The Rinehart-Mello Reception

Saturday evening arrived and it was finally time for the wedding. While I didn't take pictures during the ceremony, I can assure you it was a beautiful and elegant affair. Catherine and Jake were married in Westminster Presbyterian Church, which is the church they attended while at UVA and the church her parents were married in some ah...well, years ago (also while attending UVA).

The wedding reception was a sit down dinner for 165 guests at the Veritas Vineyard and Winery in Afton, VA. My cousin Vicky and her husband Steve really know how to throw a party! We were awe struck by the views of mountains and vineyards from the veranda and equally impressed by the dinner spread, which was a blend of traditional American and Greek delights (thanks, in part, to the bride's Yia-Yia, aka my dear Aunt Itsa). With the help of a great band, the Smith sisters spent hours with our family, dancing (at least Carol was dancing), laughing and telling stories. It was indeed a celebration of love and happiness and there was no place I would have rather been.

Pictures from the reception:

Mike and Leslie on the veranda

Ah, the view!

Sisters or movie stars??!

Uncle Joe and Shirley

Thomas and his father, my cousin Eric (the next generation Whitesells are lookin' fine!)

These two are still newly weds, 1.5 years for Leslie and Mike

The father and mother of the bride (aka cousins Steve and Vicky) and sister, Carol

Seating for 165!

Thomas and Aunt Itsa showing off some very fancy footwork

Cousin Lynn and her husband Jerry

Dancing Whitesells...from left, Alex (Lynn's son), Lynn and Eric (lawyer by day, dancer at night) and Thomas.

Finally, the beautiful bride, Catherine and her handsome Prince Charming, Jake, who only had eyes for each other. Congratulations and hope you had a great time in St. Martins!

Exploring the University of VA

After a decent night's sleep at the English Inn in Charlottesville, Leslie, Mike and I headed out to explore the University of VA. UVA has played a significant roll in our family's education. Not only did my parents meet, date and marry while attending UVA, but a number of my family members have received degrees from here too.

Walking around the campus was an incredible experience. One immediately feels the respect and dignity that only a school so steeped in our country's heritage can command. Thomas Jefferson's original design of the Rotunda and Pavilions enforced his concept that shared learning should infuse daily life. At UVA, the importance of education stands above everything else.

Mike in front of the house he rented while doing his internship and residency at the University of VA Medical Center. He said the house had changed very little.

Framing the famous Lawn, behind the Rotunda, are the Pavilions. The Pavilions were initially built to house students and faculty on the top floor and classrooms on the bottom floor. The Pavilions now house distinguished faculty and the top students in the various University departments. Edgar Allen Poe once lived in the second floor apartments on the far right of the picture.

The Rotunda is the most recognizable symbol of UVA. This building was designed by Thomas Jefferson to be the heart of his academic community and is a scaled back model of the Pantheon in Rome. Built between 1822-1826, it served as the University's library for years.

"The Lawn" looking south at Old Cabell Hall, which houses part of the School of Music (the Rotunda is on the north side of The Lawn). "The Lawn" not only serves as the grounds for graduation, but it is a fine place to play outside on a summer afternoon.

Me in front of Cabell Hall. Not sure whose toe I am grasping but, unlike the rest of the statue, the toe is gold from many hands touching and polishing the surface.

The University amphitheater is on the east side of The Lawn. Until the University grew too large, this was the sight of graduation festivities. As a matter of fact, as a young man, my father stood on the stage of the amphitheater to receive his PhD. A nice piece of history for me!

This is the street side of the Rotunda...very stately.


Known as "The Corner", this area has been a University student-faculty gathering place since the late 1800's. Lots of shops for window shopping and restaurants for refreshing drinks on a very hot July morning.

Mother put in long hours at this UVA hospital while attending the UVA School of Nursing. This building was built in the 1930's but another, very modern hospital has been built across the street.

Back to the Past

By all indications my car problem was fixed and I was finally on my way to a family wedding. With all day to explore before time to meet Leslie and Mike in Charlottesville for dinner, I had a couple of stops on my list.

First stop was Natural Bridge. I have been aware of Natural Bridge most of my life but until today, it was just a picture postcard and an exit on the interstate. This is the place where my parents honeymooned some 62 years ago this month and, if I remember the story, they traveled here from Staunton by bus because neither owned a car.

