I guess he likes it!

Whats this?

A blanket with sleeves?

Of course, it’s a Snuggie!

If Leonard is going to try it, then I will too!

When you find a successful product for humans, you should just duplicate it for dogs.

The fellas take the court.

In the hundred degree heat, it doesn’t take long before we all need a break.

I like how Jason’s hair matches the bird on his shirt.

What an athletic pair!

A few more hits and back to the shade.

Fran says I look Asian in this hair style.  I’m not sure why this statement has to be made since I AM Asian : )

It’s like a pseudo fish eye lens but not really. I catch Perry mid serve.

Talk about a fashion faux pas.  Perry (#1) and Lenny (#2) both arrive with their blue v-neck t’s.  Fran says this is more embarrassing to Lenny that Perry has the same shirt.

Chad (#3) is enjoying the new living room layout.

This is what we call a Command Hook fail.  Not only did the Command Hook not hold onto the wall but it peeled off several coats of paint with it.

Chad and Erica (#4)

Carrie (#5), Brittany (#6), and Fran (#7)

Brittany and Jason (#8)

Me (#9) and Lenny

Chad and Erica get to setting up the tents and corn hole boards.

Erica brings a collage with photos of HeeJun doing his favorite thing: riding his motorcycle.

Lenny is part of the Silly Bandz craze.  He says it’s the equivalent of our Garbage Pail Kids cards.  Can you guess what these two bands are?  You can always use the Contact Me page to find out.

Perry and Jason (#10) are sent off on errands and return with two corn cob pipes.

Carrie, Erica, and Brittany

I take a turn with the pipe but then my roomie wants to be in the pic to make it a Jason sandwich.

It’s just the two of us again.

Fran and Perry

Chad is off to do woman’s work in the kitchen: cutting tomato with a non serrated knife.  At least half of the C-team has to know how to do these things!

Erica and Renee (#11) enjoy the cool breeze in the stairway.

Forrest (#12) and Jason (#13) AKA Les Paul

Brian (#14) and Sandy (#15)

Alli (#16) and Daniel (#17)

The crew waits as the storm brews.

Here comes the rain.

Erica brings her scrapbook to share the story of her and HeeJun.

Somebody’s got the munchies!

Patrick (#18) and Claudia (#19)

Ashley (#20) and Nate (#21)

Neighbors Julie (#22) and Jim (#23)

Perry is always the man at the grill.  He makes the tastiest eats!

Nick (#24), Kevin (#25), and Jonathan (#26)

Angela (#27), Erica (#28), and Mike (#29)

The food is done!

The boys (#30 an #31) enjoy some chow and then corn hole with their dad Doug (#32).  Evidently, these two fellas are corn hole sharks.

We’re still trying to figure out how to get everyone away from the patio and steps.

We move the collage inside with the donation jar.

Brandon (#33) and April (#34)

If you want to know the story of the lemonade, check out Erica’s site.

Angela and Doug (#35)

I’m not sure what’s going on here.  It’s like they are both trying to bomb each other’s photo but then they’re not.

Carrie and Jen (#36)

Doug and Angela check out the scrapbook while Claudia ducks down.

This is what call a koozie fail.

Russel (#37) is on the scene with his cooler which doubles as his personal refrigerator in his RV.

When there are boys, there are White Owls and corn cob pipes.  Talk about keeping it classy.

Brittany, me, Elizabeth (#38), and Julie

Phi (#39), Golf (#40), and Anny (#41)

Rikk (#42) rejoins our riding buddies

The boys are creating a plan to go to Miami.  As the night progresses, the plan is sounding less appealing as the reality of a 13 hour car trip sets in.

Liz (#43), Erica, and Amory (#44)

Corn hole is all the rage.

I show Russel how crazy our home is.  In this one shed, there are 7 bikes.  You can’t see the little one in front.  Bike #8 is in the other building.  Goodness!

Erica draws for the Cycle Gear gift certificates that Fran generously donates.

Claudia wins one ticket but the second winner is still a mystery.  Blog readers and party attendees: check your pockets.  You may have the winning ticket!

It’s time to count the donations.  The generosity of our group is amazing!

Erica finally gets to do what she’s been longing for: using my Oreck : )

Her sister Brittany is trying to rival my Japanese Tourist title.

