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, June 30, 2014

How do Two OLD People Celebrate their Anniversary

Us at an overlook at Grandview,  at the New River Gorge National River, West VA-- 6/23/14
George and I celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary this past week---with a great trip to one of our favorite states,  West Virginia.... Our reasons as to why we chose West Virginia:  1. not too many people around (except for one day);  2.  mountainous area where it is not too hot;  3. area more rustic and not so 'touristy';  4. place where we could do some hiking AND see some waterfalls---PLUS a really special day (which I will blog about on another day)!!!!!

First,  I will show you some of the things we did on our actual anniversary date,  June 23rd...  Be sure to click on the photos for enlargements.  Hope you enjoy seeing them!


George and his new Tripod
As most of you know,  George gave me an incredible photo of Whitewater Falls,  North Carolina (made into a huge poster to hang above our fireplace).  Click HERE if you missed that post.   SO----I'll have to show you what I gave him this year.  This is George's new tripod (A MeFOTO A1350)  It does everything one would want --except maybe cook dinner for us!!!!  It folds up to 15 inches --and he carries it in the case shown above in the picture.



George's new Tripod--which folds up to 15 inches



Beautiful view of the New River Canyon area
We hiked the Canyon Rim trail and stopped at several overlooks in order to get some great photos.  (We also hiked another trail to see a tunnel --even though the tunnel was closed.  BUT--we finished the day with about 5 miles total on our pedometers!)


This is George on the trail.  The trails were well-maintained overall.



Some very smart people had built steps among the rocks and rhododendrons in order for us to climb higher to the last overlook.    





Amazing area as we hiked to the TOP



We made it up those steps!!!!  George is on top of the world here!!!!


She's still smiling --after reaching the top of the world at Grandview!
Have you noticed all of the 'stuff' we carry???  We are prepared for sure:  our cameras and lenses;  my headband and 'sweat' towel;  my clip-on bug repellent thingie;  my jug of water;  AND a bag with other little things--protein bars, gum, tylenol, etc.... I was PREPARED!!!!! ha



Not only did we see deer along the way,  but we also enjoyed seeing many Rhododendrons and other wildflowers in bloom here.



How can an almost 72 yr old woman have more fun than this??????
After those long hikes,  we had some lunch and then we PLAYED!!!!!


Not to miss out on all of the fun,  George had to play also!!!!!!!   YEAH!



White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake from Olive Garden
Finally---after all of that hiking,  we were HUNGRY!!!!  SO--we drove into Beckley and went to one of our favorite restaurants,  the OLIVE GARDEN.  We enjoyed dinner ---AND we split a slice of that delicious cheesecake pictured above.  (NOT my photo since mine didn't come out).... YUM YUM YUM....  What a great way to end a wonderful day!!!   (AND ---I didn't even gain weight this week... I even lost a tiny bit!!!)


Can you see how HAPPY she is???????
I'll close with this photo George took of a VERY HAPPY GIRL ---enjoying a wonderful day and trip with the fantastic man in her life.... Thanks, George, for a marvelous Anniversary!!!!

Hope all of you have had a good week.  I will 'try' to catch up with your blog posts as I have time!!!!!  (There is always lots and lots of yardwork to be done!)

Hugs,

59 comments:

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It looks like a absolutely wonderful anniversary celebration, Betsy and George, doing the things you both love so much to do! Gorgeous scenery, beautiful photos and fun adventures! Wishing you both many more happy and healthy years and anniversary's to share !

Ann said...

That's a pretty amazing view. Looks like a great place to visit. I'm confused by your post title though. I thought this was about old people. I only see you and George :)

Fun60 said...

Belated congratulations on your anniversary. I can't imagine how two people could enjoy themselves more. Your posts are always overflowing with love and happiness.

eileeninmd said...

Betsy, looks like a fun way to celebrate your anniversary.. Love the views and photos. I wish you many more happy anniversaries. Have a happy day!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

what a way to celebrate. The 2 of you look so happy and you obviously had a great fun time. Now that cheesecake looks delicious!! Scenery looks lovely also

Optimistic Existentialist said...

This looks and sounds like it was an amazing time! What a great way to celebrate your anniversary. I love those overlooks and those wooden steps that lead to them.

Tabor said...

If you could bottle and sell your joy you would be millionaires.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a great time you two had. A wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary.

