July 21, 2013 - Meetings on Sunday

On Saturday nights, we google the area we're in for churches - look at their websites, read about their beliefs (to see if they are similar to ours), find out what time their services are held, and if they have a contemporary service (since our preference is the more contemporary music).  

Today, we decided to go to a church nearby in Fort Chiswell. 

In the churches we've been going to, they have the offering first...don't know why, just thought it was interesting.  

Then they began the worship music!  Wow!  There was a drummer in a booth (to temper the sound), a bass guitarist, a pianist with the most amazing voice, and another three ladies who sang beautifully also. The one song they did that we knew was the Revelation Song - we had sung it at the church in Cape May too! Had done the choral version at our church in the past and just loved the alto part.  The other songs they did (He'll Do it Again, Through the Fire and God so Loved) we've never heard before but the words, singing and harmonies were wonderful.  Wish they had a CD!  

Then the pastor began a sermon called "Will you go with this Man?"  It was based on Abraham seeking a wife for Isaac.  He sends his servant out into the countryside.  Meets Rebekah and tells the family about his quest.  They ask her the question. And she says, "I will go".  She's never seen Isaac nor does she know him, and yet she goes. He paralleled this story to accepting Jesus...you just have to have faith.  His message was good, but to quote a line from the movie Pollyanna, "he sure sermonizes something fierce!"  

I only remember one other time I've heard intense preaching like that...it takes me back to Sharptown again.  There was no such thing as air conditioning in churches back then...all the ladies had fans...the pews were wooden and hard...everyone was dressed in their Sunday best...it seemed to go on forever, but then I was young, and eager to go play...and afterwards, still shaking, I was told this was a fire and brimstone preacher.  The pastor today had the vocal ferocity but the message was one of hope and guidance. No shaking today!

Since we would be staying put tomorrow, so Greg could work, he split up his ride in this area until we moved on.  

So it was a short ride for him (but no less uneventful!).  I decided to do the "mmm, I think I'll try this road" exploring again...found a road that from the looks of it, went on forever! 

It started with a paved road, then switched to gravel. Decided to turn around before it got to just dirt!  But what a beautiful path!  There were houses tucked into the woods here and there, with a small stream that wound its way right along the road...

Greg's ride took him right to our campground today.  But along the way, he met another bicyclist!!

Xiao An is from China.  He had only seen what this country was like from TV and wanted to really see America, so he decided this was the way to do it!  He flew to New York.  And his bike arrived a couple of days late.  So he spent the time visiting NYC before starting out on his journey!  He loved Central Park.  He took a different route down from NYC - through DC.  He really liked that area too.

And he is also going all the way to San Francisco!  Greg invited him back to "our place" for cool refreshing beverages!  Xiao An was following the 76 route only by the signs - unfortunately the signs aren't always where they should be.  So Greg made a copy of all the maps that he had from Virginia to California for him.  

He was such a nice guy - I believe our paths will cross again!

We had a little time before the Big Walker Lookout area closed, so after a very long drive...

...we arrived!  I decided right then and there, NO WAY was I climbing that thing!  Greg, on the other hand, was definitely going to!  
He even went on the rickety bridge too!

We went into the gift shop (yay!) first.  Greg got cherry vanilla ice cream...
...I got a little expresso one! (Very yummy!)  

 Then he took the high road...

 ...and I took the low road ( scenes from on the GROUND! )

He said it was good I didn't go up there...the tower was swaying in the breeze!  

After dinner, we decided to go for a stroll around the campground. 

There's this really nice area near the stream for people who are tenting.  

Laney told us the kids like to use the big tubes and hang out in the calmer area above the little fall...sounds like fun!

The evening was winding down...

...but on the way back to the RV, a gentleman pulls up in a golf cart - Larry.  We say hi and what seems to happen so easily in Virginia...we begin to talk for a nice long time!  He told us some great stories about when he was in the Army.  We told him what we were doing and did he have stories and places we definitely have to go to when we get to the different states!  (He's travelled a lot!)

Good evening....good day...