APPLE HARVEST FESTIVAL @ GRAVES MOUNTAIN

Last Sunday, before we did the Pumpkin Drilling, we went to the Apple Harvest Festival at Graves Mountain. This festival is in a little town called Syria, and is just a little over an hour away. The weather that day was absolutely Beautiful

The drive there was Breathtaking. You're coming into the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, so the rolling hills covered in bright fall foliage is a feast for the eyes.


Our main purpose for this little Family Excursion, was to help support our friend, John Higginbotham. John is the founder of a little private Christian school, Cornerstone Christian School, and they were having a Fund Raiser... The First Annual Great Duck Race. The race was to take place in the little creek that runs in front of Graves Mountain Lodge.

This is the "Little" Creek. Due to all the recent rain the area had received, the "Little" Creek, was running more like a "Little" River. Improvising was in order.

Using some chicken wire and broom sticks (or whatever they could find), John and some of the parents were trying to create a catch-all running across the width of the creek, to catch the race participants as the crossed the finish line (there wasn't really a finish line). Marc was kind enough to go to the opposite side of the creek and help John out by holding that side of the catch-all. That's John standing in the middle of the creek.

Mind you, it was still pretty chilly that day, and the water was freezing. John is in there in sweat pants and rubber boots. One guy was in there bare-footed and in shorts. And then, at one point, on our side of the creek, another guy jumped in in his blue jeans and leather loafers. All to try to keep the ducks from continuing on down the creek. They were not completely successful, but there effort was commendable.

These are the Ducks who were not sponsored for the race. I'm sure they're glad that didn't have to make that cold treacherous swim.

The race participants were released up stream, and slowly made their way to the finish line. I was able to catch the leaders.

Here's John announcing the winners. Unfortunately, we were not one of them.

After the Great Duck Race, we went to find something to eat, and then walked around for a little while before heading home. As we were leaving, we happened upon this photo opportunity...

How fitting for Porkchop to be the face of a Pig. LOL :)

Before we left, we made sure to fill up a bag with these...

Yummy Fugi Apples.

It's a wonderful little festival, and we will definitely be going back next year.