North Carolina Landscapes

These beautiful landscapes were inspired by the lesson over at Apex Elementary Art. We switched it up a little to incorporate all three regions of North Carolina – the mountains, Piedmont, and the coastal plains. NC history is the focal point in 4th grade social studies so this is one of those perfectly aligned cross-curricular projects.
We sketched everything out with pencil first and then traced with a black crayon. Next week we will start painting with those nice translucent tempera paints.
I can’t wait to see their final products. I’ll update again when we are finished!

Update! We started painting this week and they are looking fabulous! Man, where did those awesome painting skills come from. (They came from me 😉 ) can’t wait to see the finished products!

I want to share every single one of these! They all look great. I am so proud of how well they are painting and experimenting a little with color and design.

UPDATE!
These gorgeous paintings are finished and hanging in the foyer of the school. They really pop against that brick wall!

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No Creeping on the VA Creeper Trail!!!

Another week on the job took me to Damascus, VA. We were originally supposed to go bike part of the New River Trail but because of some mix ups with camping reservations, we ended up at Damascus. I am perfectly happy in Damascus. It’s one of my favorite little adventure towns. They are obviously big on the biking with the Creeper Trail rolling right through town, but they also have climbing, hiking, camping, and fishing. The Appalachian Trail also crosses through Damascus at a couple different spots and it’s home of the Trail Days festival.

I love Mt. Rogers Outfitters – I bought a great AT shirt there this time. I also love Sundog Outfitters, which is where we rent our bikes and use their shuttle service. There’s MoJoe’s coffee shop right next door to that. They have delicious coffee, frappes, and smoothies, as well as homemade baked goods. I had a blueberry muffin and an iced mocha latte this time. YUM. Right down from Sundog is a place called Cowboys. It’s a gas station, I think, plus restaurant. They have delicious tater wedges if you’re in the market for that kind of thing.

One of the best cheeseburgers and/or milkshakes I’ve ever had also came from Damascus. It was after our AT trip last year when we did the Grayson Highlands section and finished in Damascus. I think it’s called Off the Beaten Path and the ice cream shop is separate from the cheeseburger place but the buildings are super close. I was so hungry, I honestly wasn’t paying much attention to anything beyond the food going into my pie hole. I had a black cherry milkshake and a cheeseburger all the way. I can taste it now. Hmmm… Totally worth the 4 hour drive to town. 🙂

So anyway, something new I got to see this time was Backbone Rock. How cool is that?! And people were climbing and rappelling on it! I hope we can make a longer trip of it next time and do the climbing as well as the biking. This was my fifth time biking the White Top to Dam. section. I love it! I love to go fast. I love it when I take my time. I love when it’s hot or cool, Fall or Summer. It’s always beautiful and well-kept and I would love for it to be in my own backyard. Check it out.

 

Sweet Summertime

I’m about 2.5 weeks into summer and its flying by! But I guess that’s what happens when you’re having a great time.
This will be my third summer working for a program within our Parks and Rec department called Challenge. Last week was the boys’ extended and we took them for a two night trip to Emerald Isle and we paddled from Hammocks Beach State Park over to Shark Tooth island. We were supposed to continue on to Bear Island but the wind was just too strong. The kids really enjoyed themselves though and found some awesome sharks teeth and shells!

This week is the girls short week and we are leaving today for the US National Whitewater Center and one night at Crowders Mtn. It’s a new trip for us so we are all looking forward to it but keeping our fingers crossed that we don’t get washed out at the campsite.
We’ve already climbed, rappelled, hiked, and paddled this week…

I hope you’re enjoying your summer adventures like I am! 🙂