Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Girls With Grandmother Faces

Spring Fling ~ 2008
~ latest saga in the "Where in the World are the GWGF" series ~
Playing ~ "Carolina In the Morning"

Tar Heel Lodge
Ridgecrest, North Carolina
atop Black Mountain
May 12-16
Hostess ~ Charlotte Hicks Brunson
with lots of help from Mattie and others

Monday, May 12, found us winding up the long road to Tar Heel Lodge at Ridgecrest for
the second straight year ... only the second time we have had Spring Fling at the same place twice.
The area had experienced very strong storms before our arrival, and a tree had fallen across the narrow
road up to the lodge. The tree had been removed by the time our car arrived. However ..... the storms
had left the area without electricity! It was also windy and cold but, as we soon learned, our gas fireplace
worked fine and gave us light and warmth in the lounging area.

We had no power until the next day when we came back after our lunch in Asheville. Wanda and Charlotte
had a delicious baked spaghetti casserole prepared, and ready to bake, for our supper
that first night but what to do without use of the oven! They finally went down to the staff quarters
at Ridgecrest and were able to bake our casserole in the small facilities there. So we did have a hot
meal that first night .... also candles and flashlights. Nancy helped with the accompaniments and
Carolyn (that's me) did nothing! We had some light from the gas fireplace along
with some nice warmth on a fairly cold night ..... off to bed early!

The spaghetti casserole recipe came from Jama many years ago when she served this to us for a Saturday
supper during homecoming. You may find this recipe on one of my web pages .... just click here:

https://www.angelfire.com/home/carolynsscrapbook/recipes_casserolesentrees.html

The 2008 bunch
The above picture, in front of our wonderful gas fireplace, was not taken until Thursday when Earlene was
with us. She was not able to spend the week with us but she and Jewell were fairly close to Asheville
so he brought her to spend Thursday afternoon with us and took this picture when he returned.

Front row ~ Marian, Wanda, Carolyn, Imogene and Earlene
Second row ~ Mattie, Charlotte, Hilna, Nancy, Olive Belle and Lois Jean

Our group was the smallest this year since the very first SF in 1995. We had expected about 15-16, as
usual, but there were many last-minute cancellations this year for various reasons. So many GWGF were
missed this year ..... not only those who had to cancel almost at the last minute but also those who had not
planned to come at all this year because of conflicts.

After supper on Monday night, Wanda, Olive Belle and Marian are shown checking out one of the gifts
given to everyone this year. Check the lighted candles .... remember, no electricity.

We thoroughly enjoyed being at Tar Heel last year and felt it was so perfect for our group. In the
meantime, since last year, to our surprise we learned the lodge was being renovated. Every bedroom, with its
own bathroom, the kitchen, eating area and lounging area had been spruced up with new furniture. It is gorgeous!
Also there was a new large TV, video and DVD equipment. I guess we're all technically challenged, however,
as it took us to practically the last night to learn how to operate everything!

Tuesday morn there was still no electricty .... it was finally back on when we returned that afternoon.
We left about 10:30 for Asheville and our anticipated lunch at Grove Park Inn on The Terrace.

The above picture shows all 13 at our Tuesday luncheon at Grove Park Inn. The ten of us staying at
Tar Heel were joined by Ann Jones and Henrietta Jenkins who drove up from Jefferson City to
be with us. We were also joined by Celeste Martin Rast, a high school classmate of Carolyn's who
lives in Asheville very close to Grove Park. It was a fun day for all of us to be together.

Did I mention it was a beautiful, sunny day! Too sunny, in fact, for taking pictures with
squinting eyes and some who seemed to be hiding from the sun! This picture, taken just off
The Terrace, was obligingly shot by one of the waiters.
Front row ~ Mattie, Wanda, Carolyn, Celeste and Marian
Second row ~ Lois Jean, Ann, Olive Belle, Nancy, Hilna, Imogene, Henrietta and Charlotte

(continued)

Click here for the rest of the story and pictures
about Spring Fling 2008

I'd be honored if you would sign my guest book ... click on my picture.

Back to Site Directory for more browsing

Home

You may contact me by leaving a message in my guest book!