Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Blog Friends are BEST Friends

Betsy and Sally---Special Friends FOREVER
Since we started blogging,  George and I have been blessed to have met some wonderful new friends.   On our recent trip out west,  we met two wonderful couples.  The first couple whom we met in Colorado was Jim and Sally Wessely,

Sally's blog is HERE.   Please check it out... As a retired English teacher,  Sally has the gift of writing.... Her blog posts are always so interesting to read.  She lost an adult child to suicide a couple of years ago --and the blog has been a way for Sally to express herself --which has helped with the healing.

Anyhow--we found that the four of us (all former educators) have alot in common.  We met for lunch at a fabulous little restaurant near Colorado Springs ---and were able to eat outside along a little creek (with TINY waterfall--just for us of course)... ha   (No  NEAL,  we didn't count that waterfall in our total number for the trip... ha ha )

After lots of talk and a delicious lunch,  Sally and Jim took us to the GARDEN OF THE GODS (near Colorado Springs, Colorado).... Wow---what a fabulous place.    We really enjoyed our afternoon together ---and they even took us by their new home (which they have just purchased)...  We felt privileged to be among the first to see the new home.  CONGRATS,  Sally and Jim.

Today,  I will share our time together with wonderful friends, Sally and Jim Wessely.  Be sure and click on the photos to see enlargements.




Bill and Sally Wessely
Let me introduce my friends,  Jim and Sally.  This was taken during our lunch.  You can see the little creek behind our table.  What a gorgeous place ---and the Buffalo Burgers were delicious also.




Where is our lunch?????  We are HUNGRY.... ha
There was lots of conversation --as you can imagine--around the lunch table.  When one meets blog friends,  he/she feels as if she has known them all of her life... It's a very unique and special relationship for sure!!!




Four Special Friends
 We asked our waiter to take a picture of the four of us.... Didn't he do a good job???




At Garden of the Gods
This was taken at Garden of the Gods... I couldn't get over the beauty of that place...  AND---since Sally's new home is near there,  she'll be able to visit there often.... Wow---I'm envious!!!!




Sally and Jim at the Garden of the Gods
Here is a great picture of Sally and Jim,  taken during our visit to the Garden of the Gods... You HAVE to see this place in person in order to take in all of the beauty.




More from Garden of the Gods
I will do a post on Friday showing more from Garden of the Gods,  but here is one more photo for you to enjoy today.  We were there on a perfect day ---with that beautiful blue sky.




Sally and Jim at Balanced Rock
Finally,  here is one more photo of Sally and Jim  taken at Balanced Rock  (at Garden of the Gods). There were people all around that rock ---so I had to ZAP them out of the picture!!!!!  Isn't that rock interesting????  Reminded me of a similar rock at the ARCHES in Utah.

Sally and Jim,  thanks to you both for showing us such a great time in your area.  We loved meeting you and truly enjoyed our day...  Hope you come to Tennessee someday --so that we can show you OUR area.   Thanks also for the wine and for the delicious HUGE cinnamon rolls..... We enjoyed them throughout our trip (except for the wine --which came home with us)...

Anyone who has not met your blog friends yet MUST find ways to meet them... Blogging is terrific, but meeting them in person is AWESOME...

Have a great Wednesday --and thanks for all of your kind thoughts about my son's wedding.  It was a beautiful weekend --and I still am on Cloud Nine!!!!! ha

Hugs,
Betsy
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61 comments:

  1. Devilish AngelOctober 10, 2012 at 4:20 AM

    It always feel good to be with friends... Nice shots...

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  2. Ms. AOctober 10, 2012 at 4:39 AM

    How great you get to meet bloggers in person. You've met a few!

    Those terra cotta colored rocks, against the blue sky, really compliment each other!

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  3. Elizabeth EdwardsOctober 10, 2012 at 5:52 AM

    glad you got the chance to meet up. too fun! (:

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  4. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmOctober 10, 2012 at 6:28 AM

    How fun to meet up with blogging friends. I love these pictures - so pretty!

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  5. Miss DebbieOctober 10, 2012 at 6:35 AM

    How wonderful that you were able to meet them in person and have some one-on-one (or should I say two-on-two!) time! Nice pictures!

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  6. MarciaOctober 10, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    It is an amazing thing that we can make friends through this internet thing! I have had a chance to meet two in recent years on two separate occasions.

