Gators, Golf and Get-a-ways

It is Sunday evening and Steve and I have returned from a weeks vacation in Hilton Head.  It was a great week.  The weather was perfect every day.  We walked the beach, rode our bikes all over the island (one day we rode 32 miles), played golf and ate most meals out.  We took an hour boat ride to Savannah and toured the historic district.  Our friends Wayne and Toni Myer were also in Hilton Head the same week (not planned) so we got together with them a couple of times.  It was a good week...except for the fact that I had a terrible cold the entire time! 

                                                                  beautiful Oak tree in Savannah

My greatest golf shot was...over a pond...bounce off an alligator's tail and land three feet from gators mouth.  I let the gator keep the ball!

                                                                          
We then headed home on Saturday stopping by the Smoky Mountains.  We took a short hike and just enjoyed the beauty of the mountains.

                                                                    
                                       So that is the news from the Ridge...now for the family.

Last Thursday the Lupov's had a celebration.  Mackenzie signed her contract with SIMG for three years.  Grandpa took the Lupov's, Jochim's, and Dicken's out for a celebration dinner at the Irish Lion.  Congratulations to Mackenzie and Ivan.

Also, Mackenzie and Ivan have started planning their vacation for next year.  It sounds simple amazing.  They will be traveling to Switzerland in July.  Hiking in the Swiss Alps.  After that they will go to Bulgaria  to visit with Ivan's mom.  Mackenzie you will have to share your travel plans with all of us so that we can see where you will be going.

This coming Friday Garrett will be leaving the wild inner city life for the wild mountain life.  He is going to take some guys backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.  I believe they will be hiking and camping for two nights.  Let's all say a prayer for Garrett and those boys.  Last I heard the nights were getting down to about 28 degrees in the mountains!!

That is all of the news for now from the Ridge.  Have a wonderful week and know that you are all loved!!