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, August 7, 2017

What a Great Way to Turn 75!!!!

Oh how this girl loves SUNFLOWERS   (Biltmore, 7/31/17)
Well my Friends... It happened and didn't hurt at all!!!!  In fact,  turning 75 on Saturday (8/5) was loads of fun...  George took me on a surprise trip to the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia this past week.  We stopped by Biltmore in Asheville,  NC  on the way,  to see the sunflowers and water lilies.  When we got to the Shenandoah National Park,  we stayed at the Skyland Resort for a few days...

The weather was PERFECT this week (no rain,  cooler temperatures)  and we certainly enjoyed not only checking out the overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive --with the windows open in the car, to enjoy the cooler breeze,  but we also enjoyed walking quite a bit at our resort area and also got to take 3 hikes...

One of our hikes was to Dark Hollow Falls near the Big Meadows area;  another hike called Blackrock (also in the Big Meadows area) was to a rock overlook with a fantastic view of the mountains and valley below; and the third hike on another day was a gorgeous hike along the Appalachian Trail  (south of Lewis Mtn and north of Loft Mtn) to a rock cropping overlook for views of Powell Gap below...  This third hike was definitely my favorite of the three... We had the area to ourselves and had plenty of time to sit on the rocks and enjoy the mountains... NOTE:  I usually would enjoy a waterfall hike --but there were too many people on that trail and around the falls..  That made it hard to get any good pictures. Dark Hollow Falls is one of the most popular hikes in that area--and I believe it (after seeing how many people were there).

SKYLAND is a beautiful resort and we had a fabulous room with a view of the Shenandoah Valley below.  AND--the best part was seeing a gorgeous sunset from our room/balcony every night... The food at Skyland Restaurant was very good,  especially their Bison Meatloaf... YUM.

Another awesome experience was driving to an overlook near Skyland to see a fabulous sunrise...  WOW----nothing makes this old woman any happier than being in the mountains  and seeing beautiful sunrises and sunsets with my Sweetheart.

Today I'll share a few of our many, many pictures we took while on this little trip... Hope you enjoy them... They are some of my favorites from this trip.  Click on them for enlargements.


Us in the Walled Garden at Biltmore  (7/31/17)



A Happy Woman relaxing inside the Conservatory at Biltmore;   George posted this one on Facebook!!!! (7/31/17)


One of the gorgeous Water Lilies we enjoy seeing at Biltmore in August each year;  (7/31/17)





A view of the back of the Biltmore Mansion in the distance;  We love this vantage point at Biltmore --and also enjoy the reflections on the lake.  (7/31/17)



Here we are playing in the Sunflowers  (7/31/17)



Dark Hollow Falls  (near Big Meadows)---(8/1/17)



Us at Dark Hollow Falls;  You can only see a tiny bit of the waterfall in this picture since there were a gazillion people around...  (8/1/17)



Sunset from our room on 8/1/17


I love love love this sunset picture... The sun was playing games with the RAIN.....   Can you see it?  We got no rain where we were --but they must have received some west of us near the Allegheny Mountains in Eastern West Virginia.  (8/2/17)





I could sit for hours and hours enjoying the view from here!!!!!   This was our 3rd hike along the Appalachian Trail --with a view of the mountains and Powell Gap below.  (8/3/17)



Together,  two lovers enjoyed the mountains!!!!  As I said,  we had the area to ourselves which we loved... (8/3/17)



Is she just a treehugger ---or is she hanging on for dear life??????  ha ha  (8/3/17)



Look what we saw when we got back to the room after a great hiking day!!!!!   I love sunbeams and this one really is showing us some!!!!  (8/3/17)



My favorite sunset of the three  (although I did like the one with the rain);  (8/3/17)



This may look like a sunset but it is NOT...  This is the SUNRISE (8/4/17) which we saw when we drove to  an overlook near Skyland on Skyline Drive....   AWESOME.



Early Morning Sky just after sunrise in the mountains;  I love seeing all of the mountain ranges which look so peaceful.    (8/4/17)



I love Sugars from my Honey on top of the mountain!!!! (8/3/17)
I cannot thank George enough for this wonderful trip and awesome birthday!!!  We had such a fabulous time.

Needless to say,  I just picked out some of my favorite pictures from the trip... There are lots and lots more!!!!!!

I'll close with this quote from a cup which George gave me on my birthday:
"I'm an AUGUST Woman.   I was BORN with my Heart on my Sleeve,  a Fire in my Soul,  and a Mouth I can't control.   Thank You for understanding!"    ha ha ha .... This is me!!!!!  Any AUGUST GIRLS out there?????

Have a wonderful week.
Hugs,

35 comments:

Ann said...

Gorgeous pictures. What a great way to celebrate your birthday. Glad it didn't hurt turning 75. LOL

linda m said...

Those are some fabulous pictures. George sure knows how to help you celebrate. You look like you were on "cloud 9". Good job George!!!!

Lowcarb team member said...

Fabulous pictures.
Fabulous scenery, flowers ...
Fabulous you and George!

Most importantly fabulous you!

I'm so pleased to see all of these photographs.
Glad you had such a brilliant trip and birthday.

My good wishes

All the best Jan

eileeninmd said...

Hello, Betsy, Happy 75th Birthday. Shenandoah is one of my favorite parks. we have been to Dark Hollow Falls many times. I love the beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The photo with the sunflowers is one of my favorites. Great collection of photos.

Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!

Big Dude said...

