Max Patch . . .

In March we made a trek up to Asheville to visit Chris. This was our window of opportunity: Chris was renting for a brief window of time a small cabin in Black Mountain where we could stay with him. It had been five years since I'd been up that way--Craig and Zach had visited him last June.

High points: Meeting Chris's friends. Lunch and a walk through the art studios along the river in Asheville. Hiking on the mountain around Chris's cabin. An outing to Max Patch.

Well, Max Patch (or the "grassy bald," as Craig called it) was disappointing. The view was okay, but the wind was relentless.

Nevertheless, Chris and I stayed busy capturing the moment with our cameras.




Craig painted this scene the last time he and Zach made the trip.

This time, it was all he could do to keep his hat from flying away.

So we headed down the mountain in search of a better picnic spot.

. . . which we found.

We all slept well that night. But I think Abbie made out the best.

Chris fixed us breakfast this last morning on the mountain.

has it really been five months?

Has it really been five months since Christmas?
And about eight since I made an entry?

Okay, so it's been awhile.

From now on, I'll try to be more productive and less prosaic.

Chris Chringle

This winter we finally had the snow Zach has been waiting for since 1999.
(Zach's not really this short.)

Who is this strange little creature?

A present??? For me???

This is what I get for being so good.

Thanks, Zach!