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...

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Blue Ridge, Georgia Trip

While looking through some old photos,  I came across some that I decided to share with you today.  In October of 2005,  the "Getaway Gang"  ---made up of childhood friends:  Susan Hollifield Daugherty,  Reida Rankin, Nita Holding Wilson and me,  took one of our annual trips --this time to a cabin on top of a mountain in  Blue Ridge, Georgia.

Many of you may know about my trips with these special friends.  I have blogged about these yearly trips quite a bit in past.  The four of us grew up together and when we graduated from high school,  we all went our separate ways..

In 1992,  when we all turned 50,  we decided to get together for a few days to 'catch up'... That turned out to be a fabulous reunion ---so we decided to continue doing it most every year until a few years ago.  We lost one of us (Susan) in 2011 to Breast Cancer.  Since she died,  the three of us just haven't been able to get together anymore.  I hope that we do someday.  I miss our 'get-togethers'---and I miss Susan TERRIBLY.  If you want to see some of my other blog posts of my time with these wonderful friends,  click HERE.

Even though the pictures were taken from an OLD camera in 2005,  some of them are worthy for the blog I think.... The picture above is one of the sunrises we saw every morning  from our cabin on that mountain.   I love this photo showing the fog in the valley below...

Be sure to click on the pictures for enlargements.




Here is a picture of our wonderful little cabin we rented that week.   The little cabin was decorated with bears.  Someone was very creative--as there were bears EVERYWHERE in that cabin ---even the light fixtures!!!




This is the road to our cabin... I got out and walked in the area one day... There were a few other cabins in the area --but we were on a dead-end road.  (I'd love to own that cabin!)




This is not a great picture,  but I wanted you to see some of the mountain ranges in that area.  Blue Ridge is a great little city in the mountains in North Georgia...




Here's one more photo of our neat little cabin.  Isn't it pretty?  The weather was perfect--and we enjoyed sitting on the deck ALOT during that visit.




Here's a collage of the four of us.  Top left:  Reida, Susan, Betsy;  Bottom left: Nita and Susan;  Top right: Susan, Nita, Reida.




AND--here's another collage of us from that trip. Bottom left:  ME in the tub;  Bottom right:  Reida, Nita (standing), and Susan.  The middle picture is dark --but at the table, you can see Nita, Susan and Reida.




Here are two more photos of those glorious sunrises.  There is nothing better than seeing a sunrise or sunset... Our cabin was in a perfect location to enjoy these..

UPDATE:  Please say a prayer for friend, Reida... She has MS --and has been in the hospital recently.  




Finally,  here is a photo of PINK CLOUDS (not taken on this trip)....  When Susan died,  she told us all that she would be sitting up there on a Pink Cloud--waiting for us to join her.  Every single time I see a pink cloud these days,  I think of Susan... She was a wonderful woman --and is SO missed!!!!  OH--how I love her!

Have a great day ---and take time to HUG those people whom you love.

HUGS to you,



60 comments:

Lynn said...

What a lovely post Betsy. How fortunate the four of you were to start taking those wonderful trips together. I can imagine how difficult it is now for the three of you to get together without your dear friend. We have a lot of pink skies here and now whenever I see one, will think of you dear friend. Will also pray for your friend with MS. Very timely that I stopped by and this was the post that popped up because on Feb 19, I am having lunch with my two childhood friends who lived on the same street I did growing up. Jo-Anne and I have seen each other over the years, especially our wonderful lunch last year when she and Al where on vacation, but Kathy....have not seen her in 40 years! She is in Michigan while I am in FL. They are coming to FL for vac. So this post really hit home to me as Kathy underwent chemo for breast cancer last year. I will think of you and your friends the day the 6 of us have lunch (hubby's invited too) Blessings.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, what a beautiful place. I love the cabin. The BlueRidge mountains are gorgeous. Great shots! Thanks for sharing this trip. Have a happy day!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

Blue Ridge Mtns are great. looks like your trip is great. i love the pics GA is a great state. have a nice time. ( :

Arkansas Patti said...

I do remember that post as I am a huge fan of N.Ga. Beautiful country. How nice you have such great pictures, especially of your dear friend no longer with you. Pictures help to keep a memory fresh.
Think you all need to make that trip again and look for that pink cloud.

Dorothy said...

It's wonderful that you got to take this trip with great friends. Your pictures are great! Love those mountains!

Linda G. said...

I wouldn't mind owning that cabin either. What a great location!

How wonderful that you have stayed in touch with friends with whom you grew up.

Anonymous said...

I melted right into that first photo. A wonderful place to have fun with friends and enjoy the mountain scenery.
Have a wonderful day, Betsy.

