Darn bonnie I am sorry to hear about your Mom. I have been driving back & forth from the valley to the beach almost every weekend for 2 years to help take care of my mother after she had a stroke. I am not complaining here but some folks have no idea what its like. My mother required 24/7 care & when you are looking out for someone like that its almost like being in prison. You can't just go up to the store to pick up something to cook. You can't go anywhere. My mother passed away 3 months ago & I would do it all over again if I could.
The only day I had to myself last year I took my nephew to the cabin & gave him his first shot gun & taught him how to use it. The next day we did some hiking & I took him to Monticello on the way back to the beach. Thats a big part of the reason I have been looking forward to this. I really don't understand why there is so little interest. I thought a bunch of folks would want to come. Its free, its beautiful, you can camp, bring camper or sleep in the cabin & there are hotels & bed & breakfasts not too far away. If you can't come then there will not be one person on this forum from VA there & smokinclt the only one that is coming.
I am still going to thoroughly enjoy myself. I have one other friend that is coming from out of state that will be there on Friday. There are a few people from the area that will come on Saturday but I waited to invite people to make space for people on the forum so it was too short notice for most of my friends. We are also having a big party weekend on Smith Mountain Lake with boats & wave runners the following weekend. Memorial day its 4 wheeling in Mt Jackson.
One thing is certain. Those who come are gonna eat some great food & enjoy themselves. You've seen the pics but nothing is better than being there. In 15 years of having get togethers, parties, concerts, hunting, pig roasts & picnics not one person has left till they had to. Everyone loves the place. I will say a prayer for your Mom & cross my fingers & hope you make it!