Calvin, the happiest black lab mix in the world.

Costello hanging out with his best friends and only friends, Calvin and Seamus.

Costello retrieving a stick from the Pee Dee river.

Did we mention that the best part of traveling the country is running into friends new and old on the road? It's absolutely a treat to visit everyone in their home towns or camp sites nearby. We find they give us great suggestions on things to do, and even better yet, sometimes we get to do something brand new with them in their home state.

Such is the case with our good friends Chrissy & Nathan. We met this dynamic duo in North Caroline while Carson was getting his MFA in creative nonfiction at UNCW (University of North Carolina-Wilmington). Chrissy was studying fiction writing in the same program and Nathan was, at the time, working many a job while studying to be a paramedic. I'm glad to say, he made the cut. Lucky for all you out there on the streets and byways of Eastern NC!

Chrissy was kind enough to write a really nice post with some awesome photos from our time at Morrow Mountain State Park in North Carolina. This park is near Albemarle, NC (that's close to Charlotte!) and is an old CCC park. We'll post more on CCC parks later because they are worth way more than a side note here. I'll say this for now: FDR had one heck of a program with the CCC and we are still benefiting from it today!

Mel, Costello, and Chrissy in the back seat.

The gang is ready to swim. From L to R: Mel + Costello; Nathan + Calvin; Chrissy + Seamus.

Morrow Mountain was a new experience for all of us, which was really a treat. We spent the weekend together catching up, playing hearts (I lost -- I'm no good at this game), walking the slack line that Nathan made, and enjoying plenty of dog time. Chrissy and Nathan have two black lab mixes, Seamus and Calvin. They are the sweetest dogs and among Costello's first friends ever. They rolled him in the dog park, played with him, and taught him the order of the pack. Which is to say, that Costello was the bottom of the pack and they were at the top. It's a good thing, trust us. Costello gets a big head from all his attention on the road.

Chrissy has a great recap of the weekend on her blog, which we highly recommend you check out! Additionally, we'll share one short (but funny) story from the park. On our last evening at Morrow Mountain, Carson and I headed up to the scenic overlook to take in the view. In all honesty, it was more breathtaking than we'd imagined. And it was pretty crowded given it was shaping up to be a nice sunset that evening. After walking around the top and taking in the views, we did a little people watching. There were definitely some thick accents up at the top and we were enjoying it. Anywho, at one point a father and son were walking together. The kid dropped an empty soda bottle and the father, rightfully, chastised him for it. However, it was an odd lesson he taught that day. He said, verbatim:

"Hey! This is a state park. You don't litter in state parks. You litter in Charlotte, but not a state park."

So there you have it. A little Morrow Mountain wisdom for your week. Take it or leave it, we guess.