Photos by Ruth and Joe at Spencer Mountain, N.C.

 

The 211-acre Laurel Hill Preserve, protected in 2001, offers magnificent trees and rolling hills. Conservancy Board member and amateur botanist Jean Woods guided us on a hike with views of rocky cliffs, a variety of plant species, and Little and Long Creeks, through a landscape often resembling that of the NC mountains. Conservancy volunteer James Cook (shoulder with the bright yellow shirt, above left) also helped us identify several species of plants uncommon to the Piedmont, including big leaf magnolia, chestnut oak, mountain laurel, & leucothoe beside the trail along some pretty steep slopes. Amy then served us scrumptious Yum-Yum cookies she had baked that morning!

Thank you, Catawba Lands Conservancy,  for arranging this wonderful hike at the Laurel Hill Preserve, 10:00 a.m. - noon!

 

Joe captured 3 milestone photos of Ruth's odometer turning over 90,000 miles as she cruised down I-485 to our next event. (Ruth drives the most beautiful car ever designed.)

 

Ruth & Joe enjoyed joining Dr. Marc Surprenant and his Maximized Living Life Management Team for a 12:15 - 3:15 p.m. program at Harmony Baptist Church, Matthews NC:

          The 5 essentials for healthy longevity — pain-free living.

          Detox — learn how to get well, lose extra weight, feel happy and energetic.

          Nutrition — cutting-edge nutrition for personalizing your diet.

          Stress Management — end stress, worry, and fear in your life.

          Exercise — heart-throbbing, what only 12 minutes a week can do for you.

          Success — 4 rules of Olympic Success, and creating the life of your dreams.

 

After a half hour at home, 4:00 - 4:30, we drove into Charlotte for St. Mark's Lutheran Church Youth Dinner/Drama, five hilarious one-act plays by award-winning playwright Burton Bumgarner, with a delicious dinner served at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall by multi-talented Eric Timm and his crew. We especially enjoyed our cousin Connor's debut onstage — the entire audience burst into enthusiastic applause upon his entertaining performance as Actor 3 in Scene 3 - High School "Auditions"! Connor also played the part of Kyle (plays Romeo) in Scene 2 - Middle School "Romeo and Juliet"; all the participating Middle School and High School Youth got a rousing standing ovation.