See the knocked over ottoman beside Jason?  See how his eyes are closed?  There’s only one word to describe this: D R __ __ K

It’s amazing that about 50 people raised over a $1000 for Campus Outreach to honor HeeJun’s memory.  This money will be used to send students to Christian based trips and conferences.  It shows how a few people can make a BIG difference.  Thank you!

It all started with a small sign along the side of the road.  Next is an offer from Mark to go off-roading.  Instead he opts for the regular road and we find our way to Cater Pots by Robin and Daniel.

After my pottery classes, I learn that potters try to use similar glazes as a signature.  However I learned the main reasons are because it’s so expensive and time consuming to mix, once you buy it and get it ready, you want to use every last drop!

Artistic folks see art in everything!

I’m really loving the panoramic feature on my camera.  Take a look at the great pottery!

You can see the workshop through the door on the left.

I’m amazed to see that the wife of the duo throws standing up.  I can see the advantage of doing so because after being on the wheel a while, my back definitely gets tired.

The husband preferred to do sculpture and hand built items.

Eva listens intently as the potterer speaks.

Mark uses some of his expertise to determine this cat must be pregnant.  See the surprise on his face when the owner calls the cat Oz and confirms the cat is a male cat.  Miracles do happen!

Beside the original Pottery Barn were some outlet stores.

The dogs stay on the top floor and peer over the railing at the visitors.

Fortunately Eva makes us not look like bums and buys something.

I love these paintings on the wall.  Who doesn’t love a BIG deal at Sam’s Club?

No matter where you go, there you are.  This cat knows the business.  It’s a good thing since he’s a pregnant male cat.

Eva and JP explore the other corner of the house.

Out int he country, the potters are very green and air dry their clothes on a clothesline.  I consider myself equally as green because I use the energy efficient setting on my dryer.  I don’t do that to be green, just to save money on utilities.

Classic taste never goes out of style.

Baa emerges in the show again.

Eva decides to use her pottery as a potpourri pot and prunes back Mark’s rosemary plant to get her herbs.

Despite the hot conditions and lengthy wait time, the staff go out of their way to make the patrons comfortable.  They have girls serving samples and cold water constantly to the folks in line.  It keeps the natives from getting too restless.

I have a feeling I’ll be eating Pinkberry between the hours of 5 and 7pm.

I just love love love the panoramic feature.  It allows me to take in an entire scene like the view where you walk into the first Pinkberry in NC.

Trendy chairs and small stones make up the floor in this trendy spot.

The summer’s exclusive flavor is watermelon Pinkberry.  I try some in one of the many samples the girls offer in line.

Similar to my experience at Yoforia, Pinkberry also has instructions on How to Pinkberry.  Why is it all of a sudden society has to be taught how to eat frozen yogurt?  I’ve also heard this stuff legally can’t be called frozen yogurt because it actually doesn’t have much yogurt in it.  Are we that slow as a society that we need step by step instructions on how to order fro yo?

For the budget conscience, here are are the prices although you can be like me and just eat the stuff when it’s:

1. Free
2. 1/2 off during happy from 5 – 7pm
3. with a coupon

It’s hard to justify paying this much for stuff that’s not really ice cream or yogurt but you can get all kinds of junk on top.

Which brings us to toppings…

In addition to the usual choices like we see at Yoforia, we have a whole new slew of things to try like praline hazelnut crunch and waffle circles.

In the end, the creations are made.  I choose a watermelon and mango swirl with fresh fruit toppings and a wafer circle. 

Is it good?  Yes.  
Is it worth the price (free)?  Yes.
Is it worth the hour and a half wait?  No.

As with many things in life, after waiting about 30 minutes, I decide that I’ve invested too much time to turn back.  I finish the mission and leave with some free fro yo for my belly.  In the future, I probably still won’t turn down free ice cream (or whatever this is).  Instead, I may bite the bullet and pay half off for this food item during happy hour if it means I get to skip the wait.  At least I can say I was both at the first sampling and the grand opening.  Like anyone else cares.  Cheers! 

Shane is fishing for a goat.

To round out the scene is hanging clothes to dry on the outdoor lamp post.

Can we say munchies?

Eva and JP join the crew.

John and Justin are also late arrivals on two wheels.

Mark makes some adult orange juice AKA Flip Juice.

Evidently I am supposed to tend to the bonfire while everyone is gone.  I didn’t realize this until everyone is back and the fire is out.  Never fear, Chad saves the day (and the fire).

