Memorable Christmas Partying Moments!

Celebrating the Holidays!

Hope all the FOJ crew had an awesome Christmas and are enjoying the holidays! Be safe and have fun for New Year's Eve! Wishing everyone inner peace and happiness for the next year to come! A GREAT 2008!

Love to all of you!

Kathryn

Help Feed the World one Click at a Time

I heard this story on NPR this morning. A guy wanted to help his older son develop a better vocabulary for upcoming SAT tests. So he created a website that teaches you new words and for each correct answer 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN. In November over 4 Billion grains were donated. It costs you nothing as the site is supported by ads. Go to freerice.com and check it out. A great way to learn new words and help feed the world's starving population.

Billy

Cool!

That's a cool site, Nate! Here are mine:

10/30/58
Can't believe I'll be 50 next year, ugh. Funny thing is yesterday I looked up Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky and thought it was high time I read it.


Gavin Rossdale (1967)
Diego Armando Maradona (1960)
Harry Hamlin (1951)
Henry Winkler (1945)
Grace Slick (1939)
Claude Lelouch (1937)
Robert Caro (1935)
Louis Malle (1932)
Ruth Gordon (1896)
Charles Atlas (1893)
Ezra Pound (1885)
Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821)
John Adams (1735)

Who shares your birthday???...

Jan. 10th, 1971

Mine are...

Celebrities who share your birthday:

Pat Benatar (1953)
George Foreman (1949)
Rod Stewart (1945)
Sal Mineo (1939)
Gisele MacKenzie (1927)
Johnnie Ray (1927)
Paul Henreid (1908)
Ray Bolger (1904)
Grigori Rasputin (1869)

Go to this site and find out everything you need to know about you, including the moon phase in which you were born... and post!!!!

(http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp)

Be Aware! Holiday Scam Alert!!!

Do NOT sit on this mans lap!!!! It is a scam!!!

He may try to tell you he has toys for you, but... they are not the toys that you want around you, OR young children!!! The pictures his "little helpers" peddle are usually Polaroids used only for his own twisted desires! Under no circumstances should you disrobe, bend over to pick up a present, or "reach in to his stocking" for a "surprise". Remember this face---It is a short plane ride from Florida!!

Ready to Party at Frank's?

Just wanted to let the FOJ crew know that Kathy's Bed and Breakfast will be open for business after Frank and Dana's party this Friday night. I have two guest rooms available, and for those needing an economy rate, there is plenty of floor space for sleeping bags. There is a limited supply of sleeping bags, so reserve early if you need one. I will be serving a delicious breakfast casserole and coffee for my guests, and I'm sending out a special invitation to Frank and Dana and anyone staying at their place to join us as well. Reserve early, as my Bed and Breakfast is very famous! Looking forward to partying with everyone! See ya at Frank's!

Kathryn

Urban Kayak

The day after Turkey Day - Susan and I loaded the Kayaks on the Jeep and decided to explore MacArthur State Park on Singer Island. Singer Island is a barrier island dotted with ocean front, high rise condos. The intercoastal waterway cuts behind the island and borders the State Park. We stopped by our favorite deli, Seaside Deli, and loaded up with a big "Hoagie" and sodas. We drove the scenic drive up A1A that ribbons along the coast and found the entrance to the Park. The Rangers discouraged us from launching, because it was low tide. There was alot of wisdom in that warning. We saw some other kayakers sliding their boats in off of the road - we figured we would too. They got off unscathed, we got caught by the Game Warden who informed us that this was not a boat ramp. We were already in the water about 15 yards out - either he get his feet wet, shoot us, or let us go - he let us go. As we paddled out with all of the exotic birds of the Florida wetlands, the tide went out and left us on a large mud flat. After dragging the boats about 30 yards, we found deep water.

We paddled out to a little sandy spit - meanwhile pelicans were swooping down to gobble the stranded fish left by the low water, and fish were jumping clear out of the water escaping prey from below. Susan and I ate lunch on the sandy spit - she expressed some concern about the menacing clouds. We decided to return to the Jeep - but take a different route. We paddled along the Mangroves, and navigated a deep channel back to the road. We got the kayaks on the racks and headed south to avoid the rain. We were pooped - kayaking-dragging-ankle deep mud-kayaking-dragging-kayaking. good adventure - next time we'll check the tide chart!

White Grass Cafe reservations deadline

Any Friends Of Jay going to Blackwater Lodge this February and interested in having dinner at White Grass Cafe need to make their own reservations by January 15th. Jim & I prefer the late seating (8:00 p.m.) on Saturday night, February 9th. You can make reservations by email on their website, or call: 304 866-4114.

Carolyn

Pete's year-one tribute

Just wanted to share some photos from yesterday's tribute.
- Carolyn & Jim

Peter Paul Constanzer 1956-2006

Pete stories around our campfires have already been passed down to the next generation in our friendship circle. Every time we hear a Barred Owl call out across the mountains, or hear the crackle of a campfire, or kayak a mountain stream, or backpack a mountain trail, we will feel his presence. He will always be with us. We love you Pete.

A year ago....

A year can be a long time or a short time...all at the same time.

A year without a friend can be forever.

Jay's 50th birthday at David and Jessica's

Happy Thanksgiving from Nathan and Killian!

Christmas Cheer!

Join us for the Richmond Christmas Parade, Saturday, December 1st, Adams & Broad St. After the parade come back to Emrick Flat #37 for warm cider, Jim's chili, and more Christmas cheer (b.y.o.b.). If attending the parade you should be in place around 9 a.m. to get a good spot. If not attending the parade, we would still love for you to come by the flat after the parade.
- Carolyn & Jim

Petey

Here's a good one of Pete and Wayne

Happy Birthday, Jim!

