frosty morning hike

I am sure this was not the first frost for our mountains this year, but it was the first one that I got to revel in. The dogs needed some leg stretching, so we wandered up and down our mountain for a bit and enjoyed the ice-edged woods.

Bryce has ordered a full-body down bubble for the boy, but until it comes, I just wrap him in a puffy jacket and plop him into the backpack. He was warm enough to fall asleep, which was lovely since we are in a weaning, condensing and decreasing nap-purgatory these days.

But I have hope for the days ahead, even if they will be mostly filled with me, this little guy and our frosty perch above the world (because, seriously, I don't think we could leave if there were any REAL ice on our roads... time to stockpile!)

We are here!

Oh, my. Why do I (not ever) blog? I thought I would do it more now that we have moved and I have a surplus of downtime... but I think I packed my downtime in one of these boxes and haven't come across it yet. And I never download pictures... which is probably the real reason.

In any case... we are here! We have started the Eichelventure of North Carolina. Robbinsville, NC, to be exact. Yes, of course you have heard of Robbinsville... it is the home of the Tail of the Dragon for you motorcyclists, it is sandwiched between 2 beautiful lakes and the AT, and most importantly, it is where Nell was filmed and where this scene from my Dad's all-time favorite movie was shot (you should wait for the inappropriate soundtrack for that clip... who does these things?).

Robbinsville, population 2,oo0 (8,000 in the whole county). There is no hospital in Graham County (which is why Bryce gets to work in an ER in a primary care clinic here- nice), no Wal-mart, no coffee shop... and only a smattering of traffic lights (maybe 5? 8?). We DO have a good grocery store and a mexican restaurant, thank God! What I have been surprised by since arriving is that this lifestyle is not such a huge adjustment. Raised in a small town, I think I have basically lived like a small-town girl in every city where we have lived. We eat at the same couple of restaurants instead of always looking for the new best thing. We go out to concerts, shows, museums only sporadically (and Asheville is only 1.5 hours away). We walk, we bike, we cook, we have friends over. The only thing lacking here is sidewalks... and friends! Well, and a place to meet up with these friends when I don't want to clean my house...

There have been some aspects of life here that are seem refreshing to me, and totally natural. We went to a Halloween festival at the local high school (which is the center of the community- same as Dickson). As we drove away, Bryce commented that no high school in Atlanta would have ever hosted an event for families and small kids. That is just not what high schools are for... in the city. Weird. I also now remember why we spent all of our time in high school "driving around" as a destination in and of itself. Come to think about it, that is how Bryce and I spent the majority of our dating time in Rome, Ga. That and walking, lots of walking, which is another post for another day. Baby and I have some driving and hiking to do today!

Nashville Favorites: Hikes

So, as I am processing our impending move, I am thinking through things we love about la vida Nashville. One thing is how easy it is to get to a good hike- even inside the Davidson County limits. So, here are the go-to getaways, all within an hour (or at least really close):

Favorite Unknown Spot: Beaman Park

This is our usual destination. It is north of town, an area we are so intrigued in. We would love to own land up there some day, but for now, we will get our hiking fix at this new park. Last year, the trails weren't even finished, but now there are more all the time. And fun creeks for the dogs to play in. There aren't many people up there, so you don't feel too bad letting the dogs off the leash. We hiked there when it snowed in January, there is always more ice up on the ridges north of Nashville.

Easiest: Shelby Bottoms

If only there was some way to count the number of Eichelsteps that have fallen here, especially with Bryce's running! If he is going farther than a couple of miles (and I have no idea when Bryce has only run 2 miles), he usually heads this direction and traces every inch of blacktop and some mudtop! We have walked, run, biked and carried a baby in a sling all over that place. We love getting all the way back to the pedestrian bridge. It is a beautiful view of the river and you can cross over to Wave Country and watch kids try to break their necks at the skate park there. We rode bikes over there when I was 6 months pregnant, which I don't recommend on a mountain bike. I kneed my belly with every pedal! Seriously, though, if I had a book of every lovely conversation I have had with friends in this park, I could re-read it monthly and have a perpetually warm heart.

Best Spandex and Range Rovers: Percy Warner Park

We hardly ever get out there these days, but we have run there to train for hilly races. There are so many people, but you really do feel out there once you get back in the woods, even though you are in the bellest of the Belle Meade!

1. 