When there are boys and a lot of land, there are go-karts.

First everyone takes a turn trying to start the go-kart.  John can’t even put down his beer to pull the cord.

There is more investigating until a vital needle drops out.

It’s literally like looking for a needle in a haystack when the jet needle is lost in the grass.

Moving on to more important things, Perry is once again at the grill.

Baa feasts on pistachio shells.  For a goat that normally eats everything, Baa is only interested in licking the salt off the shells and spitting them back out.

This is what I call 3-2-1: 2 guys and a goat, a guy and a goat, and finally just a guy.  As the night falls, the people and animals disappear.

Baa always steals the show.

We come full circle as we start at the Pines and we end at the Pines.  After all, it’s THE place to eat in Sparta.

On the way out, I spot this business card.  I read it, re-read it, have Mark read it, re-read it again and still have no idea what this person’s job is.

Mark is the dog whisperer…

…and the goat conductor.

Rocketman’s exhaust stoppers are too small for his new pipes but they serve their purpose.

It’s time to fill up the truck with inner tubes.

How did the photo bomber’s shirt change color so fast?

Don’t ask why Jason and Perry are always doing something too intimate in photos.

We’re in the chase vehicle which is a good thing considering two tubes flew out the back of the truck.  In an effort to reclaim one tube, the window seal is a temporary casualty.

Who wants to play throw the inner tube around Perry’s neck?

I never thought I would see a purpose built trailer for hauling inflated inner tubes.

Fran took a break from the books for this occasion.

Brotherly love with Janel

It must be a windy day!

This is the “adult” part of the New River Tubing crowd although I wonder what defines an “adult.”  This group uses the term loosely.

Janel, Shane, Fran, Perry, Mark, Chad, me, Jason

Who forgot to wear their white shirt today?

Real brotherly love is when you share pulling the cooler together.

We see some high dollar specialty floats with canoe paddles.

Captain Morgan saves the day.

There is a lot of butt checking going as we glide over the rocks.  At some places, the water is three inches deep so Perry stands up and walks along the river.

We exchange cameras to take pics and then my camera gets stranded on J’s inner tube.

Janel is living the high life on a big raised tube.

Fran is extending her hand so that I can get connected to the group on the rope.

The fellas are lounging.

This is another definition of the word “adult.”  Notice the soft focus (AKA condensation on the lens) on my swamp butt.

Towels are hard to come by for drying off.

The store is home to Fran’s man with the confederate flag doooo rag.

Fortunately the tubes are secured better on the return trip.

As with dual sport rides, we have a few articles of clothing that are sacrificed.  Ironically both of them happened to be mine.  Go figure.

It was all worth it though for a great day of another new activity – tubing on the New River!

Mandy and John have migrated back to the Charlotte area.  The last we saw these two, they were unmarried but now they are more than just Facebook official.  Congratulations!

David chows down on his chips and salsa.

Roomies enjoy BBQ on a hot sunny day.

Momma Kim joins the family.

Cris arrive and empties his wallet for me.

Jason and Jeff join the crew.

A few bikes made the trip to a very bright and sunny Mac’s Speed Shop.

A few European bikes made it out tonight although the Japanese cars where out in force.

The weather is being strange as where Kevin came from it’s thunder and lightening yet he braves it to show up to the land of sun!

Nelson shows off one of his many creation.  I finally understand where Nelson works as he asks me about modeling the clothes.  It makes sense now!

These pop up thunderstorms suddenly appear as fast as they disappear.  The problem is it always seems like they pop up right when you pull your bike out to ride it.  As soon as you put your bike away and get in your car, they go away – guaranteed!

When you see the rest of the scene, it still doesn’t make any sense.

Zoolander at its best.

Add PBR and Silly Bandz and the party is out of control.

When you throw a bucket of KFC out on the table, people come out of the woodwork!

Here’s an up close shot of his connect the dots t-shirt.

This is me working hard… or hardly working.

Win a prize on the www.antirider.com website by correctly identifying the photo.  Entries can be submitted via the Contact Me page.  The winner will win a personal email response from me.  Wow!  Come on, this is a low budget operation.  We’re spending all of our money on donuts.  I know y’all really don’t care so here’s the deal: no one can figure out what this is.  Please enlighten me so I can enlighten my readers.  Thanks in advance!

Happy Birthday Julie!  I doubt you’ll ever see this but it’s out here on your special day.