Natural Bridge is an impressive sight. Experts believe it dates back to the Mesozoic Era (some 100 million years ago) when the James River was defined and the erosion of the entire Appalachian Valley began. Called "The Bridge of God" by the Monocan Indians, the bridge has quite a history in recent times too. Once property of the English crown, it was deeded to Thomas Jefferson on July 5, 1774 and surveyed by George Washington, who carved his initials under the bridge and left his surveyors cross.

Natural Bridge-215.5' height, 49' wide at it's widest point

A meandering, flat path travels beside Cedar Creek (left of the trail) to Lace Waterfalls

Lace Waterfalls where Cedar Creek sprays down the rocks from a distance of 50', covering the travertine boulders with its snowy spray...or so the sign says anyway. On this day the waterfall was slight based on the recent drought.

A final look at Natural Bridge

With my curiosity about Natural Bridge satisfied, I turned my car toward Staunton, VA. Staunton is where my mother was born and raised. Driving into the area, my mind flooded with memories of the summers my sisters and I spent at our grandparents' farm just outside Staunton (Mint Springs). Horse shoes hanging upside down on fence posts, a summer's bountiful garden, country ham and biscuits, rain on the tin roof, baby pigs, baby lambs, stealing eggs from the chicken coop, the spring house, peaking in the window of the old slave house, playing with our cousins, the dairy barn, exploring acres of fields and enjoying being city kids discovering the country. These and many more treasured memories from a working farm and old house that have been part of the Virginia landscape since before the Civil War.

With so many things to do on the farm and very busy grandparents, we went into town only a few times over the years. I never really knew much about Staunton but have recently heard that the town has preserved it's heritage and is a growing tourist destination. I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the buildings in Staunton have been preserved.

A little history on a very interesting town. Staunton was laid out and name for Lady Rebecca Staunton Gooch (wife of VA's Governor Gooch) in 1747. Staunton is the home to Western State Hospital (Lunatic Asylum) founded in 1825(some of the old buildings still stand), VA Institute for the Deaf and Blind (est 1839), Augusta Female Seminary (est. 1842)-now Mary Baldwin College, home of President Woodrow Wilson (born 1856) and more recently, the Shenandoah Shakespeare's Blackfriars Playhouse, built as a replica of the Globe Theater and internationally known. In 1971, after 32 historic buildings were demolished for "progress" The Historic Staunton Foundation was formed to promoted preservation over demolition. Not only was this group ahead of its time but they have been very successful in their efforts.

Below are a few pictures. Additional pictures will be posted on Smugmug shortly.

Trinity Episcopal Church

The first Augusta Parish Church was built on this site in 1763. This structure dates back to 1855 and has 12 Tiffany Studio windows. The entire yard is a cemetery and most monuments date back to the 1700-1800's. The monuments are decorative and unique, unlike today's trend of sameness.

This is my street...Beverley Street

The land Staunton was built on originally belonged to William Beverley. Most buildings in this area date back to 1870-1920 and are considered one of VA's finest collection of Victorian era architecture. The entire area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Beverley Historic District (1981). Note the clock tower on the left, it marks the center of town.

Admissions office for Mary Baldwin College. All of the building attached to the college are yellow with white trim and black shutters.


Staunton is built on a series of hills. This is the roof line from the lawn of Mary Baldwin College

Woodrow Wilson Birthplace. This house was built in 1846 by the First Presbyterian Church as the minister's home. Woodrow Wilson was born here in 1856.

This group of warehouses is part of The Wharf District

The warehouses were built at the turn of the century across the road from the train depot. This use to be the main area of commerce supplying everything from produce to carts and harnesses to the town. My mother's family along with other area farm families use to bring cakes, pies, vegetables and eggs to the market to sell to the 'city folk'. This area is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

The backside of The Wharf District, now restaurants and offices.

A Vacation Save by Russell's Garage

This is not what I expected to be doing one hour into my 3 day weekend but here I was, in Hillsville, VA, riding in the cab of a big, red tow truck looking at my car in the rear view mirror.

