Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Monday, July 13, 2009

Visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains (NC)


George and I just returned from a short but absolutely delightful trip to the Mountain Air Resort near Burnsville, NC to visit George's son Bob, George's grandson, Bob's girlfriend and her son. That area of the Blue Ridge Mountains northeast of Asheville is absolutely gorgeous--and the condo where our 'kids' were staying is nothing short of phenominal.


Bob and Melissa spoiled us the entire time---cooking delicious meals and taking us on tours of the area. One day we had a picnic at Pink Beds and did some hiking. The Rhododendron in that area was in full bloom. AMAZING!!!! We took the kids (ages 5 and 9) to Sliding Rock --where both kids plus Dad went 'sliding'...

Overall---George and I took over 200 pictures between us ---but I promise not to show them all to you, at least in one blog post. ha ha .... I will spread them out over several different posts, and try not to bore you too much.



Today I will introduce you to the family. Above is a photo that Melissa took of George and me while we wer standing on a platform looking at the mountain views around us. This resort is in a perfect location with mountainous views all around. Below are more photos.







Here is a great picture of George's son (Bob), fabulous girlfriend Melissa, and her son (age 9) and his son (age 5). George says that his grandson (the 5-yr old) reminds him of Bob when Bob was his age!







Father and Son: George and Bob (Can you believe that Bob is TALLER than his Dad--and George is 6'3"!!!!) Yipes!











A great picture of Bob and Melissa ---taken when we stopped at an overlook near Mt. Pisgah on the Blueridge Parkway











The two little boys---sitting in the back of their Dad's truck; I may be a 'tad' prejudice--but I've never seen such well-behaved little boys!!!!









I took this picture of George and family --while we were hiking in the Pink Beds Picnic and Recreation area.











Here's a preview of some posts to come!!!! This picture was taken from the deck of their condo at Mountain Air Resort. Isn't that a fabulous view of the mountain ranges????? We have many more pictures to share from this wonderful weekend.


Hope you had a great weekend also.
Hugs,

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great photos Betsy and glad to hear you had such a nice time.

Neal said...

It's always great to see family and of course it's even better when they live in a beautiful area like George's son. We plan on going down the Blueridge Parkway this year IF everything works out. I glad you had a great trip and got home safe and sound.

Nina said...

Fabulous Photo's! Looks like a Fantastic time was had by all!! Such Joy and wonderment in all your photo's. Keep laughing, keep Loving, keep traveling, keep sharing your glorious photo's and stories! Love and Light, Nina P.

NatureStop said...

You really enjoy where ever you are and this is what I really like.Thanks for introducing us to your family.

Have a great day!
Shantana

Arkansas Patti said...

What a good looking family. Those boys are precious. You sure married into a bunch of Redwoods.
Had a nephew who lived in Weaverville but since moved to Florida. That is a beautiful area.
Keep the smiles and pictures coming.

Peggy said...

A very handsome family! You went to sliding rock? Thats where we spent our summers growing up. I was born and raised in Brevard. We had picnics in Pink Beds. It sure has changed alot since then for the better. Can't wait to see more photos.

Beth said...

Hi, Betsy! I'm catching up on my blog reading, as I've had visitors (and will have more in a couple of hours!) What a good-looking family--those boys are just adorable. Looks like y'all had great fun. And such a beautiful area--you really were very close to my neck of the woods. We climbed Mt. Pisgah last year and I can actually see it (just barely) from my house. Great pictures...and I look forward to seeing more!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What a neat visit, I'm so glad you were spoiled at such a neat place. I want to see george sliding down the rock.

Lisa said...

Hello Betsy, I followed you home from Keats.

I love the mountain areas of North Carolina. It is beautiful country. One favorite town is of course, Blowing Rock.

I enjoy looking at all the pictures you posted especially of the birds and flowers. My mother-in-law would love them and would know all their names too.

Nice meeting you, Lisa

Darla said...

Isn't it nice to be able to brag about well behaved children. I am so loving these photos. Love the mountain photo!! I was just there, remember?

T said...

What a wonderful time you must have had!

I love that area of the Mtns.....just breathtaking.

NCmountainwoman said...

So glad you had good weather and a good time. Can't wait to see more photographs.

Mark Kreider said...

Sounds like you've had another great weekend. I'll look forward to more Blue Ridge photos.

Dorothy said...

Wonderful family pictures! We've been to Sliding Rock and Pink Beds. Beautiful area!

I Am Woody said...

Glad you had such a wonderful trip. And that you got so spoiled!!

PS - I waved at your exit as I drove from Knoxville on Friday. Wish you guys had been home and we could have met! Some day soon.

