.

Jake and Meredith (in near canoe) and Carl and Regan
in far canoe paddling across Hampton Lake

Meredith getting the hang of the paddle with Jake

Meredith was *very* nervous about getting in the canoe but
we were so proud that she gave it a try after all.
The kids (our girls plus nephews Zach and Alex)
really love that our main mode of transportation
at High Hampton is by golf cart

Trekking back to the house after some big adventure

More golf cart adventures - our driveway was steep and on gravel
and sometimes we had to push the cart up the hill!

Looking for Ed and Fred - the miniature donkeys at High Hampton


Meredith at the top of the fun fort at the playground.  Jane (right) on the rope
bridge and Zach to the left on another rope bridge

Grandpa Carl with Regan, Zach and Alex

Alex climbing a tree

Regan dangling from a tree

Monkey Alex

Back to see Ed and Fred - this time they were there!

Little sister hugs

Jake's Aunt Marsha teaching Regan to crochet

Enjoying the porch swing at Jake's extended family's
vacation house (his grandparents, aunt, two uncles, cousin and
two of his cousin's kids made the vacation, too)

Working on crocheting

Jake's grandmother (Estelle aka "Mom")
helping Regan learn to crochet

The extended family on the screened porch enjoying
the cooler mountain temperatures

Heading down to the pond below our house to fish

On the dock fishing

Sisters enjoying the dock

Uncle Clete (aka the Fishing Guy) - he made the
fun fishing happen for the little ones

Zach caught one!

Meredith preferred hanging with Uncle Clete

The sun and clouds reflecting in the pond

The little fish that cousin Matthew caught

Regan cast her line a little too hard and fell off the dock!
She was a real trooper and came up laughing.

Anna hanging with Uncle Dan after her nap

Jane takes her fishing pretty seriously

And she isn't afraid of the worms either

Even Anna tried her hand at fishing

Big smile - Jane caught one, too!


Uncle Clete with his posse of kids after the fishing excursion


The kids' table

L to R: Susan, Dan, Laura, Anna, Estelle, Steve, Jake and W.E. (sitting)

Anna and Aunt Susan

Estelle, Clete and Marsha with W.E. sitting

A thumb and Grandaddy's lap are comforting

Gaga and Jane cuddle during s'mores time

Short hike to a waterfall

With my four beautiful girls

At the top of Sliding Rock - getting ready for an adventure!

Dan's not afraid!


The hiking crew on our way to the top of Chimney Top Mountain
(Carl, Dan and Susan in back, Regan, Zach and Alex)

Regan and Mom are ready to tackle Chimney Top!

Taking a little rest on the way up

Regan enjoying her progress

It takes some scrambling to get to the top!

We made it (but Regan won't get near the edge)


Lollipops and fabulous views for the kids who made it up!


Playing games in the High Hampton lobby


Enjoying the view from the rocking chairs

View from inn across Hampton Lake to Rock Mountain

Horseshoes!


Regan's 1st attempt to drive the golf cart.  She still needs a little
practice (after running into a bush!)

Golf time for Meredith

Anna wants to play, too

Jane lining up the ball

And whoosh!

Regan is practicing her swing, too


Jane with her artwork from painting class

Regan, too.

Playing the Ladder Game - a lot of fun!

Jane and Meredith (back row) took a wagon ride with Ed and Fred

In the wagon (Anna did *not* want to get in)

Shuffleboard time


Relaxing in the hammock

A new friend at the horse barn

Visiting the horses (but we forgot carrots this year)

Admiring the horses out to pasture

One of our last meals outside on our porch


S'mores!

Anna showing off her deconstructed s'more

Digging for gems!

Anna, too!

Look what I found!


Regan played 18-holes!  Lovely view with Grandpa
Carl on the golf course

Jane and Mere at kids' camp on the climbing stump


Back to Sliding Rock and they got me to go down this time
 (the water  was COLD!!!)

Jane and I heading down the slippery, cold, nature's water slide

Jane doing it again with Jake

Jane on her own (but I was a little slow
with the camera)

Jake jumping in "The Hole"


Fun at the playground



Jane - our little monkey






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