My problems actually began an hour earlier in the parking lot of the Hampton Inn in Mt. Airy, NC. I was a half hour behind schedule getting the car loaded and in a little bit of a hurry to get on the road. I had the phone in one hand (good morning John) and my key in the other. A quick turn of the key and all I heard was silence, no engine turnover, no click, click, click, nothing!

Uh oh! I looked around on the dash and was a little puzzled to discover that I had left the parking lights on. I never use the parking lights. Back to the lobby. A battery jump from the maintenance guy and I am off on vacation.

First stop, Hillsville, VA. A short 25 minute drive from the hotel, I figured this would be a great spot for gas and breakfast and to be sure my battery had fully charged. It came as a little surprise that it hadn't!

A call by the gas station attendant to the local garage and my car is strapped in, I am in the tow truck cab headed out of town, going who knows where. We drove through Hillsville (much smaller than Mt. Airy) and eventually turned into a large and very busy garage. It appeared that my car was in good hands.

Tom, my mechanic , pulled out a couple of testers and touched a bunch of surfaces under the hood. A few moments later he pronounced the battery dead and pulled it out. The battery was oh so nasty...looks like the Infiniti boys missed this one. A new battery, a swipe of my credit card and I am ready to go.

Thanks guys at Russell's Garage for saving my vacation!!

Preparing for Colorado

Last night Will hosted the dinner and meeting to discuss our upcoming Colorado backpack. Flights and hotels have been secured and most of the other trip details are complete. We are really looking forward to the trip!

A few (very few) pictures from our dinner:

Bill and Silke making bruschetta, Kim chatting

An incredible light summer dinner-gaspacho, bruschetta, tomatoes, several light salads, corn on the cob, watermelon and wine all around

Dinner outside on Will's deck. At the back table-Will, Kim, Duane (waving) and Ron. Silke and Bill at the small table. Out of the picture, but part of the trip are John F, Barbara, John and me

18x Zoom, Zoom, Zoom

Several months ago I dropped my camera. While the camera itself still worked, the latch on the battery compartment broke and duck tape was not holding the thing together. I limped along like this for a while and finally broke down and borrowed Daddy's camera till I decided what to do about mine.

After reading a number of reviews, I decided to purchase the updated version of my old camera. On Sunday I placed an order with B & H Photo and the camera arrived yesterday. WOW! The new model has 7.1 mega pixels, manual set ISO to 5000, a wide angle AND 18x zoom lens. Now if I can just figure out how to work the darn thing.

Below is the first picture taken with the camera, the vase is on a table in my living room, the hosta is in a garden near the street. John said I am "trying to be artsy again." Yeah, maybe, but this isn't a very good example of "artsy".

"You have very good bones...."

"...your fracture is healing faster than normal." Just the words a woman of my...ah...age, wants to hear from the doctor at a post fracture exam. He went on to explain that there is good pain (stretching) and bad pain (reaching above the shoulder). "Avoid the bad pain." As if he thinks I can move my arm more than 6" inches in any one direction. Physical therapy starts on Monday and I image the good pain will feel bad.

In the meantime, I am slowly increasing my range of motion and the fading bruises are taking on the appearance of a bad tattoo. I look forward to being healed sufficiently for our upcoming backpack in the Maroon Bells Wilderness.

Happy Birthday Carol

Although Carol's birthday is still two days away, we had an "unofficial" luncheon at Stir Fry Cafe today. This is the last in our summer series of family celebrations although Daddy, Leslie and Mother will take Carol out for lunch for the official celebration on Tuesday.

A full booth-from left, John, me, Carol, Mike, Leslie and Daddy

Saturday Morning Farmers Market

The house smells like rosemary and garlic. M-m-m-m! John and I went to the downtown farmers market this morning and brought home bags filled with corn, heirloom tomatoes, multi-colored eggs (blue, brown and beige from a free range farm in Ten Mile, TN), zucchini, cucumbers, chard, locally grown garlic and a nice rosemary plant. With a pan of fresh baked focaccia bread, we will have a fine dinner tonight.

We enjoy our occasional trips to this market. After our first experience 2 years ago, we had our doubts about its longevity but the city persevered, crowds are larger and we noticed the beginnings of a new row of tents. Also contributing to the market's growth must be the increased number of participating area organic farmers and the improving quality of craft offerings. One of my favorites... a couple who produces beautiful lampwork jewelry. Maybe a couple of booths offering UT merchandise will be added soon.....just kidding.