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  7. KarinOctober 10, 2012 at 7:14 AM

    Oh, I can just feel the fun and joy in this post, in meeting your blog friends Sally and Bill. Such lovely, fascinating scenery and great shots all around! Interesting how nowadays one can just zap other folks out of a photo! My mom would say, "How do they do that?" Blessings!

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  8. MadSnapperOctober 10, 2012 at 7:42 AM

    love those giant rocks in the garden of the gods. beautiful spot, great memories for all four of you.

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  9. RoeHOctober 10, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    Takes me back. How do you zap somebody out of the photo?

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  10. DorothyOctober 10, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    Great post, Betsy! I still haven't met any of my blogger friends, but we DID get to see a friend we 'met' on Weather Underground's Wunder Photos on our recent trip to Wisconsin. What fun!

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  11. Linda at To Behold The BeautyOctober 10, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Bill and Sally look like they would be a comfortable couple to spend time with, and they certainly live in a beautiful area. How nice that you had personal guides to show you through the Garden of the Gods. I'm looking forward to Friday's post with more photos. :)

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  12. Serenity CoveOctober 10, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    Garden of the Gods is a gorgeous place. I remember it from years ago. Same trip when I went to Pikes Peak.
    Colorada is just beautiful all over isn't it!!

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  13. I Am WoodyOctober 10, 2012 at 8:49 AM

    So glad you guys were able to meet! I met a blog friend on my way to TX - such a unique bond we all share :)

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  14. MTWagginOctober 10, 2012 at 8:51 AM

    So fun that you got to meet blogging buddies while you were on your trip. A lovely added bonus and I'm sure they felt the same. Garden of the Gods looks like a fun place to explore!

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  15. camp and cottage livingOctober 10, 2012 at 9:19 AM

    Betsy
    That's wonderful you got to meet a long time blogger friend! And so nice they could show you the sites too.
    I like the photo of the four of you
    You'd never know it was the first time you had all met.

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  16. imacOctober 10, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    Its Great to meet fellow bloggers, be it the same Country or be it any other Country.
    J and I have met fellow Bloggers from both, and every time it was fantastic, to compare photos, ideas, and friendship, also to learn about other Countries too.

    Great shots and Post Betsy.

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  17. TexWisGirlOctober 10, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    great that the 4 of you got to spend some quality time together. the garden of the gods is GORGEOUS!

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  18. HappyKOctober 10, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    It's great to be able to meet a fellow blogger friend. Looks like you all had a wonderful time.

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  19. Small City ScenesOctober 10, 2012 at 10:18 AM

    So much fun to visit with blogging friends. I am glad you all met up. I have met a few, even one from France. She came over her and we went to the Tulip Fields. We met again last year also. Excellent pictures too.
    Visit my blog and see Mt. Baker. MB

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  20. joyOctober 10, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Wiw! Both of you are lucky meeting each other and it must be exciting meeting a fellliw blogger. Up to now, Im still waiting for the oppurtunity.
    And the place is awesome:)

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  21. CarlettaOctober 10, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    Happy smiles all around!
    The Garden of The Gods looks like a fabulous place. The sun on the rock is gorgeous!

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  22. Out on the prairieOctober 10, 2012 at 10:48 AM

    I have climbed a few of those spires in the Garden.I often tell a story of having a snowball fight there without shirts on.

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  23. Sylvia KOctober 10, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    What a fun time and such a beautiful place! It's always great to meet fellow bloggers!! Looks as though all of you had a wonderful time!! Thanks for sharing the fun, Betsy!! Hope your week is going well!

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  24. Ruth HiebertOctober 10, 2012 at 11:52 AM

    The smiles on your faces tells the story. Garden of the Gods is beautiful. I have actually been there,but that was before I did any photography.Would love to go back some day.

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  25. Big DudeOctober 10, 2012 at 12:30 PM

    I hope to continue meeting more fellow bloggers as well.

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  26. GreatGrannyOctober 10, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    Hubby and I went to CA to meet pen pals that he'd been writing along with his first wife. We didn't blog, just email and snail mail. It was a very enjoyable trip as we stopped in several states. I love the West. I'm so glad y'all met some blogging friends.

    A friend mentioned a cookbook on her blog. I told her that I had one. She told me where it was sold. Then she asked me if I lived in( won't mention what town).As it turned out, the church she attends, I can see out my kitchen window. We never met though.

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  27. BethOctober 10, 2012 at 1:26 PM

    Hi, Betsy! The Garden of the Gods looks amazing---I look forward to seeing more of it. I'm so thankful that you kindly share your trip with us. I'm glad you got to meet your blog friends!

