Peaks of Otter, VA (8/5/19) -Part II

Looking up to SHARP TOP peak;  We didn't have time to go to the top of Sharp Top this trip--but we will stay an extra day next year so that we can get back up there!!!

Dear Friends,   Since last week,  George and I have taken another short trip.   We enjoyed staying at the Pisgah Inn along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville,  North Carolina,  for a few days.....  We had terrific  weather there with some cooler temperatures up on that mountain.  Loved it!!!!

BUT--today I am going to share Part II of my pictures from the Peaks of Otter on my birthday (8/5/19)....  IF you missed Part I,  click HERE to see those pictures first....

Hope you enjoy Part II from this amazing place!!!!

This is a close up of the top of Sharp Top Mountain.   They provide a bus which takes us part of the way up that mountain --and then we hike the remainder in order to get to the top.  (OR --you can hike up the entire mountain!!!!)

This is us taken from the peak of Sharp Top ---taken on a previous trip to the Peaks of Otter...  We opted to take the bus up and then hike the rest of the way....

Our view from the top of Sharp Top---looking down at Lake Abbott.  You can see the lodge housing down there... Isn't it gorgeous from up there???   That's why we want to do it AGAIN next year.

A view from our balcony of  Lake Abbott

One of our TWO walks around Lake Abbott on the day we were there... We were coming out of our lodge building and heading down to the walking path... 

As we walked around the lake,   I took this picture of the main lodge building  (check-ins and restaurant there).

Love the reflections in the water in this picture;   The Peaks of Otter is a great place to just RELAX... People here were enjoying the big campfire!!!

The Birthday Girl on our walk across the lake.

Lodging at Peaks of Otter;  Our room was on 2nd floor in Building 1 (on the left)

I took this picture of George on our walk around the lake.

Walking around the lake gives us so many pretty views from all directions.

A big dinner for the Birthday Girl;  That Pork Chop was INCREDIBLE --but too big for one meal.  We took a bunch home with us for more dinners!!!!!! 

After that big meal,  we just HAD to take another walk around the lake (1 mile)!!!!    AND---this time we stopped and enjoyed the FirePit for a little while.... NO---I'm not on fire ---even though it looks that way!!!!! ha ha 

A beautiful sunset across Lake Abbott --after a beautiful day...

Good Night from the Peaks Of Otter!!!!!  Hope you enjoyed all of my photos...

Have an awesome week!!!!!

Hugs,

 

Emoticons

Oh---How I LOVE Roses!!!!

One of our best bloomers,   SEDONA  (photo taken 5/22/19)

Dear Friends,   Hope you are having a nice September... Here in Tennessee,   we are going through a DROUGHT ---which is even worse due to our unusually high temperatures this month.... September has been much hotter than any other month in the summer this year.... Our leaves are dying and just falling off.   Reminds me of last year when we had very little Fall Colors here.... Makes me SAD!

BUT---Hopefully this post will make us all SMILE....  We have had a good year with our ROSES --and I probably have about four more blog posts to show you as we go deeper and deeper into Fall.    Today's post is (with a few exceptions) a post showing your some of our Roses in GROUPS....

Sit back and get a 'cuppa' ---and ENJOY...

STRIKE IT RICH  (5/23/19)

 EIFFEL TOWER (6/3/19)

FRAGRANT CLOUD  (5/23/19)

SWEET FREEDOM (5/10/19)

ABOUT FACE  (5/25/19)

A very interesting ROSE since all three of these roses in this photo are the SAME ROSE;  At different stages in its life, it turns different colors.   This is RIO SAMBA  (5/25/19)

QUEEN ELIZABETH (5/27/19)

HELEN TRAUBEL  (5/30/19)

TOUCH OF CLASS (6/9/19)

BEWITCHED (6/1/19)

MELODY PARFUMME  (6/1/19)

SUMMER SURPRISE (6/17/19)

Okay---that's enough for today!!!    I love seeing roses in groups as well as individually (either in buds or open)...... Ah Shucks---I just love our ROSES....

As you can tell --if you looked at the dates---most of these group roses were blooming in May or June...IF you ever visit us here at our home,   come at that time of year... The 'first' group of roses is usually the prettiest  (especially in groups)....

Have an awesome week ahead and pray for RAIN in Tennessee.

Hugs,

Emoticons

Peaks of Otter, Virginia (8/5/19) -- Part I

Beautiful Peaks of Otter (from the other side of the lake), 8/5/19

Dear Friends,   We spent the day of my birthday (8/5/19) at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  During that special day,  we walked around the lake twice  --and we ate a wonderful dinner in their lodge.  IF you ever want/need a fantastic place to go just to RELAX and enjoy the views,   I highly recommend the Peaks of Otter.   For more information,  click HERE.

Since I took so many pictures,  I will divide them into TWO posts...  Today is Part I... Hope you enjoy my wonderful birthday this year!!!!!

Come and take a walk with me around Lake Abbott,  8/5/19

It's a great trail ---and is quite 'woodsy'!!!

I love seeing the REEDS growing along the lake's edge. Can you see them?

A closer view of the lodging at Peaks of Otter;  There are 3 buildings total with rooms with a view of the lake on either 1st or 2nd floor.   One can relax on their balconies ---or enjoy walking on the beautiful grounds.

Looking toward Abbott Lake from the lodge rooms

"Come on,  Sweetheart... Let's WALK"....

No matter which side of the lake we were on,   there were gorgeous views.

We didn't see any otters or herons in the water this time,  but we did see this little deer (paying no attention to us).

I always love seeing reflections in the water.

George captured this Red-winged Blackbird  (with a baby behind him),  and I'm glad he got it (since my picture of them was blurry)... Thanks, Honey

I loved the reflections --as we looked back at the people relaxing and walking on the lakeside.

See the little cabin on the right?   This was the first lodging for travelers in the 1830's. The cabin was called Polly Wood's Ordinary and was a small boarding house until the late 1850's.  Wouldn't it be neat to stay in a cabin like this??????

We had a beautiful day to walk around the lake,  enjoying the views and reflections.  Our room this time was on second floor in Building 1 (to your far left)...

Each time we walked around the lake,   we enjoyed seeing the clouds/sky/reflections.  What a gorgeous place to walk! (The building to your far left is the actual lodge where we had dinner.)

Well---that's enough pictures for one post today.... I have that many more to show you in another post in a week or two--including a picture of my fantastic Birthday Dinner at their lodge....

My son, Mark,  is walking in the fundraiser for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention on Oct. 5 in Knoxville, TN, in memory of his wife, Debbie.   As most of you know,  Mark lost his beloved wife, Debbie,  to suicide caused by her Mental Illness in August of 2017.   Please remember Mark in your prayers --and if anyone would like to donate to this worthy cause,   please contact me  and I'll send you information...Thank You so very much.

Have an awesome week.

Hugs,

Emoticons

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