Christmas 2023

Merry Christmas! Jan and I send holiday greetings to one and all. We are looking forward to enjoying the holidays here with friends and family. This has been a good year for us as we move beyond the Covid world and the heavy-handed health issues that are now a thing of the past. Although, Larry has managed a couple embarrassing side-steps recently, drawing attention and mandatory timeouts. It seems like staying out of harms-way has become a full-time job. Ending this year in good shape and looking forward to what comes next. Already planning next year with a balance of travel and other fun actives.

Still loving the South Carolina upstate area. So many recreational opportunities. We enjoy checking out the little southern towns as well as quality time in the bigger cities. The first half of this year was spent taking care of the ever-demanding yard and to do list, balanced with just the right number of fun outings to make us feel a bit guilty. With our interest in gardening, wood working, photography, genealogy, tapestry, hiking and traveling in our RV there is never enough time. Retirement is one of the best jobs ever and as we near 80 we like to think we are just getting started.

At the end of July, we hit the road in the RV heading to Michigan for six weeks. It had been five years since we had been back. Along the way we caught up with friends and family. It was good to reconnect and catch up one on one. The trip started exploring the Lake Michigan side of the state, ending up in Petoskey. Over Labor Day weekend the Snyder siblings gathered at Forest Lake near Alger for their annual reunion. Early this month the New York contingent of our family flew in for holiday fun, interesting food and good times. As usual there was more food than we could eat. The planned outings were hampered by rain and unseasonable cold weather. The rebound was a nice micro-brewery to fill the gap with more face time. It was good to have everyone here. There are now plans to meet somewhere in New York next summer

Larry and Jan on the Treat Trail Sleeping Bear NP

If you want to catch a glimpse into our life for the past year, take in the photos that follow.

Both of us enjoy the garden. There was a good return even after fending off the rabbits and deer. When we travel the gardening keys are turned over to Angie. She also takes on the care and feeding of our house full of plants.

Our garden in all its glory. Love the herbs, a key ingredients in our famous Plant-Based dishes.

View from above. This shot sometime in June.

These lilies came from Michigan. Jan sister-in-law, Ginger saved them for us. There are well traveled from Michigan to Missouri ending up in South Carolina where they now thrive again.

One of Jan’s favorite flowers.

Our horse friends next door are interesting company. We keep close tabs on them from our deck, a favorite hangout for us year-round.

Our close friends next door. They do love to eat…

The planters have become an integral part of our deck’s summer landscaping. In the winter the geraniums are replaced with pansies.

Here are two photos taken from our great room.

Rainbow captured from the inside.

Fun photo from the inside out.

There is always something happening at the Biltmore. Our annual membership gives the opportunity to go whenever the mood strikes. The spring flowers are striking, during the summer great place to ride your bike and the holiday decorations are outstanding this time of the year. If you are ever in Asheville, check it out.

Biltmore in the spring.

This is called the Azalea path in all its glory…

Really liked this natural view of the forest. The Biltmore Estate at its best.

This lake was on the Biltmore master plan and has withstood the test of time. The sun makes this a fun photograph on this day.

Here are fall photos taken in the Caesar’s Head State Park. There are so many good mountain views plus challenging hikes that call us back. If you are in the area, check it out.

Caesar’s Head in the fall.

Caesar’s Head view. South Carolina fall view.

This fall we checked in with the white squirrel in Brevard, North Carolina. We like to see him a couple times of the year. Brevard is one of our favorite places to hang-out.

Famous Brevard white squirrel who loves to pose for photographs.

Jan had to check out the Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair, our first time. Jan is into the yarn scene with her love of tapestry. It is on our list for next year.

Southeastern Animal Fiber Show – pulls in a lot of vendors with outstanding wares.

Fiber Show temptations

Two Fiber Show friends…

This guy was engaging.

Here we are once again ready to get out of “Dodge”. The RV is packed, the GPS set and there is a reservation for every night for the next 45 days. The old RV is hanging in there as it hits its 13th birthday. It is now back in the hands of the Airstream folks who are giving it a renewed lease on life for next years adventures. Really miss seeing it in the its parking place in our yard.

Ready to hit the road. This will be our home away for several weeks.

The summer trip started in the Smoky Mountains at the National Park Elkmont campground. We found Mrs. Owl waiting for us telling us to stay clear of her young ones. Lots of good hikes with Gatlinburg just fifteen minutes away. A yearly stop…

Mrs. Owl

We could hear this creek from our Smoky Mountain National Park campsite.

Love the characters we find in Gatlinburg.

Downtown Gatlinburg…

This was a first time at the Holland, Michigan State Park. Nice campground although a bit like a parking lot. Had a great time checking out the city with a side trip to Grand Rapids for a quick lunch and beer at the Founders Brewery.