This morning, along with shopping, we stopped in Trio's to have a light breakfast of fruit and muffin tops under their outdoor canopy and to people watch. John chatted with several people he knew from the University and a few people from his neighborhood. All in all, a very nice morning.

A few pictures from the market below:

The Joys of a Fractured Arm....There Really Are Some!

While having a broken (fractured) arm has it's limitations, there are a few joys associated with such. One is the abundant attention by family, the phone calls, the offers of help and the drop bys (although these have become less frequent as the week winds down, the excitement wears off and the sling is mostly discarded). Fun and entertaining are the tales of of broken and otherwise damaged extremities told by friends and family. I am hearing the good, the bad and the down right ugly and for the first time, I can relate! And lastly, the "Get Well" cards and notes that pop out of my mailbox. If you have participated in any way with one of these things, thank you. You have brightened my day and I think you are incredible!

Speaking of the bad and ugly...I thought I would share a picture of "the arm", swollen and bruised but looking better

A Week in Review

Okay...a week of limited activity behind me and it hasn't been too bad. Some previously unplanned activities turned out to be standouts. John and I enjoyed a 4th of July dinner for two on the deck at a table with a linen tablecloth and a nice bouquet of flowers freshly cut from the yard. We don't do this enough. Friday for lunch, Daddy, Leslie and I sampled some Asian delights (some familiar, some not) at the local Korean restaurant and Saturday I had lunch with Daddy again, this time at McAlister's Deli. The humidity was relatively low so we grabbed an outside table to enjoy the weather and each other's company. This opportunity, of course, comes with a view of the parking lot and exhaust fumes but hey, it is as close to a European sidewalk cafe as Knoxville gets.

Finally, John and I picked up last Friday's missed dinner with Will and Kim and headed to our neighborhood Mexican restaurant for some great food and conversation...a Saturday night double date. Now if I could just go out for a jog and work some of this food off!!

Achy, Breaky Arm

This hasn't been a particularly good week. Last Friday morning while jogging in Mt. Airy, something caught my eye and in the moment's distraction, my shoe caught something on the sidewalk. Seconds later I found myself sprawled across someones yard in a lot of pain. I lay there a few moments, not ready to deal with the consequences of the fall but immediately aware that I faced at least temporary changes to my summer plans.

When I finally separated myself from the grass and concrete and had a chance to move body parts, I discovered that my head missed the impact, my fingers, wrist and elbow worked but my shoulder must have taken a direct hit on the curb surrounding the lawn. Oh ouch!

Slowly I stumbled the last half mile back to the apartment, arm held close to my side. A shower and getting ready for work was painful and I had to take frequent breaks to lie down till the pain relented. Two hours later I finally arrived at work and struggled to complete my morning duties. I briefly entertained the thought of staying overnight in Mt. Airy but I didn't want to risk spending the weekend, especially after John surfaced the topic of a possible fracture or a torn rotator cuff. Just before noon, I slipped out of the office and headed home.

The 3.5 -4.0 hour drive to Knoxville stretched out over 5 hours. My left arm wasn't movable so I had to stop to eat, drink and call John to let him know I was okay. We had already cancelled our planned dinner with Will and Kim so once home, John drove me immediately to the critical care clinic where a couple of unpleasant x-rays helped determine that I suffered from an impacted fracture near the shoulder. An appointment with an orthopedic doctor on Monday confirmed the diagnosis and provided the welcome news that surgery would not be required.

Everything has been an effort this week. I had previously scheduled vacation at the end of the week and have used the time to read, sleep, make pesto and visit with family....a different use of the time that John and I had planned to backpack to Gregory's Bald and do some other day hiking. My to do list continues to grow, but I have five more weeks till the healing is complete. The pain regresses a little each day and I continue with my arm exercises to keep the joints flexible. Hurry up August and freedom from this constraint.

Another Brutal Travel Story

Tuesday I packed an overnight bag and headed to Bentonville for a late afternoon meeting. Preparation for the meeting had been lengthy but we were ready and the meeting went well. Based on the late hour of the meeting and the limited evening flight schedule out of NW Arkansas Regional Airport, I spent a short night at the new Hilton Hotel in Bentonville.