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,

What a beautiful place. It looks very quiet and secluded, just what you need sometimes. The picture of the mountains is great, I love the 3D effect it gives.
Enjoy your day!

linda m said...

What a beautiful place and the pictures are gorgeous. Nothing better than getting together with friends.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

What lovely photos of the Blue Ridge Mts. The cabin was definitely wonderful with great views. Sorry to hear that your friend Susan has passed I am sure you miss her allot. Prayers go out to your other friend who has MS. Thanks for sharing those wonderful photos. Hugs Judy

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I think we might have to add Blue Ridge, Georgia to our must-see list. That cabin looks perfect, and what wonderful views from those decks. Love the first sunrise photo. It's really neat that you "girls" were able to have those getaways together all those years. Memories to treasure.

Anonymous said...

Blue Ridge is a favorite of mine and this cabin is great! A lovely location to have made memories with cherished friends. I know these pics are treasured by you.

Shug said...

Great post Betsy...looks like those bubbles were about to swallow you up! You have a way of making life Fun and I think this is wonderful.
Gorgeous cabin and gorgeous view..you didn't happen to see any bears did you?? Ha! I mean REAL bears..
hugs,
Shug

TexWisGirl said...

love the layers of blue mountains. :)

Rose said...

What wonderful memories to have...loved seeing these pics. And sorry your friend has been in the hospital. Will pray for her....friends are just so special. There is nothing quite like childhood friends.

Sylvia K said...

Such a beautiful, delightful place and I love the cabin! Perfect! Wonderful photos as always, Betsy, and, as always, thanks for sharing the fun and the beauty with us!! Hope your week is going well!!

Lady Di Tn said...

Ah Betsy your beautiful heart is showing in this gracious post of a dear child hood friend and how yawl shared such wonderful memories. Peace

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a fun trip. We have lots of bears in our cabin too :-)

Fred Alton said...

I loved reading this blog, Betsy. If the other two girls are anything like you I'm sure you have a blast when you get together! You and George stay inside by the warm fire a few more days and Spring will be here. It's a gorgeous day down here in the valley already.

Out on the prairie said...

Charming pictures accompany a very charming time.

Fun60 said...

Although your friend is no longer with you , it must be good to know that you shared those happy times. That cabin looks the most picturesque place to be with those sunsets and sun rises. Good memories.

Catherine said...

So many happy memories you have Betsy!
Hope you are having a wonderful week!
xo Catherine

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Oh wouldn't it be neat to own a cabin like that with that view?! Looks like a great place to stay. Maybe you and your friends can go again when Reida is feeling better. I'll add her to my prayer list. So sorry to hear about Susan. It's always tough to lose someone you love. It's wonderful that you have the photos and memories of good times together.

Mary said...

How nice to have a group of good friends to make a trip like this with. I'm sure it is a lot of fun and lots of laughter. I like that mountain range shot...lovely colors and shapes.

Ginny Hartzler said...

Gosh , when you said bears everywhere I thought you meant real ones! Till I read a little further. I love the collage of all you gals!

Connie said...

Gorgeous sunrise photos, Betsy! How sweet that you think of your dear friend now whenever you see a pink cloud. It sounds like you all had some really great times together.

Small City Scenes said...

Beautiful post, Betsy. I would love to own that cabin too. How neat to get together with you friends from childhood. I see pinks clouds lots of times and I will think of Susan too. I truly love that first picture. Our old cameras did take some really nice pictures didn't they.

As for baby Eagles: The problem is that by the time I might be able to see them the trees have all leafed out and I can't even see the nest any more. I do have some pics of half grown Eagles the parents were feeding. Their nest was in a huge snag of a tree that since has blown over. I think they were trying to say go get your own fish as they would go flying by and fling a fish at them. I watched for quite awhile and it was hilarious. MB

Ruth Hiebert said...

Precious memories. Betsy,once you own that cabin,let me know,I want to book a week there. :)

joy said...

Memories worth remembering. Thanks for sharing and I will include your friend in my prayers:)

Kelly said...

...a lovely post, Betsy. Great memories... It's so important to get together with friends. Sorry you had to lose one much too young.

happyone said...

Great place and love the cabin.

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

Oh, I agree, wouldn't that cabin be the perfect getaway to own? So cute and stunning views.

SquirrelQueen said...

I love that little cabin. I'm just imagining those bear light fixtures. Blue Ridge is a lovely area, I spent a lot of time there when I lived in the state.

LV said...

Betsy, seems that is life is always taking us on a high and then other times a low. We just have to take one day at the time and make the most of it. I am so glad you and George have been blessed and can still be blowing and going. Enjoying life. I am back to normal, whatever normal is. I wish I had the ability to change things on my blog like you do.

imac said...

