Beautiful Grandson has arrived

Nicholas Deiman Kikel arrived exactly on his due date, July 24, at 2.29 pm. He weighed in at a healthy 7 lbs, 4 oz, 20+ inches, with dark hair (which his uncle Jay warned won't last long if he is a typical Kikel male). What a beautiful, healthy baby, the first of this generation of Kikels. Everyone is saying that he looks like his father, but he doesn't act much like him so far--Nicholas has been a very quiet baby, NOT like his father was as a baby!!!!! Mom (Dawn) and Dad (Matt) are doing well. Grandpa David is full of love and joy--he wants to play with Nicholas all the time, but is willing to let the parents handle the dirty diapers!!!!! The dogs are still trying to adjust to this new family member, which has introduced the biggest strain so far for the new parents.

We arrived at Duncan's family campground in Lothian, MD on July 15th so we could be close to the kids and see lots of Nicholas before we head out west in mid-August on our great adventure. In the meantime, we have been busy here at the campground doing projects on our Big Sky and getting things organized. We have also had a number of friends come by to see our new home. The consensus view is that our Big Sky is much bigger and more comfortable than people expected, even those who had seen the brochures. People seem to be a little less concerned now about how well we will preserve our mental health and physical safety for the next two years, although many still worry about whether our relationship will survive living together in close quarters on a 24/7 basis for the next two years. LOL!!!!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

On our way back to Virginia after the Kikel Family Reunion, we stopped off at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. We stayed at a campground on the Cherokee Reservation just outside the park and did a couple of great (and exhausting) hikes, including one up to a wonderful little waterfall back up in the hills. The mountains were full of beautiful rhododendrums in bloom, and Wild Camera Lady (AKA Jo) couldn't resist snapping pictures constantly. Of course, she may have been using the picture taking as an excuse for us to rest frequently as we hiked up the mountain--we are not yet in shape for the hiking we will be doing when we get out west!!!

On one of our walks up to an observation platform on one mountain peak, we crossed the Appalachian Trail--see Jo standing next to the sign. Too bad we didn't have time to hike the trail--as it went up and down the mountain peaks dividing Tennessee from North Carolina!!!!

On one drive along a nature trail, we were puzzled when several cars in front of us all stopped, and people started pointing into the woods. I thought I saw a bear in the woods and encouraged Jo to get out of the truck and see if she could get a picture. She initially thought that was a nutty idea, but she eventually went along after several other people in the cars ahead did the same thing. There was indeed a black bear walking thru the woods along the road, and Jo got some great shots, like the one below.

At one point, Jo was thrilled when the bear started turning toward her--she thought he was being very cooperative so that she could get a better shot. Then she suddenly realized he was walking right at her, and she got a bit nervous. Fortunately for all concerned, the bear turned away just as Jo headed for the truck. I guess he figured that the grubs he started digging up under a rock were an easier prospect than trying to have Jo for dinner!!!!!!!!

To see more pictures of our visit to Great Smoky Mountains National Park click on this link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/JoAnna.Kikel/GreatSmokyMountains

Kikel Family Reunion - Colquitt, Georgia

The Kikel family gathered in Coquitt, Georgia for a family reunion at Robert and Charlottes beautiful home. Most everyone arrived on Thursday and we visited and partied until Sunday morning when we headed for Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The next reunion is planned for Austin, Texas in two years, hosted by Glenn & Tamara Kikel.

The Kikel family came to visit our new home while we were in Colquitt. We stayed in a small RV Park offered by the town near a creek. It was near the reunion and very handy. Colquitt was lovely but we could have done without the gnats!!!!