Farewell Year 52! (I made you a West Virginia funeral cake for your birthday.)
Here's to a great Year 53, Young-un.
Love you,
Carolyn

Welcome, Klaus!

Welcome to Virginia, Klaus! FOJ has been keeping Vickie busy this summer, and I know she is very happy to have you here. Hope to see you soon!

Kathy

Post your favorite pics of Pete-!!! I'll start...

Tis the season...

To Give Kathy and Vickie Crap...

our new logo for... The few,... The proud,... The INDOOR ADVENTURE CREW's new logo for the holiday season

Merchant Millpond 2007

Just a few pictures from Merchant! If you'd like to see more, go to http://www.coolportfolios.com/CapeHouse2007/index.htm
Hope everybody made it back home ok :)
~ Vickie ~

Details of N.C. Burn Ban Rules

From N.C. Parks and Recreation ordinances...

- The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation is not permitting campfires at any of its campgrounds across the state. Campers will be allowed to use gas or propane stoves as well as charcoal cooking fires within a charcoal grill or campground fire ring with metal sides. State parks officials also warn that an adult must attend all cooking fires, and coals must be properly extinguished before disposal. The U.S. Forest Service is restricting campfires. Campers will have to rely on camp stoves if they wish to cook in the backcountry on federal park land. The U.S. Forest Service is not allowing fires anywhere in the backcountry, even for the purpose of cooking. If you want to have a campfire, you’ll have to stay at one of the U.S. Forest Service’s developed recreational sites where a fire ring or grill is provided.
- People in violation of the ban on open burning will be assessed a $100 fine and are at-risk of violating air quality regulations and possible local ordinances. Outdoor burning is also prohibited in areas covered by Code Orange or Code Red air quality forecasts.

Dismal Camping Trip

Thanks for sending the directions Carolyn! I found the park's website and there is a message however saying

NOTICE: Due to a bridge replacement project on Millpond Road, visitors traveling to the canoe rental area should follow an alternate route. To view these directions, please click here.

Also, here's a link to a more detailed map of the park which may be helpful.

~ Vickie ~

Bahamas - yo Mama

At the Bama Breeze

You can shoot some pool down there

You can act a fool down there

You can play it cool down there

At the Bama Breeze

You can drink some beer down there

Argue, laugh, and cheer down there
You're one of our own down there

You never drink alone down there

Good God I feel at home down there

Pass another year down there

Anyone out there...???

T-shirts are In!!!!

They showed up on my doorstep this afternoon and they look great!!! I will be checking orders and sizes this evening to make sure everything is correct. Major Props to Billy Rice who hooked us up with these guys! They did a great job, gave us a discount and were very friendly and helpful! I will try and coordinate between people to try and get you your shirts before the swamp, if possible, and If not I will bring them there for you! I'm excited! YEAH! Hope everyone is well!

Photos

Photobucket Album

Now it is my turn to put hermit crabs in YOUR beer!

Happy B-day Carly

Sorry I just heard it was yesterday but Happy B-day Carly! Hope you had a great one!

~ Vickie ~

Camping at Mt. Pleasant

This past weekend, I went camping with the new guy I'm seeing...Drag. I know you're thinking what kinda name is that, so I'll just get this overwith. His name is John; Drag is a nickname that comes from his last name. Anyway, we went to Mt. Pleasant in Amherst, VA, by Jim's recommendation (thanks Jim!). Its a 3 mile hike through the woods and then up a steep rocky mountainside, which was rough with a heavy backpack attached! But it was a beautiful hike- the leaves are changing colors up there, and there are huge boulder sized rocks all along the trail. Well, when we finally got to the top, we went even further to the overlook and camped right below one of the rock outcroppings (which ended up being a smart idea because the rocks blocked us from all the wind and kept us warmer at night!). We watched an amazing sunset from the rock outcrop, and once the sun went down, man did it get colder fast! It was so nice to get out of the city for a bit, and to hear such silence on the mountain top (although we did bring a little transistor radio and found an awesome bluegrass station at one point during the night!)

Well I cant wait for Millpond, which will most likely be the next time I get out in the woods!

heres a link to where we went:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/gp/recreation/points_of_interest/mt_pleasant_national_scenic_area/index.shtml

I have to run to work now so I'll put up a link to more pictures from the trip later!

Richmond Folk Festival 2007

So the Festival was a total blast! You can see Jimmy with his "Harem" (he converted very fast) and a couple of the band members he took care of. We danced to Salsa music and got quite a workout! We got to see Frank and Dana, and Jay too. Guessed what... Frank actually used his cell phone a few times! We made it back to the flat safely around 1 AM and lounged a little before calling it the day. The flat is looking AWESOME! You've got to see it! The paint is perfect for the space and the kayak in the alcove fits so well! Carolyn did the waves all by herself! Isn't it cool? I forgot to take a pic of the bedroom which has this beautiful red accent wall to echoe the couch. The hand made coffee table is one of my personal fav. Sunday we had a wonderful brunch at Mary's and I got to meet her daughter for the first time. Smart kid jeez! She's going for psychology, watch out! She's gonna have tons of work just with some of the extreme cases in this group... LOL

Anyways, TTFN,

~ Vickie ~

Welcome to the FOJ blog!

What you will find here:
Information on events we are planning, ideas, cultural info and a public display of friendship!
Ok starting with the FOJ t-shirts. Here's the link again if you haven't received Nathan's email:
http://customink.com/cink/r.jsp?E=kerouac2%40msn.com&F=foj2

Also, reminder, Merchant Mill Pond camping week-end scheduled for Nov. 9-11.

Carolyn, when is the Folk Festival again?

See you soon!

~ Vickie ~