    A belated congratulations to your son Jeff and new daughter-in-law Dawn. It looks like it was a lovely wedding. By the way, you looked fabulous in those photos, Betsy---wow.

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  28. Janice KOctober 10, 2012 at 1:49 PM

    Wonderful pictures...and how great to be able to visit with blogging friends. Sometimes I think we share more of what is special in our lives with our blogging friends than we do with the ones we see all the time.

    Aren't the Garden of the Gods spectacular! They are so unusual in shape and color in contrast to the magestic mountains to their west.

    So many of the places you have visited out West are ones we have been to and hold special memories.

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  29. Cheryl @ TFDOctober 10, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    I have loving seeing the Garden of the Gods again through your photos! Beautiful. And it was great that you got to visit blogging friends!

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  30. UnknownOctober 10, 2012 at 3:24 PM

    It's lovely to meet such great friends! Lovely photos as usual Betsy! Have a nice evening! Hugs, Eva

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  31. SharonOctober 10, 2012 at 3:24 PM

    You are so right about the special bond created when blog friends meet in real life. I am so grateful for all the opportunities I've had to meet bloggers. Hopefully, meeting YOU will happen soon. Garden Of The Gods is a very special place to Bill and me.

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  32. AnnOctober 10, 2012 at 4:33 PM

    Sounds like you all had a great time. I've heard of the Garden of the Gods. My daughter lived in Colorado for a while and went there and told me all about it. It does sound like a really amazing place to visit

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  33. ConnieOctober 10, 2012 at 6:10 PM

    What fun to meet your blogging friends, Betsy! It sounds like you had a great visit. Beautiful area to see too.

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  34. eileeninmdOctober 10, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    Betsy, it is nice that you were able to meet up with your blogging friends. I enjoyed seeing your photos of everyone, looks like a great time. The Garden of the Gods looks like a neat place to visit. Great post!

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  35. amy @ Life in Pink Hi-TopsOctober 10, 2012 at 6:40 PM

    Great pictures. I bet it was so exciting to meet your bloggy friends in person!

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  36. A Colorful WorldOctober 10, 2012 at 6:44 PM

    How wonderful, Betsy! I know the four of you had a fabulous time, getting to know each other, and sharing in the delights around Colorado Springs! What an added delight to the joy of your trip, meeting blogger friends in person! So far I have met two, Mary of Faith, Fabric and Photos, and Candy of Lazy J Bar C Farm (who lives an hour away!) I know you loved it. And, wasn't Garden of the Gods great!? Love your photos!

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  37. Busy Bee SuzOctober 10, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    I'm SO glad you got to meet in person....how fun is that?? Lots of fun!!!
    I LOVED Garden of the Gods; it was gorgeous!
    Going to check out Sally's link.
    XOXO

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  38. Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotteOctober 10, 2012 at 7:39 PM

    Wow cool that you met up with Sally. She seems to have decided to meet up with other bloggers too. Cool that you can do this. I'm way too far away!!
    Bless you for enjoying the new way of meeting up.

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  39. NellieOctober 10, 2012 at 7:47 PM

    That's great that you were able to meet a blogging friend. Now, WE have to find a way to meet.:)

    Beautiful pictures!

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  40. AndreaOctober 10, 2012 at 8:24 PM

    Hello Betsy, welcome back to blogging. I can see your happiness in the photos, and you deserve those happiness from these trips. More travels to come. I am waiting for your waterfall posts, haha!

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  41. Chatty CroneOctober 10, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    Darn I don't know who is the luckiest - you or Sally - I would love to meet you both. I blog with Sally too. You are so blessed.

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  42. CatherineOctober 10, 2012 at 9:22 PM

    Meeting blog friends is so much fun isn't it? I hope you and your sweetie are keeping warm. Snow here this evening!
    xo Catherine

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  43. RoseOctober 10, 2012 at 10:33 PM

    Wonderful photos...and you guys do look like you have been friends forever.

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  44. Starry DawnOctober 11, 2012 at 12:03 AM

    Hi adorable lady, Betsy,
    Oh! I am so happy for you that you were able to meet your blogger's friends. It must have been a memorable experience for both of you, Sally and Betsy.
    The scenery is gorgeous, as much as your pictures.
    I am so glad that George and you had a great time on vacations, especially when you meet your wonderful friends Online.
    I love to keep in touch with all my dear friends, personal and Online ones.
    Thank you, Betsy for keeping in touch with me, and posting your heartfelt comments in my blogs!
    I would love to meet you too, one day, if that is God's will.
    All the Best, Blessings & Hugs,
    Poet Starry.

