{"id":1429,"date":"2016-04-23T20:36:12","date_gmt":"2016-04-23T20:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1429"},"modified":"2016-04-27T12:06:27","modified_gmt":"2016-04-27T12:06:27","slug":"neuse-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/04\/23\/neuse-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Neuse news"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A year or so ago I came across a PBS show called\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.pbs.org\/food\/shows\/a-chefs-life\/\">A Chef&#8217;s Life<\/a> and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. \u00a0I liked the story, I like the farm to table concept and I like Chef Vivian&#8217;s involvement with the community. \u00a0Kinston NC sounded like a pleasant place to live. \u00a0Totally unrelated I was reading a blog from a full time traveling family (honestly don&#8217;t remember which) and saw that they stayed in Kinston, NC. \u00a0I put two and two together, added twelve and carried the five and realized that maybe we could stop through Kinston during our trip!<br \/>\n<a title=\"Date night\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26626962195\/in\/album-72157665220195504\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1689\/26626962195_f62a123680_n.jpg\" alt=\"Date night\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n <!--more--><\/p>\n<p>It didn&#8217;t take long for me to find several reports about the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.neusewaypark.com\/\">Neuseway Nature Park<\/a> that has very low cost, full hookup spots in a very nicely wooded area along the Neuse river. \u00a0There is a nature center, a planetarium and it&#8217;s just across the bridge from downtown. \u00a0It sounded like a great place to slow the pace down a bit and relax. \u00a0And that is how we ended up in Kinston, NC.<\/p>\n<p>The campground does not take reservations but I called the morning we were to arrive and he said he had plenty of room. \u00a0We showed up about 3:00, got a spot, checked in and then ran off to visit some friends in <a href=\"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/04\/19\/seeing-more-friends\/\">Raleigh<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The next day we woke up to a beautiful morning. \u00a0The birds definitely have a lot to say in the morning. \u00a0I went to the <a href=\"http:\/\/chefandthefarmer.com\/\">Chef and the Farmer<\/a> website to make a reservation and found out that it was going to be a couple weeks to get a spot!! \u00a0But it said to call if you couldn&#8217;t make an online reservation so I did just that and was able to secure a table for two&#8230;woot!! \u00a0Steph and the kids walked down to go checkout the nature center and planetarium while I stayed back to work. \u00a0There was a presentation at the planetarium at 4:00 that we all went to. \u00a0We were the only ones there beside the presenter. \u00a0She welcomed us, asked about our journey and told the kids about Kinston being in the Genius Files book series (the boys have read the series). \u00a0She started the presentation by showing the Saturn V launch scene in the movie Apollo 13 then went on to show us the North Carolina stars for April. \u00a0She pointed out lots of great constellations and fed us lots of data that was a good review from our star party at McDonald Observatory. \u00a0She gave the kids lots of attention and the kids showed me all the cool stuff in the science center. \u00a0That night was date night for Steph and I and I&#8217;ll do a full post on that later.<br \/>\n <a title=\"Open wide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26561427581\/in\/album-72157665220195504\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1617\/26561427581_242f2becac_n.jpg\" alt=\"Open wide\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nThe next day was a low key day with kids getting some book work done before we went over to the playground. \u00a0Steph ran some errands and I worked at a picnic table while the kids dug in the fossil pit. \u00a0Several other kids were digging too and one of the moms started chatting with Brielle and Dacen. \u00a0Like most folks we met in Kinston, she was a bit surprised to hear we were from Colorado and asked &#8220;what brings you to Kinston?&#8221;. The Ryan family is from a nearby town and took a family day to visit Kinston. \u00a0Mr Ryan is a doctor who was leaving for Lebanon the next day on a mission trip. \u00a0Even though our visit was super short I&#8217;m sure it was not a coincidence but a God-incident. \u00a0We&#8217;re praying that\u00a0Dave&#8217;s mission trip is\u00a0safe and high impact as well as for the safety and security\u00a0of his family back on the home front. \u00a0And they are praying for us as well!<br \/>\n<a title=\"Fossil dig\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26353557720\/in\/album-72157665220195504\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1523\/26353557720_54d3a8915d_n.jpg\" alt=\"Fossil dig\" width=\"320\" height=\"240\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>When we were down in the Cape Canaveral area I really wanted to watch the movie Apollo 13. \u00a0Its a great story and the kids have never seen the movie. \u00a0However, its hard to get ahold of older videos like this&#8230;RedBox doesn&#8217;t have them and digital rentals use too much data and local libraries typically don&#8217;t let transients check items out. \u00a0But Kinston seems like a small town where people trust each other so I sent Caden in to ask the lady at the planetarium (we never did get her name) if she had the DVD for Apollo13 (since she showed us a clip) and if we could rent or borrow it from her. \u00a0She said we could and when Caden asked if she wanted any collateral she said she trusted us. \u00a0So, that evening we all enjoyed an after dinner\u00a0movie together compliments of the kindness and generosity of the planetarium lady&#8230;so if you read this, Planetarium Lady, thank you so much for everything and drop us a comment reminding us your real name!!