Sea Urchins

Memorial day weekend in the eyes of many is the kick off to summer. The usual Memorial Day tradition is to go camping in Luray. This is a weekend full of smores, swimming, antiquing, and the annual volleyball tournament. This year this event did not commence, however the events that did were very memorable and lots of fun was had.

FRIDAY
This spectacular weekend began on Friday with an evening of PITS. I know, you say what is PITS. PITS stands for "Playing in the streets" an open mic type of event that has just begun. This was a good time of singing, live music and being able to hang out with great friends from church. Friday ended hanging out with the one the only Dowker and his lovely girls.

SATURDAY
Saturday commenced with doing some yard work at "The Manor", it is finally finished at least what I had set out to accomplish this year. The evening agenda held a trip to King George, to Jenna's birthday. Carpooling with us were Kristen and Debra, freezing in the back due to Josh needing to have the top down on the JEEP. The party was a good time, I experienced adult sized "bouncy balls" for the first time. I of course found them to be dangerous, why wouldn't I! However, I looked past the danger and participated in a bouncy ball race. All the while Damian and a few others were betting that I would be the first to fall off the bouncy ball. Sure enough I did fall off the ball and cheering commenced.... The good name of "The Nation" was misrepresented that night by my lack of bouncy ball athleticism. The night ended with good music and a trip home in the JEEP with the top back on.

SUNDAY
Sunday we did Q-town music and then headed to my parents house. Sunday was pretty uneventful, however we did go and see Prince Caspian. I really liked the movie, and was told that I would because I have not read the book. Whatever the case may be I liked the movie..

MONDAY
Monday began with a classic holiday or weekend wake up call by my favorite and only bro in law.. Not too bad this time, he waited till 9:30am. We spent the AM hanging out with Jon, shopping, riding through town in the JEEP with the top down. At lunch I experienced Allman's BBQ for the first time, very good not gonna lie. We returned home mid afternoon and loaded up the JEEP for my first Kayaking trip. I was very much so looking forward to it. The ride to Aquia Landing was awesome. The top was off the JEEP and the doors at this point, it was a beautiful day not too hot or too cold. We arrive at the landing and begin unloading the Kayaks, as I am dodging bugs left and right. Josh decided that we would launch off the rocks, if you have ever been to Aquia Landing you will know what I am talking about. This was quite the challenge, for me the newbie to try to balance myself on these rocks while getting into the Kayak. However I was successful and the paddling began. It was a nice little paddle, flat water no worries of tipping over. We saw some Swans and a few fish jumping. Then we came into the merk of nasty sea weed. I know, you say you weren't at sea Jadey but that is all I know to call it. It got so bad at one point I stopped paddling, because my paddle got stuck in the weeds and I almost tipped over. Oh, dear to think if I would have fallen into that mess. However, I decided to keep trying due to Josh being far ahead of me. It was at this point that I actually threw sea weed up onto my arms and I immediately freaked out. I started whining and Josh looks back, all to say a typical Burke comment. "I guess Kayaking was a bad choice". I quickly get the sea weed off of me and try to start paddling again. Upon looking down toward my paddle I notice this little creature making his/her way up my arm. I again freak out and call ahead to Josh, "Icck, I have a Sea Urchin crawling up my arm". Josh breaks into hysterics and informs me of what a Sea Urchin actually is. He paddles back to me and assures me I did not have a Sea Urchin on my arm. Whatever it was it was gross, but all in all I enjoyed the Kayaking voyage. I will definitely go again, just not at Aquia Landing. The night was capped off with attendance at Darcy's 2nd birthday party. It was a joy, a time of good fellowship, games and good food. This is one of the best Memorial Day weekends I have experienced and it will definitely make it to the list of weekends to remember.