There's a cabin in a valley

my grandpa built on your land,

Your mountains are a canvas for the Maker's hands

(Carolina - Eric Church)

My family (minus my dad, who wasn't able to join in on the fun) road tripped to Hayesville, North Carolina in a typical Bowers fashion:

 Junk food indulgences, country music singalongs, Chick-fil-a pit stops, handwritten directions, paper maps, and a relatively few meltdowns. 

We've been making this trip every summer since my birth, so a 12 hour car ride ain't no thang for JB, Stevie Boy, and I.
(Based on the prescense of Summer Dog and Steve-o's braces, you'll notice this picture was taken a couple summers ago.)

Tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains of southwestern North Carolina, Hayesville is a little slice of heaven. And a true Small Town, USA. Like, there's not even a Walmart folks.

Upon arriving to my grandparent's elegantly rustic riverfront cabin, we were joined by my uncle, his girlfriend, his three kids, and his dog. 

Dalton (age 9), Erica (age 6), and Ethan (age 11).
I have worked with hundreds of kids over the past two summers, so I think that means I'm qualified to say that my cousins are the most precious children alive.

My cousins, brothers, and I all shared evenings of catching fireflies, nights of sleeping on the back porch, and days full of singing, dancing, and laughter.

(Baby lock the door and turn them lights down low/ cream cheese and a bagel, glass of milk and an ego/ dance until the world ends/ like SpongeBob stackin' krabby patties/ SHAWTY GOT THEM APPLE BOTTOM JEANS...inside jokes.)

We were eleven people 

and two dogs

under one roof. 

And man, was it fun. 

We played on the lake:

Uncle Ric tossing children overboard.

You'd be hard pressed to find anything cuter than these little blonde, freckle faced 'Bama boys. 

There is never a dull moment with Jeffery Allan Bowers II. 

We thanked Papa for his captainship in the hot sun throughout our days on the lake, and his response:
"What, you don't think I'm having fun watching my grandkids having fun? I love this."
He is so great and I love him dearly.

Ethan and Dalton both learned how to wakeboard on this trip.

 Dalton grinning ear to ear. I would too if I could ever get up on that darned old thing.

Tara and Erica, teamwork.

Stephen being...Stephen.

Catching rays, not wakes. 

We played in the kitchen:

Learning everything there is to know about frying okra.
My Nana is the queen of down home Southern cookin'.

The first (and only) cup of coffee I ever drank. Maybe I'll try to start liking coffee when it isn't six thousand degrees outside.

We played on the river:

Skipping rocks behind the cabin.
A precious 15 minutes that I stored away in my memory banks.

"Now THIS is my speed." - Mama

My Nana. How cute is she?!

Team Shred.
(Yes, Dalton is holding up a squash.)

We played at the running trails:

Mom is training for a half marathon and I was happy to join her on these picture perfect trails. 

Lake on one side, valleys on the other.
I must have said "Mom, I feel like I'm running in a dream! This is SOOO gorgeous!!" about a hundred times. 

We pretty much just played the whole time:

We may or may not have scared the children with ghost stories about the Banjo Man. If you have ever seen Deliverance you would know what I am referring to...

Rockin' out to some Josh Turner...with zucchinis. Normal.

Dancing 'til the world ends, B-Spears style.

Papa has cut a "golf course" in the yard for the past few summers.  Always a crowd pleaser.

Now can you see why I'm so obsessed with my family?

Gosh, I love them. 

And the mountains. I love the mountains. 

As much as I adore my little fishing hometown, I don't know who I'm kidding saying "oh, you know, I'll probably just live in Stuart my whole life..."

Because, to me, it doesn't get much better than the sprawling countryside of the Carolinas.

Eric Church says it best:

I hope you all were able to enjoy a relaxing and wonderful vacation this summer!