SmilingSally said...

Betsy, why don't you link in to Blue Monday?

Janice K said...

Your post appears to be the beginning of a wonderful trip. How great to be able to share the adventure with people you care about and of all ages. It is always a blessing to be able to share places you have loved and enjoyed with children.

Look forward to seeing more!

Carol Murdock said...

Mountain travel is the best!Great looking family George!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Love all the pictures. Seems like a perfect weekend and it is such a pleasure to be around kids who behave!!!

Randy said...

Betsy,
You guys sure do get around! I'm glad you had fun!--Randy

Susie said...

Glad you guys had such a great time! Looks like my kind of place to visit. I look forward to seeing the pics of the views.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Pictures are awesome! Thanks for the post..

Blue ridge mountains - Hope this is the same one mentioned in John Denver's ever green song - country roads?

Tammie Lee said...

Looks as though you had a wonderful time. The photos show the closeness and joy in being together!

Vicki ~ FL said...

Great photos Betsy and so glad you all had a good time together.

Mandy said...

Betsy, when we retire I hope we will travel just like you and George! Your marriage is an inspiration to me!

Beautiful pictures and a great looking family!

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The beautiful scenery and spending time with family,can it get much better than that?
Blessings,Ruth

jlshall said...

You've certainly got a lot of great photos of the trip! My husband would love that shot of the mountains - he's a real mountain man at heart. Looking forward to seeing more of your pix.

Cicero Sings said...

Glad you had a good holiday and were pampered. The boys even look like good, well mannered boys. Very cute boys!

Deborah Godin said...

Glad you had so much fun, you've sure got a great family!

Diane AZ said...

Wonderful family photos, looks like everyone had a great time! Those mountains in the background are gorgeous, can't wait to see more pictures from your trip. :)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

It looks you had a wonderful visit...thanks for sharing these beautiful family photos...

Elenka said...

Enjoyed looking at your photos...wish I was there, again. We visited in the 70's, once, and it was beautiful.

Mary said...

What a great family time and I am not surprised that you took over 200 photos :-) Show as many as you want!

EG CameraGirl said...

NICE looking family. George is 6'3"? No wonder he looks so tall...he IS!

Elaine said...

Betsy, looks like you had great time! The Blue Ridge mountains are some of the most beautiful in the world. I have such great memories of going to Church Camp in those mountians when I was a child......would love to hike in them again someday.....thanks for the vicarious trip this morning!

Small City Scenes said...

Betsy!!! I came back--yes I did.
It looks like you and George had a super time too.

You have such a nice blended family.

I took a ton of pictures and don't know what to use--oh I guess i am just blabbering--BYE!! MB

Cassie said...

You guys have a lovely family Betsy. Big, tall men too!! Have a good week. Blessings, Cassie

ps-I love that you two wear matching shirts. Patrick & I do too. When we don't people think we are mad at each other!!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

What a great looking family, all so happy !
You do have yourself a good time Ms. Betsy, wherever you go.
Thanks for giving us a little trip up the mountains, it was delightful.

Rose said...

I think Sean looks like his grandpa! I haven't read all the responses and wonder if anyone else thought that. Sounds like you had a wonderful time...I will look forward to all the pictures you want to show.

amelia said...

Just wonderful!! Everything you post makes me more and more envious!! In a nice way of course!

Wendy said...

Lovely photos. I especially like the first one of you and hubby against the mountains.
Glad you had a good holiday. It's nice to get away and visit family. And nice to come home!!

Adrienne Zwart said...

Welcome home, Betsy! Sounds and looks like you had a lovely time. Looking forward to the rest of the pics.

I've been through Asheville a couple times and always thought it would be a nice place to stop for a few days. I love the mountains!

Diane said...

Betsy, This looks like it was a great visit. You two sure have fun jaunting around.

Anonymous said...

im sure it was lots of fun catching up with family. and in such beautiful surroundings!

good to know that both george and yourself are passionate about education. i totally understand what you mean about idiot-teachers. i was in a classroom today and thinking this is exactly the kind of idiot-teacher that betsy was referring to :)

Snap said...

Fabulous photos! I know you had a great time and I'll enjoy seeing all the shots. Great looking family and of course - those are the most well behaved boys in NC!!!!!! :D :D

Janie said...

Wow, the views there are fabulous. I'm glad you had such a nice visit with the relatives. The 5 year old is adorable.
I never would have guessed George is so tall! He and his son are big boys.

Clara....in TN said...

Bring on the rest of the photos. That area isn't awfully far from me.

Connie said...

The mountain views are fantastic, Betsy! I love that part of the country. It is just so pretty there. How much fun it must have been to share your weekend with your family.