Gone to Carolina, Segway tour of Historic Corolla...

When planning this Carolinas trip, 

we found lots of fun options for our 
"let's try something new" bucket list activity. 

We narrowed it down to hang gliding, surfing, or riding Segways. 

A Segway Tour of Historic Corolla on the Outer Banks won. 

The morning of the Segway tour came and I was a little nervous 

but our guide, Justin, was terrific. 

He had Hunter hop right up and show us how it was done. 
The twigs were total naturals. 
We all practiced in the parking lot behind the Segway shop 

before we were turned loose on Corolla. 

We had to be able to get on and off the Segway without help
(which was harder for some of us than you might imagine), 

make the contraption go forward, stop, and do a zero point turn.

We also had to be able to line up the chubby Segway wheels 

so we could go through spaces barely larger than them. 

It really wasn't long and we were on our way. 

Justin told us the history of the Outer Banks 

and showed us the Whalehead Club

and the Currituck Lighthouse. 

The history was interesting but mostly, 
we just loved zipping around on the segways!! haha

Sign us up - we're ready and raring to ride Segways anytime!

Gone to Carolina, Mt. Airy or Mayberry...

Have you ever heard of the Andy Griffith show? 

Don't you just love it!?!

We totally do and have watched every episode many times. 

One of the first things you hear as a missionary when you get a call 

to the North Carolina Charlotte Mission 

is that Mt. Airy is in the mission. 

Mt. Airy is the town where Andy Griffith grew up 

and the town his show was based on. 

Zac never got to serve in Mt. Airy but we had to go visit. 

It was different than I'd imagined as they didn't actually film the show

 in Mt. Airy 

so the courthouse wasn't there and Andy's house wasn't there. 

However, the town has made a little tourist area

with some mock buildings, 

cars, 

and a museum. 

We love Mayberry!

Gone to Carolina, Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls...

If you search images of North Carolina 

you're guaranteed to see this unique sandstone and clay monolith. 

(photographer unknown)

The internet pictures got us hook line and sinker 

so we found a way to fit 

Chimney Rock State Park into our Carolina plans. 

The 26 story elevator that used to whisk visitors to the top of Chimney Rock

 for a gorgeous view 

is closed to the public these days

so this is your 

500 step little jaunt to get to the top. 

(photographer unknown)

Off the main stairs, 

there were lots of detours 

that led to caves, 

overlooks, 

a little gift shop on top of the mountain next to the monolith

and more trails.

It was a blast!

This stairway led to the Hickory Nut Falls hike. 

We loved the lush green trees and the cool water!

Love ya beautiful Carolinas!

=D

Gone to Carolina, a blessed people...

Our favorite part of visiting the Carolinas 

was the people we met. 

(Pechacek Family) 

(Bills Family) 

The same people that have won a piece of Zac's heart 

(Johnny)

(President and Sister Alexander)

(Knoop Family)

(Smith Family)

(Jessup Family)

(Shepherd Family)

They were kind and clever, 

(Kelley)

(Brother Smith)

full of faith and optimism,

(Rachel and Hoss)

(Brother Roper)

(Castaldo Family)

the salt of the earth. 

(Ruppe Family and Naoko)

Zac didn't have phone numbers, addresses, or facebook messenger

(Sanders Family)

for some people

(Netherland Family)

(Reynders Family)

so I wondered how they'd react when we knocked on their door 

(Canty Family)

and said "surprise!"

(Brother Simmers)

They couldn't have been more welcoming!!

(Sister Foy)

(Love Sister Foy's photo bombing horse ;)

(Dave the mailman)

Thank you dear friends for being so good to our Zac.

<3

(Dwayne)

"...no more strangers and foreigners but

fellow citizens with the saints

and of the household of God."

-Ephesians 2:19

We missed getting pictures with the
Christensens, Watsons, Chalmers, Butchers,
Janet, Tim, Brian, and Sister Porter
but we love them too!