Best Road Trip In Ages Pt.3

So our third day away from home and we're really missing Logan, but we resist the urge to call home and check up on the kids.  They have to learn to stand on their own, like little Logan is doing here.  The previous night had brought a new noise which sounded like a military helicopter zooming past the window.  Some of the gang is talking about going to town for the Sunday flea market.  Marcy & I already have a flea market in our house so we opt to hang out at the Johnson home.

Dan & Rosario are both fans of Art Deco/Nouveau and have a lot of neat pieces around the house.

Rookwood, if I'm not mistaken.

Mark's peppers, grown in the soil of Shandon.

When I was a kid my dad worked for Diamond company up in Middletown, making wire-screen forms for these paper-pulp egg cartons.  These eggs are nothing like the massive commercial egg recall I heard about on the news today.  They are different sizes and colors, with rich yellow yolks.  I met the chickens who laid these eggs and I saw the yard they run around in and eat from.  They are not "Matrix Eggs".  Raising chickens is very do-able.  I bet someone near you has chickens and might trade you some eggs.

Everyone has gone to the flea market so Marcy enjoys some quiet time by the fire before we hit the shower.

And we enjoyed some quality time with Rosario.

She told us some great travel stories...

And she shared some photo albums with some great pics of Mayan Ruins and scuba diving and such.  She and Dan are both certified to dive.  That's fascinating!

"That sounds so nice..."

This is Eric Day, an entomologist at Virginia Tech.  In addition to knowing his bugs, he is a member of the Virginia Christmas Tree Growers Association and he has that asparagus farm with Nan.  Nice guy, smart, not afraid to get dirt (or bugs) on his hands.  Everybody is back from the flea market.  Time for a snack and then something really special.

~ The Honey Heist ~

Eric advised me to tuck in my shirt so no bees would confuse me for the hive.  You better believe I took his advice!

Dan smokes the hive.

Got the top lid off, showing the hanging frames of combs , with room for the bees in between.

This is a foundation for a new comb, not much built up yet.

This comb shows a lot of bee-labor put into it.

Here is the entry to the hive.  Do you see any fat drones amongst the workers?

Dan re-assembles the hive carefully so as not to squash any bees.  If one gets hurt it sends out a pheromone that alerts the entire hive.  We all are careful about where we step, squat, or move at all.

The Bees Brothers?

A loaded comb.

Dan & Rosario's daughter Autumn, 19,  watches intently.

I hope she knows how cool her parents are.

Whew, what a day!  But it's not nearly over.  I still have go in search of Monarch Butterfly habitat with Eric and Dan makes goat vindaloo for dinner, and then we sit around the bonfire again...We might be able to wrap up this trip in one more big post.  Join me for the thrilling conclusion next time!