Rolling Rock Club

So as I mentioned, we just got back from a family trip to Pennsylvania for a week. People always ask what we do in Pennsylvania and it is hard to explain, but our family have been members of a club up there called "Rolling Rock Club" (where the beer got its name) for a long time. It is in a small town and is surrounded by mountains, woods etc so it is very peaceful. They have several out of town members so not only do they have guest rooms in the clubhouse, but they have a cabin you can rent that has 3 bedrooms and that is what we did! My dad loves to rent the cabin for his birthday week so we have done this a few times in the past. The reason it is so wonderful is because it takes us out of the HEAT in Nashville and also just away from anything that consumes our minds on a daily basis. When Graham and I pulled in to the cabin Friday afternoon, my temperature gauge on my car said 76. It was AMAZING. As we drove north, we watched the temperature drop from 100 all the way down to 76. And yes, we drove. I know it sounds long, we sure thought it would be, but all stops included it took 10 hours. That is not so bad especially since we stopped for long lunches to allow Carrie to stretch her legs. She was such a trooper on both rides, never crying, just entertaining herself with books or watching a DVD or if she started to get antsy, I would sit back with her and read to her. We were so thankful she was good because 10 hours in the car is not fun to begin with so if you add an unhappy baby, I cannot imagine. Anyways, we arrived on an amazing night and were so thankful to be away! That night they had family night at the pool so we took Carrie up there and they had a "mongolian barbeque" which was SO good. The food up there is hard to beat ANYWHERE so if you know me, it is my heaven!

Carrie and I mainly spent our days playing at the pool! They have an amazing baby pool and she loved it!

This turtle fountain was a hit for sure!

Mom, Dad and Graham played a lot of golf during the day so when Carrie was napping, I got to sit outside (without dying of a heat stroke) and read my book and finish smocking a dress for Carrie (Smocking post to come later...). Here is where I sat...

And here was my view.

It really is just so peaceful and it was so nice to do whatever I wanted without going through lists in my head about what needed to get done before I can do anything else.

Here is a picture of the beloved cabin. We got it again for a week for the next 2 summers coming up! Yay! Thanks, Dad! We are already looking forward to it.

This was what was going on in our backyard almost 100% of the time. As we all said, deer are so common that you rarely get to really appreciate them, but we did when we were there. They are so peaceful and serene and beautiful.

Carrie does not love sitting on grass (nor do I so I dont blame her) so she had to get on a blanket when we were all outside...

Her obsession right now is books. That was basically all I brought for toys because besides her baby (whom she loves and she now can say "baby" but it sounds very country...kind of like "bay-bay" haha) and her big bird, books are about all that interest her. She wants to point out everything and have you tell her what it is. She even tries to back in to your lap with her books so she can pin you down to reading to her. As Graham said "How can you resist?!"

We are so lucky to have a woman up there who recently retired from working the front desk who loves to babysit! And since we know her and have always loved her, it is even better. The club does not really allow children under 3 (we did have 1 breakfast and 1 lunch there with Carrie, but we were in our own room). So she was available to us all week and we used her every night except that first night dinner at the pool and one night when we cooked at home. The men went fishing for trout and although they only caught 1, they got 3 more from the fishing place there and we had fresh trout one night. It was so yummy. I think we all got a little carried away the whole week with our beverage consumption since we were on vacation, but cooking in led to this picture at about 9 o'clock...

Every day but 1 we ate lunch by the pool. Carrie loved it because she could watch the kids run around while she ate! She also got some junk food that is not usually permitted such as chicken fries and french fries which she, of course, loved! She also tried her first cookie...one of their ginger snaps and we cracked up because she shoveled that thing in like she was the cookie monster! It was a hit! Here she is eating her favorite, string cheese, and not wanting me to steal any!

One day, dad, Graham and I went to shoot trap at the hunting lodge. I was so rusty, but we had tons of fun and Carrie loved looking at all the animal heads and waving to them!

Here are a few pictures from a walk Graham and I took Carrie on one day. We had to stop and play in the fountain!

Carrie also has now taken her first steps. She is not walking...she is very cautious and does not trust herself, but if she is not thinking about it and sees something she wants, she will walk over to it if it is a short enough distance away. She does know she can stand on her own, though...

Apple orchard...just another pretty view.

This was our last night. We were going up to eat at the clubhouse which is what we did most nights. Like I said, their food is my favorite. I stuffed myself silly with 4 course meals plus desert and have no regrets!!! They have a soup there called Chippewa that is my favorite soup. I dream about it. I had it at every lunch and dinner, no lie and brought 3 quarts home with me. (2 are in the freezer). I wish Carrie was looking in this picture...

And I wish something had not fluttered over Graham's face in this one!

The trip was just what we needed. A good get away, cooler weather and yummy food :). Thanks for bringing us along, Dad! We look forward to next year!!