Found these lovers in downtown Holland.

…more Holland!

Love the Holland beach. These folks were just hanging out.

Holland light house…

One of the favored Holland photos…

Ileana and Larry enjoying the path along Lake Macatawa in Holland.

There was a three day stop in Breckenridge area, the area where Jan and I grew up. Found a campground on the Pine River which was just two miles from the Neitzke farm. This area was considered the “other side” of the tracks when we grew up so reluctantly made reservation. In the end it was a good choice with a new respect for the area and the Pine River. We used the campground as a basecamp. The objective was to check out some small township cemeteries to fill in holes in our never-ending genealogy project including the Snyder and Neitzke branches.

This was our campsite on the Pine River in Midland County, Michigan

Pine River. Our RV trips always include electronics with ebooks for Jan and audiobooks for Larry.

Next stop was the Sleeping Bear National Park. This was our old stomping grounds. Had a fun time checking out the trails and views in the park.

Great campsite at the Platt River Campground at Sleeping Bear. The only issue was no electricity and no generators allowed. Really had to rough it…

This is a favorite trail to Lake Michigan called the Treat Farm Trail.

This is the trail to the Treat Farm in the Sleeping Bear NP. Great walk back from Lake Michigan through the open fields to the old homestead. I think the purple flower is a type of Phlox.

Love this photogenic view at Sleeping Bear. Surprised at the amount of erosion since our last visit. Great reward at the end of a two mile hike.

Jan enjoying the Lake Michigan view. Great view with lots of wind to mess up her hair.

Larry enjoying the same view, note his hair is not blowing as much…

The iconic sand dune climb is not as high as I remember it.

Attended the Buckley Old Engine Show. It had been a while since we had attended. This is a great show, brings back fond memories. Lots of old red and green equipment lovingly cared for. The problem was we can remember when much of it was new.

The Old Engine Show at Buckley was a fun side excursion. Jan remembers threshing time on the Neitzke farm back in the early 50s. The amount of vintage equipment and the real time demonstrations was impressive.

This JP model of John Deere was used on our farm through the 60s. It was my Grandpa Snyder’s first mechanical tractor back in the 20s.

This International Harvester reminded me of my Grandpa Woodards last tractor purchased in 1948 after World War II. I fondly remember that he would wipe it down at the end of day.

Our next stop was the Petoskey State Park. Trips to Harbor Springs, Cross Village, the county fair and downtown kept us busy for two weeks. Looking forward to going back soon.

A stop in Harbor Springs is always warranted. The homes are outstanding plus checking out all the boats is totally impressive.

…more Harbor Springs.

The trip from Petoskey on M119 to Cross Village is a must when we are in the area. Discovered the Legs Inn back in the 60s when we were camping at the Wildness State Park nearby. Note the namesake stove legs on the roof. Polish based food is always fun and interesting.

Legs Inn tree root-based interior is unique to the point of being awesome. This shot is above the bar. Lots of other interesting wood sculptures to take in.

The Legs Inn grounds and outside dinning overlooking Lake Michigan is just plain cool!

As luck would have it the Emmet County Fair was in in Petoskey during our visit. We had not been to a fair in over 20 years, so it was a walk back in time…

Many of the rides were new to us. Fun to look at but way too old to take any of them on. Well, maybe the merry go round would be ok.

Found that the 4H clubs are still alive and well. Fun exhibits and displays.

Walking out the pier in Petoskey is fun and there is always an opportunity for a photo or two.

What is a trip to Northwest Michigan without a stop in Mackinaw to take a picture of the bridge?

Next stop was the Snyder reunion on Forest Lake. It is always fun to catch with everyone. It seems like we can just pick up where we last left off. The only issue was we are starting to look like our grandparents…how did that happen?

Yes, we are all smiling. The Snyder siblings are still having fun. Not often you can get them in the same place at the same time!

Aunt Bonnie’s garden(s) are impressive, always a photo opt or two. This young lady drew my attention.

Our Snyder host has an impressive fire pit. Master fire builders at work.

Great place to catch up and maybe even solve the world’s problems.

A good campfire will keep you warm on a cold evening.

Uncle Duane enjoying the banter.

When in Michigan we always have to catch up with niece Betty and Husband Tom.

Catching up with niece Betty and husband Tom a highlight of the trip.

Every year our sons and granddaughter make their way to South Carolina from New York. It is one of the highlights of our year. There are always good times with plenty of laughs.

The group shot of the Snyder annual holiday South Carolina get together. Another great time together with good food and lots of laughs.

Presents under the tree, a sign we are getting in the spirit of the season. Finding a “real” Christmas tree takes a lot of work in this part of the world. This tree does not have any needles as you can see.