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  45. Anupama K. MazumderOctober 11, 2012 at 12:12 AM

    Very nice post.. indeed Blogging is fun! Meeting fellow bloggers is even better! Nice shots, especially the one with 'Balancing Rocks'.

    www.anucreations.blogspot.in
    www.facebook.com/VolatileSpirits

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  46. Pat @ Mille Fiori FavoritiOctober 11, 2012 at 12:53 AM

    I'm glad you were able to meer fellow blog friends in Colorado and see the magnificent Garden of the Gods, Betsy! I was amazed by the rock unusual formations there when I visited it a few years ago.

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  47. IreneOctober 11, 2012 at 2:07 AM

    I also have blogger friends I met and it's really cool right? Aside from the posts, it's really the reaching out part that matters. You all look really good. =)

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  48. diane bOctober 11, 2012 at 6:23 AM

    That is so much fun meeting bloggers. I may Titania a few weeks ago. She actually lives quite close to us but I didn't know that for a long time. Your friends look a great couple and they were obviously good hosts. The garden of the Gods is amazing scenery.

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  49. JeevanOctober 11, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    That sounds wonderful Betsy! Glad you met blog friends and I couldn’t distance myself from your feeling of meeting friends... that quite treasure and cherish :)

    Great that you happen to travel along with them and that Garden looks like a wonderland!
    Best wishes to you all

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  50. AnonymousOctober 11, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Fabulous scenery and new friends - just perfect!

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  51. CheqnaOctober 11, 2012 at 8:54 AM

    Hi Betsy,

    Nice posting..how lovely to meet friends over blogging and able to keep the friendship grows...I have yet to meet new friends that I made as I'm a bit on the shy side..hehehe..

    I love that scenery of the Garden of the Gods, awesome.

    Hope your friend Sally finds peace in writing, will check out her blog one day.

    :-)

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  52. Hootin AnniOctober 11, 2012 at 9:39 AM

    Awwwwwww, I can say this brings back memories of home. Bud as I told you before was born and raised in the Springs. I always loved going to the GofG for the scenes and peaceful tranquiltiy and quiet. And looking out to the east from there....just beautiful.

    What a glorious trip you had to meet and greet some bloggers.

    As for the buffalo burgers? Gotta love 'em.

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  53. Sally WesselyOctober 11, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Truly, this was one of the most amazing experiences for me. To say that I loved meeting you is an understatement. I knew I would love spending time with you, and I did. I was so sad when our time was up. I was sad that we wouldn't be able to see each other again soon, but thanks to blogs, we can keep in touch!

    I am writing about meeting you today on my blog and will link my post to this one.

    Love you Betsy and George. Hugs.

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  54. Terry and LindaOctober 11, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    YES!!! Meeting blogs friends IS just awesome!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

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  55. MaryOctober 11, 2012 at 4:20 PM

    Meeting other bloggers just makes the trip that much more fun! Lovely scenery!

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  56. Rose ~ from OzOctober 11, 2012 at 4:59 PM

    Garden of the Gods is amazing Betsy, simply awesome. I followed Sally's link to her blog - what a beautiful lady and so inspiring. I can easily see why you are all such good friends.

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  57. Debbie JonesOctober 11, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    We are going to that area for our vacation next summer so your wonderful photographs have me all excited now! I was born and in the Denver area but have never seen Garden of the Gods so that is on our list for sure for next summer. I have never met a blogging friend but I know there are many, many wonderful people in the blogging world. Thanks for sharing!

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  58. Gardener on Sherlock StreetOctober 11, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    Great day for sure. Friends and Nature. Perfect.

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  59. Grandma BonnieOctober 11, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    I will stop over and check out Sallys blog. The photos of the Garden of the Gods is breath taking. I would love to visit someday.

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  60. NealOctober 11, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    Are you sure you didn't count it? :) You're going to have start reporting all your waterfalls to me with a picture, date, and strong evidence that you were really there. :)

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  61. Betty ManousosOctober 16, 2012 at 12:25 PM

    how lovely!

    it's great to meet fellow bloggers!
    fantastic landscape and friends. looks like a perfect day for sure!:)

    beautiful photos, she's a beautiful lady too.


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