Wednesday morning arrived too early and I was on my way to the airport by 6:00 am. My flights into NW Regional on Tuesday had been pleasant and on time. I had brief thoughts that my ongoing travel troubles were over but I was not really surprised when my Delta flight was canceled about 25 minutes before we were due to board. Bad news, the flight was grounded for the day and the next available Delta flight was scheduled to depart for Charlotte, NC at 12:30 pm.

Much time was spent standing in the ticket line, an effort that resulted in a 10:00 am United flight to Chicago connecting with a 1:30 pm American flight to Knoxville. Not an ideal schedule for sure, but at least I would get home by late afternoon. I am happy to report the flights went off as scheduled and I finally arrived in Knoxville about 4:00 pm. It had been a long day.

My luggage was not so lucky. You guessed it, I was lazy and checked my bag along with a duffel filled with one of a kind samples that my boss brought to the meeting. The baggage carousel coughed up my personal bag fairly quickly but the duffel did not appear. So who was responsible for the lost the bag....Delta, United or American? An hour lost here going from airline to airline trying to track down who last had the luggage. American never had it, United thought they did but didn't and Delta thought they didn't but did. The luggage madness went on for several days, including numerous dead end phone calls. Finally Delta called this afternoon with good news, sorta. The luggage was in Savannah, ticketed with the name of a Mr. Gunnali.

Delta patted themselves on the back for finding the real owner and put the bag on a US Airways flight to Knoxville. I will spare you additional mundane details except to say that Delta did not follow through with instructions to US Air (who was suppose to do the hand off to American). Hours and phone calls later, the bag finally connected with me.

Happy Father's Day

Today is the day that everything else is put on hold so we can celebrate our wonderful dad!

Flowers for the table

A small bouquet of flowers from the store filled in with flowers de jour from the yard. Blooming today are geraniums, yellow and orange day lilies and multi colored lantana. A couple of large oak leaf hydrandra leaves and English laurel provide a nice green backdrop.

Yum! Chocolate cake with fudge icing!

Lots of cards and gifts for the world's greatest dad!

Daddy, Carol and Leslie looking at the latest day lilies in bloom. In the foreground is a spider lily from Oakes Day Lily Gardens. It is one of several that Daddy and I purchased on our visit some 12 years ago and is one of my favoites!

Happy Father's Day Daddy...love you always and forever!

Low Gap "Do Over"

Good hike to Low Gap yesterday. Our packs were about the same weight as last week (me-25 lbs, John-40 lbs) and we arrived at the gap within the expected time with two short stops for water and no whining!! While the weather in the parking lot was hot, overcast and very humid, we were in the clouds at the gap with low visability and a chilly, gusty wind.

Looking into the clouds

John on the trail, the gap is just behind him

A Little Hill Workout

Saturday, John and I left the house early for a day hike on the Low Gap Trail in the Cosby area of the Great Smoky Mountains. By all accounts we (I) have some serious work to do to get in shape for our August hike in the Maroon Bells Wilderness (Colorado) where we will be scrambling about at elevations around 10,000'-12,600' for a week.

We last hiked the Low Gap Trail in April (see post), when the temperature was cool and lightweight daypacks were slung on our backs. While short in length (2.9-miles to the AT), this little trail packs a lot of elevation gain (just north of 1,800') and is uphill all the way. Sometime during our April hike, John determined that the Low Gap Trail would be the perfect conditioning hike to help get us over three high elevation passes in Colorado. Little did I realize that he had inked it in on our weekend exercise schedule and had plans for us to hike the trail till I can comfortably (aka without whining) carry a 50 pound pack up and down at least once.

So yesterday the "conditioning" began in earnest. While John's pack was almost at full weight, I decided to ease into things, loading my pack with 25 pounds. The sky was overcast, shielding us from intense sun but the humidity was a beast. Not too bad hiking on the lower part of the trail but oh, as we climbed higher... I think I did pretty good for the most part but John tells me the whine factor was off the charts for the last .5-mile. Hmmm, I don't remember whining so much but I was really, really ready to be done!!! Guess this means I am in for a summer of "do overs" with an increasingly heavy pack.