Orkney Springs

Last night after driving through some heavy rains Josh and I arrived in the bone dry Orkney Springs VA where we are camping. Orkney Springs is nestled in the mountains, and is at the end of the road. A mile to the west is West Virginia.

The campground which is run by a University of Iowa grad is not the greatest, but it suffices.

We are at Orkney so that Josh can help out Oakton High School band with its drill. Oakton comes here every year for its band camp. He is a volunteer instructor for three days. On Saturday afternoon starts parents day where they run through their show and do an evening concert. As it is very early in the season the drill and the music is very dirty.

The band is showing the results of redistricting that took affect last year. The band which use to be a large 4A or small 5A is on the verge of dropping to being 3A. Currently they have about 118 members. Last year 44 seniors graduated, but they only have 24 freshmen marching this year. Next year they may well become a 3A band. It is unfortunate to see one of the best marching bands in Northern VA much short of what it was 2 to 6 years ago.

The Chairs

We are home from another camping trip. A few years ago we bought two chairs for sitting around the campground relaxing. When we chaparoned at Orkney Springs Josh's senior year the other chaparones fell in love with them and were always seeking to enjoy a few minutes in them....one lady told her daughter, "Tell your brother and sister that is what I want for Christmas." (Orkney Springs is the retreat in the mountains where the Oakton Marching Band goes to rehearse and drill for a week). I have fallen asleep in the chairs several times.

Though we love our chairs there is one problem, they are about 2 inchest too wide to fit into the main storage compartment. So the chairs have to travel with us in the cab. Though these are not the same brand, below is a picture of chairs that very similar ours. When you recline, the foot rest comes up.