Nice to go back in time and see all these wonderful pics, would love to see inside the cabin.

Sharon said...

Wow, one more thing for us to discuss when we finally meet (hopefully SOON!). I lived and worked in Blue Ridge for 10 months in 2002. It was a contract job and I worked like a dog, but got to LIVE in a cabin that looked just like the one you stayed in. It was also on a dead end road. Can't wait to compare notes on that one. I loved Blue Ridge and return frequently to visit.

Chatty Crone said...

Where did you stay in the Blue Ridge area? Nice to go with a friend you are close too. I am not that far from there. If you ever get this way we need to meet. Beautiful area the Blue Ridge is. Lovely photos. sandie

Lynda said...

Blue Ridge is fairly close to our kids in Copperhill. The area is so gorgeous! That cabin is really pretty. The road reminds me of one Bill and I took to a little cabin in Pigeon Forge. The drop-offs were horrendous.

Linda said...

Hi Betsy, your posts and photos....wow! It is always such a joy to visit your blog! Thank you so much for sharing, you have made my day!

Carletta said...

Beautiful cabin! Hubby and I have rented a cabin only once. I have no pictures so we must do it again. Your pics remind me of the fun time we had.
You must have used a whole bottle of bubbles in that tub!! :)
Prayers for Reida.

Jo said...

It's amazing Betsy, just yesterday I was thinking of your yearly reunions with these friends. And here you post about those times! I also remember when Susan passed. I'm sure you still miss her. I will uphold Reida in my prayers. That is an amazing location for a cabin. Yeah, I would love to own it too! Have a great day, dearest Besty. (((Hugs))) Jo

Karin said...

What a perfect spot for a relaxing, fun-filled vacation! Glad you were able to get together with the dearest of friends - those poignant memories you'll always treasure! They are not gone, they live within our hearts, don't they!

Hootin Anni said...

I would be reminded of Susan too, then. How lovely to have such beauty in memory like that. And your very first photo just took my breath away Betsy.

amy @ Life in Pink Hi-Tops said...

Beautiful mountain views and beautiful friendships. Nothing could be better.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your friend!

What wonderful shots - and memories!

Susie Swanson said...

Gorgeous post Betsy and I love the sunrise pics.. You were just a stone's throw from me.. I live across the line in N.C. lol..

Together We Save said...

Thanks for sharing these fun memories and photos with us.

Linda P said...

Beautiful post, Betsy, Friendships are precious and I know you must miss your dear friends and your annual trip to that lovely cabin in the woods. Now I live away from my home town I miss my close friendships, but on the other hand I now live near an old friend who also moved to another county in the north of England and we get together a few times a year and talk about the times when our daughters were at school together. Happy memories and lovely photos of special times.

Grandma Bonnie said...

What a lovely post. I can see why you would love the cabin and the view! I will say a prayer for Reida. I hope you have a great weekend.

troutbirder said...

What a beautiful place to gather with ones dear friends....:)

troutbirder said...

What a beautiful place to gather with ones dear friends....:)

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, How wonderful for you and your friends to have your fine memory page with those great graphics and outstanding pictures. Well done. My own childhood friends and I only get to visit via Internet. A marvelous way to stay in touch. Have a great Friday!

Marie said...

What wonderful memories with life long friends. Great photos, as always! We visited Blue Ridge, GA in 2010. We rented a cabin and we didn't want to come home! We so enjoyed those views!
Hope you're having a good week, Betsy!
Hugs,
Marie

Krishna/à´•ൃà´·്à´£ said...

Beautiful post and nice place

thanks

Jeevan said...

This post was moving... the cabin looks pretty and the way lead to this place was inviting. Wow! The sun rising over ridges was an awesome sight.

my best wishes for you all

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

What an emotional experience reading your post was. Now I have added another reason to love pink clouds to my list of loves :)

Terry and Linda said...

It's so hard to lose people in our lives, I like your friends' pink cloud....made me feel hopeful.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

I am learning that cabins are a good way to enjoy some time away from home. Glad you had a great outing and met up with old friends.

DeniseinVA said...

What a very special post Betsy, lovely memories with your friends. That sure is a great little cabin too, I would love to live in one just like it, especially with gorgeous views like that. I will send up a prayer for your friend Susan and also for Reida. Have a wonderful weekend Betsy and thank you for sharing this very special time.

diane b said...

A beautiful post, Betsy. The photos are stunning even the one you said wasn't good. It shows layers of depth and fabulous colour. I remember reading about your get togethers and it is sad that you have lost a dear friend and another is ill. You have my sympathy. That is the worst part of getting old is losing friends. The cabin looks a beauty and in a great spot. I'd love it there.