Cacciacarro Family: Our trip to North Carolina!

Greeetings!

This post is a recap of our recent trip to Asheville, North Carolina. We were attending a conference which we had been asked to play music for. It was a lovely time of teaching, fellowship and fun!

Last year we rented the RV once we had already driven to NC, but this year we drove it all the way down! Here is a picture of it in front of our home while we packed it...

Quintessence on the road!

Okay, so here is a hilarious story: On Tuesday night, we couldn't drive for so long (since we were a bit late in leaving), so once it got too dark, we just stopped off in a Walmart parking lot (we saw some trailers there, and joined them...). Little did we know that they were the Rv's of the construction workers, and we were parked in the midst of a construction sight!?! I guess Walmart was working on some upgrades?? That morning we were woken up to the sound of loud machinery. yes... no comment.

First breakfast in the RV!!

Back on the road again... The Fall colors were spectacular!!

Quick Walmart food stop (Please ignore the bed head hair...(*blush):)

Well... yes, that's me. What on earth was I thinking?!? :D

The lookout from our dinette...

Finally arrived at Ridgecrest Conference center, nestled in the beautiful Smoky mountains of North Carolina!

Quintessence set up

The first session by Dr. Joel Beeke was definitely one of the highlights for me! Very practical and applicable to our every day lives... How should we live as God fearing people?

One of the many buildings at the conference center...

Every year the surroundings seem to get better and better!?!

~Quintessence Ensemble~

These girlies really missed each other, and were so happy to once again be reunited!!

Us older girls as well! Miss you Hannah and Naomi...

Singing to the glory of God!

Q&A panel with all the speakers

Saturday evening (after the conference had ended), we gathered with some dear families for an amazing musical evening, full of good music, singing hymns together, and of course... LOTS of fellowship with like-minded people! Thank you Lord for such a blessing!!

Playing hymns along with Grampa Kraus on the piano

Singing hymns with Grampa Kraus

Ridgecrest is just as beautiful at night!

Music time on Saturday night. It was such a special time of music, fellowship and making new friendships with like-minded families

Sunday chats after the church service...

Dear friendships

Dearest Mamita and Shayna...

All of us girls ADORE little Titus!! Such a handsome young man!

Enjoying each other's company!

Autumn.

"Smile for the camera Titus!"

Looks like the littles guy has had enough pictures! hehe...

All of us lovely ladies... How everyone has grown!

"A penny for your thoughts?"

How sweet the friendships ...

Grace and Shayna enjoyed their time together SO much!!

~The two Hannahs~

Enjoying some play time with special friends in the warm NC sunshine

Love this big white cross that is situated on the mountain above the conference centre

Free shuttle rides around the grounds

Taking our time saying good-bye ... it's always the hardest part of the trip

Long distance friendships are always so sweet

On our way home and stopping for dinner at one of our favorite US restaurants ...

Papa's dream ...

Our dedicated Papa ... when the McD's was closed for the night he walked up to the drive-through window to get us our favorite coffee ... such an amazing Papa!!!

Big breakfast on the road

Thanks Miriam for making us such good food in the trailer ... we know it was not an easy task!

The views through the mountains of West Virginia as especially beautiful this time of year

We made a stop to see the New River Gorge and information centre ... what a spectacular sight!

That's the bridge we drove on to get over the gorge

Nice photography Abby!

Apparently Grace forgot to put socks in her cowgirl boots so after a while her little feet where hurting so Papa offered her a ride on his back ... what a workout!