Ahhhh. The Land. It's a place of wonder. It's a place with no TV or internet. It's a place where if the wind is just right, you can get a whiff of the chicken farm from up the road. It's a place where 21 people vie for a bed to sleep, eat at the too-small-for-everyone-table, and use one bathroom. It'a place where trophy antlers of past year's hunts adorn the walls and fireplace. It's a place that's furnished with old couches and chairs, a closed down restaurant's dining set, and people's cast-off appliances. It's a place that has such landmarks as Wink's Woods, The Throom, the May We Help You picture, Uncle Tommy's old shirt, the Hooded Specter (yes, that's the way it's spelled), Ackleys Store, and "Don's Toilet". These are things that only family and close friends should know about!
Does all this sound appealing?
Well, it's also a place of lots of fresh air, exercise, beautiful scenery, family, good food, and good ol' conversation. Usually funny conversation. This is why my family spends a long weekend there every year, a tradition that has been going for as long as I can remember. All 21 of us go (minus 3 this year due to cheerleading commitments and sickness) and we totally make it work, one bathroom and all. We bond. We pick out Christmas trees. We walk. We shoot guns. We ride the four wheelers. We eat and eat. We laugh.
All this, even the not so appealing stuff listed above, is why this place is so special. Thank you Grandpa, for having a vision, and building it with your own two hands.
Mark seriously put on Uncle Tommy's old shirt. Which has probably been hanging on a nail on the wall since 1975. The church shirt! Hahahahaha!
Move over Don. I think a "Stoke Boy" is in the making.
My Dad bought and brought a coconut to crack open. Colin was intrigued. Is this a possible new land tradition?
"Pop it in the pan, pop, pop it in the pan." (Uncle Jeff's version of Pat-a-cake)
Seesters!
Fishin'. They did catch a fish!
Caterpillar on the glove.
Brothers.
Love.
Cousins!
Father and son scoping out what needs to be done.
Making room for the four wheeler to get through. And I think Chris just needs an excuse to use his machete.
This is how we roll! In the bed of a pick up truck and a four wheeler.
Leaf fight. Get him Colin!
This is the best. My mom was just holding on to my Grandma to help her get inside, so Colin decided he needed to help my mom in.
Tearing down part of an old tree stand to rebuild it for the upcoming season. Is this where you'll get your first, Kevin?
Shooting. Their favorite thing to do.
Gram made it out to the fire!
Playing War.
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