Caitlin's Kasey Kahne Collection

My daughter, Caitlin, had a great time at RIR in May. She waited for Kasey Kahne to exit the pits after qualifying but instead got Clint Bowyer's autograph on her 9 hat. Clint called her "sweetie," but she was less than enthused, since it's not who she went to see. She got tired of waiting for Kasey and was pretty crushed to have not seen him.

She enjoyed the race and cheered equally across all makes and models. She made it about half way through the race before she curled up on the bleacher and conked out.

Kasey, if you're reading this, a six-year-old in Virginia loves ya! Email us at jccjhiggins@gmail.com - she'll write back. :)

*The last three pictures in the slide show were snapped in Fall 2008 at Martinsville, when I was lucky enough to have pit passes.

fishing pocahontas

My husband surprised the three of us Saturday when he came home from a job earlier than expected. "Get up and get dressed," he said as he came through the door, as I was still perched on the couch in my pj's with the laptop at 11 a.m. (same place I was when he left a few hours prior).

A quick stop for a Virginia fishing license and we were off to Pocahontas State Park. It was pretty busy. We could smell the hot dogs before we came to the first pavilion. Ahh ... summer. The pool was full and the playgrounds empty.

We scouted the banks of Swift Creek Lake for a location that wouldn't inhibit the casting of a six year old and found an ideal spot. While our fishergirl did get nibbles, she didn't land anything. A little guy nearby caught his first fish, however. A bass, I overheard.

WHEN YOU GO:
* Parking: $4 weekdays; $5 weekends
* Events: Pocahontas Premieres concert series is $10/ticket + parking; advance purchase and season tickets available. 12 and under free. Three free concerts slated for 2009.
* Camping: $25 for electric & water
* Pet-Friendly
* Boating: $3 launch fee; no gas-powered; rent a canoe or kayak
* Swimming: varies by age (free to $8)
* Hiking, biking & bridle trails; no bike or horse rentals
* Seven picnic shelters

Enjoy Virginia's State Parks - voted "America's Best".

a great mennonite-run greenhouse

A most welcome highlight to my day was a stop by a greenhouse I used to frequent with my mother. Milmont Greenhouses on Route 340 in Stuarts Draft, VA has the best prices on gorgeous, overflowing hanging baskets! I took home two beautiful 10" purple Calibrachoa baskets for $14.99 each. While that was the reason for my stop, your adventure will yield trees, shrubs, Henri Fountains, a wide variety of potting goods, gardening clogs and tools, flags, and of course, row upon row of flats full of annuals and perennials.

If you find yourself traveling through the Valley tomorrow (May 30), be sure to swing by for their Rose Festival. You'll score 10% off roses and rose accessories, plus be greeted with free homemade strawberry ice cream!

While you're in the area, visit The Cheese Shop. It's a hop, skip, and a jump down Route 340 to a right on Tinkling Spring Road. Yes, you can certainly buy cheese there, as well as bulk wheats, grains, cereals, spices, nuts, flours, and the list goes on. It's a true organic's paradise and even offers gluten-free products. We love the trail mix and bulk pretzels. Like Milmont, The Cheese Store is proudly run by Mennonites, and you're sure to return to both treasures to take advantage of the tremendous savings.

Happy Valley Shopping!