Like Comin' Home: Montgomery Bell State Park

I have no objectivity on this one, since I grew up a couple of miles away and caught crawdads in the creeks, and dirtied my bum on many a trail, but this is a great little park to get lost in. Beautiful lakes, historical stuff, great trails (even a couple of overnight ones) and the site of our wedding (just past the stone church in Church Hollow.) I really do love this place. If you drive there from Nashville, take the scenic route by getting off the interstate Bellevue and heading west on 70. You can stop at the Narrows of the Harpeth for a little swimmin' (or canoeing!... but that is a different favorites list) and eat at Carl's Perfect Pig in White Bluff for some barbecue.

Worth the Drive: Fiery Gizzard

It's a bit of a drive to near Monteagle, but you can be hiking in an hour and feel like you are in a different world. It is always a couple of degrees cooler back in those moss-covered ravines and there are so many good little swimming holes. We have driven there so many times, and also love to stop there on our way back from trips farther afield (like Atlanta). Also, the Stuckeys on the way back is my favorite truck stop ever and has great bathrooms, goo-goo clusters and chocolate malts.

I realize that we will have even better access to hiking in Western NC (like the AT!), but the geography of middle TN has built my own inner topography. With this fall weather falling upon us (in between muggy rain showers), you should probably get out there now!

Wait... is that deer wearing my hat?

Bryce just told me that he has to go run for 2 hrs because he has to go all the way back to the spot in Shelby Bottoms where he left his shirt and hat a few days ago on a run. I just thought that was funny.

And, yes, that's right. His hat does say "Mr. Squirrel" on it. How does he expect them to resist? If a squirrel left a t-shirt in your house that had your name on it, wouldn't you wear it?

Our littlest squirrel has not left any of his clothes in the woods.

Elijah: Month by Month

Oh little man, you are one today. I don't think I could have predicted how much fun I was going to have with this Eli adventure.

I think you seem older today, too. You are so close to walking. You can wave and clap and feed yourself. You are saying "no" and meaning it. Every time you see a dog, or hear a dog bark (or see a cat...) you say "dog, dog, dog." It sounds alot like "Da-da," but he is not offended. Actually, I think you speak in full sentences (and you seem to think so, too)- I just can't understand them, yet. You point at what you want, and try so hard to communicate. You also point to the sky constantly... I haven't figured out what that is about.

Looking back at pictures of you, it is hard to remember that you were ever that small, that skinny, and that... still. I know the days ahead are only going to get faster and messier, but I can't wait to see what you have up those tiny little sleeves for us!

September 21, 2009

August 2009. Eleven Months Old.

July 2009. Ten Months Old.

June 2009. Nine Months Old.

May 2009. Eight Months Old.

April 2009. Seven Months Old.

March 2009. Six Months Old.

February 2009. Five Months Old.

January 2009. Four Months Old.

December 2008. Three Months Old.

November 2008. Two Months Old.

October 2008. One Month Old.

September 21, 2008

8 pounds 4 ounces

20 inches

You gotta see these pictures...

Classic Country

I can't be ashamed of who I am. Driving home from the farm last week, I had very few options for radio stations, and I chose classic country all the way. I don't mean old school americana cool country, I mean 80's and 90's pure cheesy all the way. It made me so happy.

I sang this one, which oddly my dad always said reminded him of me. I really wasn't a rebellious teenager, I just didn't comb my hair ever.

Then I had a lovely time with this song, which really made me want to own a karaoke machine. I love karaoke all the sudden. Kate Tanis, if you ever read this, you did this to me. Then of course, who doesn't love this song? Maybe a lot of you don't, but if so- I don't want to hear it. Also, as I am finding these videos, what is up with the "scene-setting intro" on so many music videos from the 90's? Interesting.

As a personal history sidenote, my family got cable when I was in high school. We were infatuated with CMT for a time and we recorded our favorite music videos onto a VHS tape and would watch them A LOT. It was sort of a VHS mix tape of sorts. I remember "She's in love with a boy" being on there, "God Blessed Texas," some Clay Walker song that I really loved, and oh so many more. I am sure that tape is still at the house.

Then, I heard a couple of new songs that renewed my faith that country music is still tugging heart-strings and making me cry, even when I know better. Thanks, Brad Paisley.

And this new song (the Alan Jackson one) reminds me of my mom, who is unashamed in her love for country. Me too, mom, I just don't always admit it.

Can contact wearers cook with jalapenos?

