Adventures in the Smokies

What a weekend! It's always nice to take a break; nicer to get to spend time with others I don't normally get to relax with, but best of all, fun to dance & sing & be entertained by my musically talented offspring (of which, more later). We crossed the Eastern Continental Divide (elevation 2,130 feet) just outside of the town where we stayed, and climbed from that point up to our destination.

And then the FUN began...

We arrived to find that a local electrical power substation had gone out of commission--on a night with lows forecast to be in the single digits above zero. Fortunately, backup generators were already working in the main building, the cabins (we stayed in one), & those gathering places our parish was to use that evening. The fireplace helped keep the place cozy, though not as toasty as I personally would've liked. My children, having spent our Christmas in the REALLY frozen north, were dressed more than adequately for this Arctic blast--many of our cohorts were barely so & rode buses to everything on the property while we walked (rapidly, to keep the ol' blood flowing!).

On Saturday three of the children hiked up at various times of the day to Eagle Rock, which overlooks the entire region. That evening we were busy between the following events:
a break-dancing contest (!) between our junior minister & a 20 year old college student, complete with a hype video featuring references to our senior minister by his e-mail alias;
karaoke by various parishioners including at least two of my children (the seasoned chorister--me--refused to try this!);
dancing the shag (the SC state dance) & line dances like the Electric Slide, Macarena, etc. with a group including my eldest (who is quite the suave dude on the dance floor!);
listening to & singing along with a group comprised of a high school junior, my two collegiate sons, a 25 year old, & two other college students jamming on violin, piano, sax, & guitar while imbibing a Celtic Ale someone provided.

Last night's bedtime was roughly 2:15 a.m. today, so I'm zonked!

Two of them were jamming with friends last night while the third joined in singing along.