10 Guineas + 1 Horse...

By: Erin

A couple weeks ago, I decided to take an updated photo shoot of Cloud, my miniature horse.  It turned out being rather comical as our ten Guineas were in the pen, also.  Through that time I learned that horses and guineas do not mix!  The guineas are rather loud and noisy which horses, especially Cloud, completely dislike.  To give you more of an idea, I've listed their different character traits below.

Guineas:

-Always like to be in a group, so they do their best to stick together

-They will get concerned at very small things and make a lot of noise

-Have been known to chase off coyotes and foxes  

-Are not extremely brilliant

-Are very noisy  

Cloud:

-Loves chasing things - any sort of animal

-Very determined to do what he wants

-Is moderately smart

-Is very energetic 

When I took him in the backyard he was immediately interested in the guineas.  After one run around, he decided to settle down to graze on the abundant grass. I was interested to see how long that would last!

The guineas are wondering what he is and if he'll be a threat

Settling down

Suddenly, the guineas were on a mission...

...it ended up that they were trying to figure out if Cloud's lead rope was a snake and what my camera bag was.

The guineas came over and started walking up to Cloud and surrounding him, squawking loudly.

You can clearly tell that Cloud is not happy by his ears!

Wherever Cloud was, there were the guineas!

It seems that Cloud is thinking, "I am going to get them now!"

Between bites of grass, I managed to get several more "calm" pictures of Cloud.

Cloud was suddenly distracted by a tractor, but soon returned to chasing the noisy guineas.

The guineas are now very disturbed by being chased.  Fortunately for them, Morgan came out and called Cloud, who was very interested in finding out if she had a treat with her.

Trotting over to Morgan.

Anyway, this is a glimpse into photo shoots with animals...you never know what you are going to get!

"Rejoice in the Lord always."  (Philippians 4:4)

Happy 10th Birthday, Joseph!

Joseph Phillips

Happy Birthday, Joseph!  We hope you have a wonderful day!  We are thankful for your helpfulness, cheerfulness, and delight in making others happy.  We pray that God will abundantly bless this year ahead and that He would continue to draw you closer to Him.  We love you!

Joseph at Peaks of Otter, Virginia.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you 

will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

(Philippians 1:6)

Adventures in Virginia - Part 2

By: Erin

Here is Part 2 of our Virginia adventures!  If you missed Part 1, click here.

Thursday:

The incredible view from our friend's house that we got to see every morning!

Our first stop was Peaks of Otter, a small bed & breakfast, restaurant, 

and gift shop that surrounds Sharp Top Mountain.

Sharp Top Mountain (we've hiked it several times!)

This place is a photographer's paradise!

We are always amazed at the friendliness of the deer.

Throughout our trip we saw many Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies.

After walking around the lake we went to Cascading Falls - a family favorite hike!

Isaac, Luke, Benjamin, and I decided to do something a little different, 

so we climbed up the waterfall!

Resting at the creeks

Isaac calls this micro-fishing!  He caught four different fish the size of the one above.

Safely back!  And enjoying the beautiful view as the sun sets!

Friday:

This trail is legendary!  Last year I had found this hike on the internet, and all of us were really excited because it included a lot of rock climbing.  (You may remember our trip to VA last year in the mountains.)  After driving around for a while, not being able to find it (which was probably the problem on my part as I should have researched it more!), we decided to stop at the next trail we found.  Then it poured on our way back down...  So, since we couldn't find it last year, we decided to try again - this time with more research on my part.  I thought I had figured everything out.  We learned that you got to the top of the mountain via Belfast Trail, and from looking at the pictures last year, our iPhones said that we were on the Belfast Trail.  More confusion...  Then I remembered!  At the top of the mountain we hiked last year, there was a small foot-trail that continued up the mountain which we had thought was one of those trails people made from wanting to get different views around the top of the mountain.  Now, this year we were at it again!  We made our way to the trail we hiked last year and began walking.  We got to a small sign telling us we were on the Sulpher Springs Trail.  Wait.  Weren't we supposed to be on the Belfast Trail?  After discussing it, Isaac suggested we get back on the road and travel father down.  After we had driven about five minutes, we rounded a bend and there it was - a tiny little sign that said Belfast Trail (above picture)!  We were so thankful to find it and grimaced at what would have been a problem when we got to the top of the Sulpher Springs Trail and had not found the rock yard - again!  We are so thankful for God working everything out and for Isaac's good sense!! 

At last!  The rock yard!

A beautiful wide angle view from half-way up the rock field.

It looked like we were again going to experience rain, but it was never more than a slight drizzle.

Afterwards, we went back to Peaks of Otter.

Flat Top Mountain

Dinner with Dad's brother and his wife!

The picture taken before we headed home. 

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. 

And the evening and the morning were the sixth day."

(Genesis 1:31)