Living in a rural area is great.  I would not want to live anywhere else.  However, if you have visitors–even close family–it’s always a little dicey about where to eat if everyone wants a meal out.   For instance, if I’m honest, at least 50 percent of the meals that we “eat out” are at the Rally Mart which is a Shell gas station in Hiltons, Virginia!   The Shell Station has the best BLT I’ve ever eaten, but it’s hard to say to guests…”let’s go eat at the local gas station.” 

When Mike’s son Marc brings his family into town, we always meet them for lunch in Bristol at the Burger Bar.   Have you eaten there?  Believe it or not, I had not until about three years ago.

 The Burger Bar has lots of tales surrounding Hank Williams, but it’s the burgers that we go for!  They are so good.  The chef, Armond, let me take his picture.  I think he looks like Lionel Richie.  He always remember us…or pretends to anyway!

Marc loves a burger called the “Fire God” or something like that.  It’s really hot.   Check out the picture below…this is the way he and Mary eat all the time.  Really.

While Marc is eating a really hot burger, the rest of the family..Mary, Jack, Connor, Mike and I eat normal food at the Burger Bar.  Hamburgers, parmesean fries, onion rings, and sometimes….A MILKSHAKE!!!  Connor (our grandson) was allowed to order a milkshake.  I don’t believe anyone else got one.  It looked so good.  I believe it was an Oreo shake but it was moving so fast between Connor and Mary that I could barely see it.  

His mom, Mary, wanted a little taste, and he was a good sport about it.

A sweet picture…here they are “cheek to cheek”….

 

Connor steps outside…guess who follows?

Connor is still being nice, but he’s less enthusiastic.  “Will she ever go away?”

In this next picture, Mom/Mary goes back inside, and Connor turns away trying to use the time to drink his milkshake…alone…without Mom.   However, look in the window…can you see the pink shirt?  She’s watching him…thinking about that milkshake.  

In the next picture, we’ve paid up and everyone is outside.   She’s still wanting that milkshake.  There’s no use pretending to look pleased.

 I think he’s given up. 

Now back to the country.  Here’s a picture of Jack (other grandson) swimming in the North Fork.   

 

Refreshing!

Jack is not swimming alone…he has a pal with him…

It’s Luci the Labradoodle.  What is going on with her tail?