Have a great week ~ FlowerLady

imac said...

No wonder you two sweat, carrying all that stuff around lol. Great pics

linda m said...

What an absolutely wonderful way to spend your Anniversary. What a gorgeous area that is. Now I know how you lost weight - carrying all that stuff around.

From the Kitchen said...

You have me humming "West Virginia"!! Looks like you two had a fantastic time--but of course I knew you would.

Best,
Bonnie

MadSnapper said...

that tripod is fantastic.. and it is tall enough i would not have to stoop to use it.. love those rocks that look like shelves.

CJ STITCHING AND BLOOMS said...

Hello Betsy, Your and George looks like you are having the most fantastic anniversary trip. Congratulation to all those precious years together. I look forward to seeing many more photos of your great trips. Hugs Judy

Shug said...

Woo wee.... That's a lot of steps! I know you both enjoyed this special anniversary get-a-way. Beautiful places with so many interesting things to see! Lots of wonderful memories for the two of you. Hugs

Big Dude said...

I love the last shot of you. As a native I know WV has some great places to visit and get away and you got some fine shots of it. Perfect gift for George and since I'm still in the market for one, can you give me the entire model number of his.

Barbara said...

such an amazing time, we went to Tybee Island last year for our anniversary and it was not as exciting as your trip, I will be 71 in Sept and Chuck will be 73 in August, we still get along pretty good too, loving these years until the pain kicks in. lol

George said...

We did have a great day on our anniversary, didn't we? I'm already looking forward to next year.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary!

Nellie said...

Happy anniversary to a very lovely couple! What a neat tripod! That would be a good investment here!
Have a good Monday!

Hugs,
Nellie

Sylvia K said...

Wishing you both a belated, but very Happy Anniversary!! And what a beautiful place to celebrate!! Awesome views and wonderful captures as always, Betsy!! Thanks for sharing the beauty and the happiness!!

Small City Scenes said...

Well you two youngsters sure know how to celebrate. Congrats!!! I love swings too. Isn't it fun seemingly to be on top of the world--in more ways than just the climb.
Wonderful images. MB

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE the swing picture! I had seen it on Facebook, but not the one with George! They are definitely my favs! We adore Olive Garden! But there is none within a hour. I liked reading about all the stuff you carry. My purse is so heavy, I think I carry all this stuff every day!!

Out on the prairie said...

Nice trip and occasion to celebrate. It is great to be two old rather than too old and get out and enjoy all around.

Anonymous said...

Hi Betsy, What a wonderful trip! All happy healthy and safe. Love that shot of you on the swing! Your jaunt up those many stairs looks daunting but you do look slim and fit so it was not too hard for you. Glad. Have a super nice coming week!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You both look so happy and that is a wonderful thing to see.Keep on loving,laughing and having fun.Oh,and don't forget to share all those lovely pictures.

amanda said...

This sounds like my kind of day! We love spending a day exploring, working up an appetite for a nice dinner.
The scenery & flowers are beautiful, but my favorite are the pictures of you swinging!
A wonderful anniversary - So happy for you two!

Cheryl @ TFD said...

I can see that you two had a wonderful anniversary! congratulations and here's to many, many more!!
I enjoyed all your photos, too! Be sure and check out my Friday post and see if you've ever seen what I saw on any of your hiking excursions.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

That last sentence I wrote is a little wonky, haha, but you know what I mean!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Love the trails! So pretty and steps to climb the rocks....nice. Love the happy pics of the happy you swinging

Susannah said...

Happy Anniversary! You both have such wonderful times together! It make a person happy to see you so very happy! Your anniversary gifts to each other are splendid and with special meaning. Best
Wishes!

Susannah

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

So sweet. Love that picture of you on the swing. Happy anniversary. I can tell you had a wonderful time.

Terry and Linda said...

Your delighted smile says it ALL!!!!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Congratulations Betsy and George, may there be many more.
Gorgeous hike and views!

Arkansas Patti said...

You two find the neatest places with terrific views. However, you do seem to find all the stairs. Can see why you lost a bit of weight.
Love Georges tripod. Nice and compact.
Happy in the dictionary has a picture of you on that swing. Well done and so glad you had such a great time.

Kay said...

Looks like you had a fantastic day for your anniversary. Many happy returns to you guys.

Linda P said...

