We are Sam and Kim Wilkins, and we are retired full time RVers in search of 70 degree weather. Our home is now a 42-foot fifth wheel.
We sold our home and most of our belongings in order to see what this great United States has to offer by way of beautiful scenery. Along the way we have met some of the nicest people.
What a busy month we have had. Being home has been an easy transition with lots to do. Sam turned another year older and received lots of phone calls and texts. Father’s Day was also a busy phone call and text day. At our age we’re past the party stage and gift giving is difficult since living in a camper with limited space so we just enjoy spending another day together in this beautiful West Virginia Lost River Valley. We also celebrated our 48th Wedding Anniversary. We took the opportunity to get some pizza and take it to see some family and spend the day with them. I can’t think of a better anniversary gift than to spend it with my family.
It was a pleasure to be a part of another HALT Foundation session; this time it was with a group of camp counselors from the Richmond area. It is always so very interesting to hear their initial fears of never really having been around large animals but then to see the transformation horses can make once they start interacting with them. They groom the horses to familiarize themselves with how gentle they become while getting special treatment. They learn how to gently persuade them to move or remain still with the slightest touch. Then they learn how to work together to accomplish tasks they never thought were possible. The looks of surprise and joy always put a smile on my face. If you or anyone you know would like to learn more about HALT you can go to thehaltfoundation.org to find out how many lives have been touched through horse therapy.
My granddaughter, Deandra, wanted to take her inflatable paddle board up to Trout Pond to try it out. It was such a beautiful day, the sun was shining and not a cloud in the sky. We saw lots of does and their fawns frolicking at the edge of the road on our way there. There were some kids in the swimming area and a couple of boats with fishermen, but it was pretty quiet. She hadn’t been to Trout Pond in quite a while and wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised once she got out on the water at just how beautiful it was. I walked around the pond taking pictures of the flowers and the rock formations along with those of Deandra out on the water. Any day spent with family is a good day especially in such a beautiful place on a perfect day.
My daughter, Sharon, brought two of my grandchildren, Penelope and Deandra, to the campground on a very hot day to try out the pool. This was my first time in the pool since we’ve been back as well. Penelope is like a little fish at age five and had such a great time. We enjoyed a picnic with grilled hot dogs afterward. What fun it was!
There was a wedding here at Lost River Campground, the camp hosts decided this was the perfect place, so Ken and Jen were united in marriage on a warm summer afternoon. They had lots of family in attendance along with many of their friends from the campground. What a beautiful day for a wedding. Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!
My sister, Dawn, had an MRI and the doctors told her there was NO new growth in her brain tumor. May 20 was a year since her surgery. We were overjoyed to receive that news! She left the doctor’s office to go to the airport to fly to Texas. She and her husband have visited 36 of the 52 major league baseball fields and watched a game. They plan to visit two in TX and then one in Louisiana before going back home to Princeton WV. Only 12 more to go!
Matthew is doing well; he has had a few times that his blood levels have not been adequate for treatments but waiting a week or even two has proven to be enough to let his body recoup enough to proceed. Your continued prayers are very much appreciated as he completes his journey on the road to full recovery and back to his life as an active 18-year-old.
Blessings till next time.
Kim