<\/p>\n<p>While we were at the campground we met a veteran Don and his family who have been full timing for over a year. \u00a0We also met Don a 71 year old bicyclist who travels all over by bike. \u00a0We met Royce&#8217;s wife&#8230;Royce had a stroke the weekend before we arrived and is now in the hospital. \u00a0His wife was very sad because &#8220;we haven&#8217;t been apart in 23 years&#8221;. \u00a0We added Royce to our prayer list. \u00a0Our next door neighbors at the campground were super nice and had\u00a0thick southern accents. \u00a0The gentleman offered us help when we were trying to move the picnic table and also was kind enough to give us some firewood for our last night to cook up some burgers and do s&#8217;mores. \u00a0He wanted us to take some more wood because\u00a0&#8220;I got way more than I&#8217;m gonna use!&#8221; \u00a0Super nice guy and, once again, I failed to get his name. \u00a0So if you are reading this, Heavy Equipment Operator Wood Sharing Guy, drop us a comment and remind us your name!<\/p>\n<p>Our last day in Kinston there was a special fishing event at the nearby pond. \u00a0It was a family event put on by the Neuse River Anglers. \u00a0They had poles and bait for the kids and lots of the club members on hand to teach the kids the finer points of fishing North Carolinian style. \u00a0Chris, the event organizer kept saying &#8220;we&#8217;re so thankful you could join us&#8221; and Tim stayed right with us to help each of the kids get to know the gear and proper casting technique. \u00a0At lunch time they cooked up hot dogs for everyone and there was even a pro fisherman, Kevin, on hand showing us all how its done (he didn&#8217;t catch any more than we did). \u00a0Some teenagers there found and killed a big ol&#8217; long snake of some sort&#8230;.they said it was a water moccasin but the guy at the nature center wasn&#8217;t too sure about that. \u00a0Anyway, Dacen was impressed and wanted to hold the headless creature that was still wiggling. \u00a0We did not catch any fish but like Tim told us&#8230;&#8221;it ain&#8217;t so much about catchin&#8217; fish as it is &#8217;bout relaxin&#8217;, enjoyin&#8217; the fresh air and havin&#8217; good quality family time!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a title=\"Snake\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/26626954685\/in\/album-72157665220195504\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/farm2.staticflickr.com\/1609\/26626954685_7bed09fdb6_n.jpg\" alt=\"Snake\" width=\"240\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><script src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\nThe nature center was having an earth day event that afternoon that we went and participated in. \u00a0They had crafts for the kids and some nice displays about recycling, water conservation and wildlife protection.<\/p>\n<p>As usual, we loved our stay and wish we could stay longer. \u00a0Other than a couple errands (groceries and laundry) and date night we did not leave the campground. \u00a0All of our fun was had right there at the Neuseway Nature Park. \u00a0And the people we met made this stop memorable. \u00a0Thanks again Planetarium Lady, The Ryan family, Veteran Don, Bicyclist Don, Heavy Equipment Operator Wood Sharing Guy, Tim, Chris, Kevin and the other Neuse River Anglers&#8230;you are the pride of the Kinston area in the hearts and minds of the Wach family!!<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157665220195504_4383\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1639\/26626963465_612efaf88e.jpg\" title=\"Hrmmmm\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Hrmmmm<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1462\/26561431141_1ab3b8e0b7.jpg\" title=\"Totem\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Totem<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1590\/26626961405_dc179fc749.jpg\" title=\"Touch tank\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Touch tank<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm8.static.flickr.com\/7248\/26228604693_c967b6f18c.jpg\" title=\"Oliver\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Oliver<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1617\/26561427581_242f2becac.jpg\" title=\"Open wide\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Open wide<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1571\/26626960945_c34dbe01fd.jpg\" title=\"Bench? Art?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Bench? Art?