I think the answer is no. I am wearing my glasses today.

But so glad you came over Harris and Job friends. Late night nachos are the best way to celebrate friends! Also, yesterday Bryce and I saw this in Dickson at the Roxy Theater:

It was so terrible and I was sitting there wanting to throw up, and then Bryce said the sweetest words for a special date: "you don't have to stay and watch this if you don't want to." So I promptly moved on to the second hour of this:

So much better. You know you've been married six years when it is just as romantic to watch movies separately. Of course we had to give each other complete plot re-caps afterwards. I cried again in the re-telling.

Mucho thanks to grandparents who love their Eli time!

Thoughts on place along the river

On Thursday, Bryce took me to see Gillian and Dave and Old Crow Medicine Show at the Riverfront as a lovely birthday present (fitting since the show is called "The Big Surprise Tour.") They, along with the other bands (who were new to me), played on each other's songs and had a ridiculous amount of fun together on stage. With the sun setting over the buildings and the breeze off the Cumberland, it was a delicious evening and my heart was full. It got me thinking about where we are, where we are going, and the blessings piled on the banks along the way.

photo borrowed from for2now2 on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/2now2/3805186038/

If you've talked to me lately, you know that I am having a hard time with our move to Robbinsville, NC at the end of September (though I am actually talking about it now, as you can see, which is an improvement.) This week has been a lovely, busy reminder of all the people I have here in Nashville that fill up my life in a talking, laughing, eating, walking kind of way.

Even there at the concert there were friends and friends of friends that we have connected with in the last couple of years and friends who I have held somewhere in my heart for years...Brent is home from Mexico and we have missed him, especially as he has helped celebrate most all of the major milestones in Bryce and I's life. Dawn and I caught up while Gillian played and laughed about how I would run to catch the bus in fifth grade looking like I had never heard of a hair brush- nineteen years ago! Dear Ariana was home knitting on our couch, minding a baby, and we probably had three other friends that we could have just plopped him in a pack n' play at their house for the evening. Around every corner in our neighborhood are friends, glorious friends, ripe for the conversation picking!

I know how moving is... I know what is coming. Evenings spent home with projects instead of conversation. Inviting people over for dinner and then wondering afterward if that was a one-night stand or the beginning of a friendship. Not having any person to call and walk with during my afternoon crazies when I HAVE to escape my house. And while it sounds like I am being pitiful (and I really do need people), I am almost looking forward to it.

Whenever I have entered these times of solitude (starting college, moving to Nashville), beautiful things have resulted (especially visible in retrospect.) Things that I would not have heard, made, quilted, journaled, or seen about my life (and my God) if I had more people to fill up my time. This time won't be exactly solitude, of course, since I have my favorite men in my life along for this Eichelventure. But I will be going from feasting to fasting, as far as present friends are concerned. Fasting has it's own beauty, though, it's just not as loud about it. I should probably see if Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen would like to come along.

Climbing on Rocks

Still playing catch-up...

We spent a lovely Saturday at Foster Falls, near the Fiery Gizzard (where the blog header pic was taken) outside of Monteagle.

Bryce has been climbing a bunch at Climb Nashville and really enjoying it. I love when he

can sport about (a necessity for that man) AND be around people he enjoys. Our trip to Foster Falls was just that. Bryce had not been climbing outside, and I have never really seen it done, really. I think I could get into this part of the sport (assuming I knew how to be safe). We were there with lovely (and really good) climbers, Josh & Katie and Jason & Amber.

I didn't climb, but hung out with adventure babe, who was roundly admired by all the climbers we passed and then slept for a bit in my lap. He is so much more likely to sleep in someone's lap when we are outside. Maybe it is the breeze on his face, I don't know. We swam at the falls before we left and (of course) stopped at Sonic. That is a necessary part of any outdoor sport, in the Eichelbook.

Speaking of face, I couldn't resist sharing this picture. Total non-sequitur.

Don't just stand there...

...baby, get back to that laundry!

Swimmin' Hole

So, the summer is flying past and very few of the pictures are getting stuck here on the blog... I have so much to recount, but for now let us meditate on one of our favorite summer pastimes- swimming at the Narrows. Canoeing with a baby is not so possible (though we did go on our anniversary- I will share that soon), but swimming? Why not? Forget the fact that Ariana saw a mother copperhead with a nest of babies at this very spot last summer. Just enjoy the water, friends!