Weekend Fun

It was great being able to spend time with my sister before she leaves for Myanmar this week. On Friday we went for a hike at Umstead Park. Nala probably had the most fun because she got to swim and run like a crazy dog in one of the creeks. It was nice to be able to go for a relaxing walk in the shade on another 95 degree day.
That night we went out to eat at the Big Easy, a cajun restaurant downtown. After we ate we went to the Flyer Saucer where they have over 80 beers on tap. We had fun until my sisters friend got a little crazy. Actually there was nothing little about it, the girl is crazy.

Me and My Sis

My sister is here visiting for the week while she takes an AP Biology certification class at NC State.  On Saturday night we went out with two of my girlfriends to The George a restaurant in downtown Raleigh.  I am sure she is going to post the same picture on her blog....but of course mine is better :)

Kayaks Are Not So Easy to Flip

At work we have an outdoor adventures program where we rent outdoor gear at a really low cost to students/faculty/staff. 2 kayaks, 2 pfd's, 2 paddles, 2 car kits, and 2 pumps for the weekend for only $28, well free for me because I work there. But you get the point, cheap! So Kyle and I decided to get kayaks for the weekend and be adventurous. On Saturday we went to Lake Raleigh and just paddled around, Kyle had never been so we went small. It was fun for a little until I freaked out. We were paddling through a small creek area and my paddle got caught on a vine and brought me into the bushes. Well that would have been fine, except a huge spider fell off the plant and on to my leg. Of course I freaked out. I was actually trying to flip the kayak over to get in the water and out of the boat with the spider. But no, the kayak was so sturdy I couldn't flip it. So I had to kill the spider. This entire time I am looking rediculous and Kyle has no idea why. Finally I caught my breath and told him there was a spider in my boat and he didn't understand why I thought being in the water was a better option than just dealing with the spider. He doesn't understand why I am afraid of them.

Sunday was much better. This time we went big and packed a picnic to take with us to Jordan Lake. There were a bunch of people kayaking on the lake with us. We kayaked for a while, stopped and ate lunch and went for a swim, and then paddled back. On the way back we were going against the wind and the current was pretty strong. My arms are sore today.

4th of July at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland

Kyle and I headed up to the DC/Maryland area to spend the 4th of July with his family.  The Day's own a lake house at Deep Creek in the mountains of Maryland.  We got there on Wednesday and came home today.  The majority of time we were there it was cloudy or rainy. The temperature was only in the low 70's during the day so of course I was cold.  We had a good time relaxing with the family.  Unfortunately I got stuck playing trivial pursuit, but luckily on was on the winning team.  I am horrible at trivia.

Yesterday we spent the day in DC with Kyle's cousin.  He just bought a new house on Cathedral Avenue, it is gorgeous.  We did a little sightseeing, ate sushi at Cafe Asia for lunch, went to see Hancock, and had peking duck for dinner.

View of the house from the boat

View of the house from the bottom of the hill

View of the dock from the house porch

Deep Creek Lake, Maryland

Happy 4th of July

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July.  I am headed to Washington DC tomorrow and then up to Kyle's cousins lake house in Maryland on Thursday.  Thank you Kyle's parents for watching Nala while we are gone.  I'll post pictures from the trip next Tuesday.

Nala and Grandma Barnhart