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1508\/26561426241_4c15e81fbc.jpg\" title=\"Kid cage\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Kid cage<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1715\/26626960285_e0b8b3e22a.jpg\" title=\"Foucault pendulum\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Foucault pendulum<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1704\/26561424981_e3953a7153.jpg\" title=\"Heart\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Heart<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1631\/26533800432_1f370426c3.jpg\" title=\"Astronaut\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Astronaut<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1482\/26561424241_435b1561b8.jpg\" title=\"Ava and the Beast\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ava and the Beast<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1477\/26600669596_3207baa23a.jpg\" title=\"Neuse River\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Neuse River<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1538\/26353558630_b81928d18e.jpg\" title=\"Spot it\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Spot it<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1689\/26626962195_f62a123680.jpg\" title=\"Date night\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Date night<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1600\/26626959135_738464804d.jpg\" title=\"Going to playground\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Going to playground<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1523\/26353557720_54d3a8915d.jpg\" title=\"Fossil dig\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Fossil dig<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1498\/26626958265_8b6010b612.jpg\" title=\"Identifying fossils\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Identifying fossils<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1698\/26626957335_11a5d8eaea.jpg\" title=\"Dock fishing\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dock fishing<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1602\/26626956725_bb5ebef351.jpg\" title=\"Patience\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Patience<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1699\/26626956035_4558a3fc32.jpg\" title=\"Tim giving Caden some tips\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Tim giving Caden some tips<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1664\/26626955605_80368ec46b.jpg\" title=\"Baiting the hook\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Baiting the hook<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1577\/26626955425_3d1693fe9a.jpg\" title=\"Earth day angel\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Earth day angel<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1609\/26626954685_7bed09fdb6.jpg\" title=\"Snake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Snake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1705\/26626954325_69e3634b30.jpg\" title=\"Tailgating\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Tailgating<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1690\/26626953665_d6d174a0d9.jpg\" title=\"Chris, Kevin and Tim with B and D\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Chris, Kevin and Tim with B and D<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1556\/26626953225_34d2344de0.jpg\" title=\"Walking by the lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Walking by the lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1667\/26626952505_327cc552b4.jpg\" title=\"Coming home from fishin&#039;\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Coming home from fishin'<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1478\/26626952155_28a0c37c60.jpg\" title=\"Marsh\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Marsh<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1708\/26561429191_25b2be7992.jpg\" title=\"Turtle rescue\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Turtle rescue<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1493\/26561428541_88a5e4b546.jpg\" title=\"Caden&#039;s turtle rescue\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden's turtle rescue<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1569\/26626951295_8f408f55c5.jpg\" title=\"Planetarium Lady\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Planetarium Lady<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1533\/26626950875_f39421dbe3.jpg\" title=\"Can they pass?\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Can they pass?<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1711\/26626950145_03dffd3db6.jpg\" title=\"Weeee\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Weeee<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1517\/26626949755_376914eb8e.jpg\" title=\"Just a swangin&#039;\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Just a swangin'<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1557\/26023466483_ca12a01686.jpg\" title=\"Dinner\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dinner<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1463\/26626948415_f5b5ec1f9a.jpg\" title=\"s&#039;mores\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>s'mores<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm2.static.flickr.com\/1645\/26561432161_087d3ec9d6.jpg\" title=\"Gooey!\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Gooey!<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157665220195504_4383\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A year or so ago I came across a PBS show called\u00a0A Chef&#8217;s Life and found myself enjoying it quite a bit. \u00a0I liked the story, I like the farm to table concept and I like Chef Vivian&#8217;s involvement with the community. \u00a0Kinston NC sounded like a pleasant place to live. \u00a0Totally unrelated I was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[41,40],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1429"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1429"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1429\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1477,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1429\/revisions\/1477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1429"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}