You found some great trails and challenging steps to climb. You and George on the swings made me smile - a good way to finish off that hike with the wonderful view at the top of the mountain.

Beatriz said...

Congratulations to your anniversary!
By the way you hadso much fun there... I hope to get up to 72 years old with all that energytoo. The place looks really amazing with so many ups and dows, and in the end a wondwerful visual waiting for you!
Have a great week (and it is not difficult for you, Betsy!)
Hugs,
Bia

Sally Wessely said...

Your post made me happy. You two enjoy what you do so much, it can't help but rub off on the rest of us.

You need a pack animal, girl! LOL You remind me of me. I need a lot of stuff when I head out. I haven't taken to carrying a towel yet, but that is a good idea.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

the hubby & i love this area. so fun!! and gorgeous!!!!!! ( :

the cheesecake looks so yummy. i love the swing shots. too cute!

Happy Anniversary to you both, George & Betsy!!!!!!

NCmountainwoman said...

Glad you had such a good time. I just had another birthday and told my husband I couldn't believe how old we are getting. Funny...I don't FEEL as old as the calendar says.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

That looks like a fun trip. Happy anniversary!!!

carolina nana said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!
You both look so happy, I hope you have many many more anniversaries. Looks like the weather blessed you also,what a beautiful place !
Blessings
Marilyn

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Congratulations! You guys found the very best way to celebrate your 13 years together: hiking, playing and eating a lovely anniversary meal! You're an inspiration!

David said...

Betsy, Great anniversary celebration! I don't know if you and George are in such great shape because you hike or because of all that equipment you carry! Wow! My idea of a hike includes a bottle of water and a point and shoot digital camera. Of course that probably explains the differences between your photos and mine... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Joy said...

I am so happy for you both. Really inspirational:)
Happy anniversary!

DeniseinVA said...

Happy Anniversary to you both and what a great way to celebrate. Loved the photos, especially of you having fun on that swing :)

We are home after our month long trip to Europe. We woke up in Oslo, Norway yesterday morning and went to sleep in our own beds last night. Great trip but oh so good to be back home. We visited France, England and Norway. I will be sharing lots of photos and stories in the days ahead, and will try to get some photos on my blog in a few hours. Meanwhile, loving visiting again :)

camp and cottage living said...

Gain weight, how could you with all of that hiking you're doing, Betsy!
Well, a belated Happy Anniversary to you both. It's so wonderful to see a couple that are enjoying life and one another!
May you be blessed with many more years together.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Happy 13 years! Glad you were able to take a fun trip. That cheesecake sure looks wonderful. The best dessert I ever had was a white chocolate raspberry key lime cheesecake - I had it in Key West. Amazing!

Janice K said...

Happy to see what a great anniversary you two shared. I especially liked the pictures of you swinging--they brought back a lot of good memories.

Congratulations!!

Busy Bee Suz said...

Your anniversary looks just perfect; a day spent together AND in nature….fabulous.
I love all the photos…especially seeing the happy swingers! You are both just grown up kids.
XOXO

Betsy said...

Comgratulations to the two of you! I smiled through this entire post. You oth look and act so young and vibrant. Happy 13 and many more to go.
Blessings,
Betsy

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy and George,
Happy Anniversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate your anniversary. I loved the photos of West Virginia. George's tripod looks super. You look so happy and cute swinging on the swing. What a way to celebrate your anniversary. May you have many more anniversaries.

Rose said...

So glad you had a happy anniversary! Enjoyed the pics...such a beautiful area.

Our photos said...

Well, I can see You have enjoyed Yourselves !

Susie Swanson said...

Awe, such beauty to behold and I can see so much enjoyment on your faces. WV is so beautiful. Glad you had a wonderful time. Happy fourth to you both. Hugs, xo

Kay said...

Congratulations on your wonderful anniversary. This post made me so happy! You are two young at heart kids that we would all like to emulate. Love your smiles!

Connie said...

Happy (belated) Anniversary, Betsy! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration. Great pictures, but I love the one of you on the swing the most. You do indeed look very happy! :)

Pat Tillett said...

Happy Anniversary!
Now that is a great way to celebrate! Love your photos.

Rohrerbot said...

Happy Anniversary to you both!!! What a beautiful series of photos and hike! Congrats for keeping active because that's really the secret....love and adventure:)