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A Visit With My Dad and Dianne
Back in the late 1970s, a friend and co-worker of my fathers purchased land in northern Bedford County. At first he went in on the property with another gentleman, but eventually, Bob Donovan purchased the complete property for a total of 51 acres backed up to National Forest.
Bob and Dad frequently went hunting together and Bob and his family enjoyed times spent at the cabin. Bob was eventually transferred first to Ohio, then to Canada and then to ABB in Connecticut. In 1994 he was named President of ABB. During this time, Bob still found time to come back and visit his land in Sedalia to hunt. Sometimes alone, sometimes with his family, because even though he left the area, that land meant a lot to him.
Dad was caretaker of the land in Bob's absence. He worked on the 200 year old cabin in place on the land. He created a lawn and slowly cut back some of the wilderness in the vicinity of the cabin. In exchange, he and his brothers would spend time there a couple of weeks a year hunting. I have fond memories of weekend visits with friends. We would play and explore the creek while Dad worked.
In April of 1996, Bob was on the plane along with Ron Brown and other leaders in the business community when it crashed near Croatia. Bob was only 54 years old. In his 54 years, he did more than many people do in an entire lifetime. You can read more about this amazing man here and here. In addition, he was a devoted family man (he had two children). He had written two books that were published and still available on Amazon.com. And he was active in his church.
We were devastated by his death. In the weeks that followed, Peggy, Bob's wife, contacted Dad and asked if he would like to buy the cabin and the 51 acres. She said that she knew Bob would want Dad to have the first chance at purchasing it. Which Dad did. And we have continued to spend time there. Dad has continued cleaning up the land and hunting there. It is a beautiful place and quiet and today we went and visited with Dad and Dianne, my stepmother. The children had a lovely time and I really enjoyed the day sitting on the porch and chatting. I helped Dad to put together an early birthday present from Dianne, a deer stand. And I enjoyed having a tasty belated birthday cake.
Here are some pictures of our day with my Dad and Dianne.
Katrina is the first to test out the new deer stand while Dad stands by. The seat is 14 feet up in the air. However, this tree was a bit small and so it was hard to keep the stand from wobbling. We then moved to another, larger tree, got it good and stablized and everyone wanted to join in the fun. Ashley paved the way. Brandon and Katrina relaxed in their high perch. Jack used the opportunity to see what he could see (and photograph).
Jack and Brandon spent most of their day at the creek. Trying to make more water flow over the water fall because we are in drought conditions here and the creek which in the past has been known to get too high to drive across, is now so low you can walk 1/2 way across the creek bed before getting your feet wet. They did finally take a few minutes to relax at the end of the day.
When Katrina came back up from the creek, she was dirty. Probably has something to do with sliding down the moss covered waterfall. So Dad fixed her up a wash tub to rinse off in.
There is one thing I don't like about the cabin and that is the swarms of gnats and no-seeums. And of all the things to forget, I forgot to bring bug spray. I can only use certain kinds, because some make me break out in hives. And I didn't have a hat. So I came up with an unusual solution to keep the gnats away.
We always see interesting wildlife while we are at the cabin. We didn't see any deer today. But we did see a hummingbird, a velvet ant, a cicada killer(which we watched in fascination as it killed a cicada), and a bat. The only one I had presence of mind to get a photo of was the bat, whom Dad and Dianne affectionately call Billy.
Dad and Dianne were gracious hosts. It was wonderful getting to spend the day with them. And the kids had a blast!
Looks like you had a wonderful time! I hate to say it -- but the bat actually looks....well...kinda cute!
And as for a cold, wet winter? I don't think I"m too thrilled about that!
Sherry
August 21, 2008 10:12 AMYAY for the girls! Katrina was the 1st one up there! LOL too funny!
LOVE the bat picture! It looks so cute!!!!
August 21, 2008 2:07 PMwow!!! your dad knew a President
Im sori about the accident
you reminded me of Little House on the Prairie
with the adventures you must have had as a child
wow 200 years old!!!
wouldnt you love to hear the walls speaking telling of the first family that ever lived there
"everyone wanted to join in the fun" arrrrrrrrrrr i wouldnt I have been known to freeze (with fear at only 5 foot off the ground).
what a beautiful shot of Katrina up the deer stand
is a deer stand used to observe deer
Ive never heard of one before
that wash tub reminds me of the Little House too
what is a no-seeum?
how long has Diane been your stepmom?
so you see your real mom?
sori Im nosy
a really interesting post my friend
Jen