Happy Birthday Betsy and glad you got to spend it in such a pretty part of America. One year, I planted half my garden in the tall sunflowers and it was fun watching them follow the sun and then watching the birds attach them when they were ripe.

Jacqueline said...


Happy Birthday Betsy! This is, without a doubt, the most beautiful post I have EVER seen in blogland. You two are such an inspiration for loving and living the good life. I am going to try to find you on FB. Jackie


Linda G. said...

Gorgeous pictures. What a way to celebrate your birthday! I have been to Dark Hollow Falls three times. Each time I remember people everywhere!

George said...

I'm glad you enjoyed our trip. You did a great job sharing it in this post. Your photos are beautiful and bring back some wonderful memories. Love you!!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

Congrats on the 75. The trip looks like a drean come true for there was so much that was positively perfect. You must be an early riser to catch a sunrise. We go to bed late and rise late for years now.

LV said...

I have always enjoyed your journeys. I do not get to do that much anymore. You are a very special couple and blessed in so many ways. May you both continue to have the health and energy to keep enjoying your life. Many wishes for more happy days. My birthday is in August.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Belated Happy Birthday dear Betsy. What a wonderful time you had! The photos are fantastic.

Happy August ~ FlowerLady

Ginny Hartzler said...

Betsy, this may be your most gorgeous post EVER! The pictures are ALL stunning!! My favorite may be the awesome sunset with the rain. That picture may be my favorite from your blog of ALL TIME! I can see both the sun and the rain!! Also gorgeous sunflowers and waterfall! You had a PERFECT birthday!!

Nellie said...

Happy Birthday, Betsy! Only "August girl" in our family is our sweet granddaughter who will be 11 on the 14th! Looks like you had a marvelous trip for celebrating!

A Colorful World said...

This was so much fun! For us as well as you, though you got the better end of the deal! b What a GREAT birthday trip! LOVED the photos...wow on the sunsets and the mountain views. As always, so amazing! Glad you had fun. You two are such fun to "know" here in blogland (and facebo0ok)....happy birthday once again! Many, many more!

Arkansas Patti said...

So glad you had such a wonderful birthday. I knew George would come through--he always does. Love the fact that you catch the sunrises as well as the sunsets. Most thought inspiring parts of the day.
My sister is a July 29th girl and that cup fits her to a tee.

David said...

Betsy, It looks and sounds like you had a great 75th birthday! Even the weather held out for your adventure... As an aside, you and George are always traveling somewhere so the fact that your garden at home always looks so good boggles my mind. Great trip photos as usual... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Betsy said...

Oh my goodness! This looks like the perfect way to turn 75. My favorite picture of the bunch is of you and George in the sunflowers. My next favorite is you and George smooching. And my next favorite is you and George with the reflection of the trees in the water. You two lovebirds look so happy. I'm glad you had an absolutely wonderful 75th birthday trip Betsy. I never get tired of seeing your sweet smiling face. You give me hope.
Blessings always, Betsy

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Gorgeous photos, Betsy. It's easy to see that you had a wonderful birthday. And you can't fool me...you love sugar from your honey whereever it happens. :)

Judy said...

Thank you for sharing. What a wonderful way to celebrate.

The Furry Gnome said...

Happy Birthday to a young at heart lady!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your pictures show such awesome beauty and I know that a picture only tells part of the story.Sounds like the weather was great, and those sunsets and the sunrise are magical.What a beautiful way to celebrate this special milestone!

Pat Tillett said...

I think I already said this, but Happy Birthday!
One gorgeous photo after another in this post.
I wonder how many waterfalls you have seen. I'm sure the number is high.

Lady Fi said...

What a fabulous way to celebrate your birthday! Your photos are gorgeous.

Devilish Angel said...

Happy Birthday Betsy. You and George looks wonderful :)

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Fabulous images Betsy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Connie said...

What a fantastic birthday! Great pictures! I'm glad you got to enjoy such a special week.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

You look so vibrant and happy! I'm glad 75 is treating you well!

Nancy Chan said...

Wow! Happy Birthday to you, Betsy! What a beautiful way to celebrate your birthday and you have great photos to show us. A beautiful and loving couple!

Unknown said...

Hi Betsy,
Lovely pictures and bet it was a fabulous trip, judging by the pictures. Love the picture with the mountain ranges, never get tired of seeing sceneries like that. Happy belated birthday and have a great week.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Beautiful photos! Betsy, you make turning 75 look easy. Happy Birthday again! I love the gorgeous rose in your header, too! Enjoy the rest of the week...it's flying by as usual.

diane b said...

What a great birthday trip. Lovely scenery, happy snaps and two old romantics.

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

Wow what a way to celebrate 75!!! Belated happy Birthday! I love your photos of all the traveling y'all do. Yes it still is cool enough to ride with the windows down. So many great photos I can't pick a fav but guess the sunset one may be it??

Happytrails said...

The "Joy" of this trip and your life just explodes on the pages of your blog post!!! Your joy is contagious!!
Happy Birthday my new friend!!!

www.freedom2roll.blogspot.com

Linda said...

Aww, you two are so sweet! Happy birthday!

BeachGypsy said...

Well look at you, standing right smack dab in the middle of a big field of sunny beautiful sunflowers---you are just as perky and pretty and happy as those flowers!! Looks like a great birthday, loved all the pictures especially the sunbeam one! Gorgeous views of the mountains and sounds like y'all had a real nice stay at the nice hotel! so glad you got to go! And that waterfall looks good enough to just jump INTO ON A HOT HUMID DAY