A Much-Needed Getaway to Virginia

Peaks of Otter -- where we stayed (Sept. 13-15,  2016)

My Facebook Friends know (since I talk about it constantly) that our area has been in a horrible DROUGHT --including very very high temperatures also....We have had a HARD summer --at least those of us who try to garden and keep a nice yard.... Consequently,  our stress levels have been higher than usual lately...

In order to 'find our souls and our HOPE again'  ---we decided to just walk away from everything for a few days and get some rest and relaxation,  and some new scenery...George got a great deal on a room ---so off we went on September 13 to Virginia....  We spent two nights at the BEAUTIFUL    PEAKS of OTTER along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Bedford, Virginia.....  To see their webpage,  click HERE.

We took a gazillion pictures ---so I picked out a few to share with you today..... Hope you enjoy some of the things we did ----remembering that even though we DID do some hiking and walking,  we also found time just to relax and enjoy our time there together.    Hope you enjoy the pictures!  You can click on them for enlargements.

Look at the beauty we saw from our ROOM..  This is Abbott Lake at the Peaks of Otter (9/14/15).  I loved seeing the REFLECTIONS.

We also enjoyed driving along the gorgeous BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY all three days! There were lots of wildflowers in bloom.

Abbott Lake (beside our room) was so gorgeous.   That mountain is named SHARP TOP --and we went to the top  on Sept. 14.

We rode the bus up the mountain part of the way and then hiked up the last 1500 feet.... We are now on the top of SHARP TOP Mountain.. (A nice couple we met took our picture)

From the top of SHARP TOP,  you can see Abbott Lake and the Peaks of Otter where we stayed... It was gorgeous up on that mountain  (at 3875 feet high--one of VA's highest peaks)

REFLECTIONS on Abbott Lake at sunset one evening --as we walked around the lake;   Walking around the lake both evenings was one of my favorite things to do...  Talk about peaceful!

The first night (9/13/16) we walked around the lake at sunset,  the sky was clear and there were no clouds...  BUT---we enjoyed an 'almost' full moon over the water...  (Very ROMANTIC as we walked around the lake)

SUNSET the next night (9/14/16) --showing lots of pretty, colorful clouds--as we walked around the lake;

Another picture showing a very happy woman ---along the Blue Ridge Parkway;  OH how I love being on 'top of the world'.

It had been many years since we had been to the NATURAL BRIDGE in Virginia --so we decided to check it out again...  This is one amazing natural bridge (215 feet high and 90 feet wide).  A website to read more is  HERE.

We hiked on Cedar Creek Trail and checked out a little Indian Village (Monacan Indians).  

Of course,  we just HAD to check out LACE FALLS (along Cedar Creek Trail) --which was a new waterfall to add to our long list  of waterfalls we have seen since  2001.

Beautiful MABRY MILL (along the Blue Ridge Parkway on 9/15/16);  We walked around the area enjoying the grist mill,  sawmill,  blacksmith shop,  old Appalachian homeplace, etc... VERY nice history and demonstrations!! For more information about MARBY MILL,  click HERE.

We enjoyed the Mabry Mill area ---and seeing and reliving history!  We also ate lunch at their CAFE ---and I had one of the best Fried Green Tomato, Bacon and homemade Pimento Cheese Sandwiches on Sourdough Bread that I've EVER had.... YUM.

Hope you enjoyed seeing a few of our pictures from this great little trip to Virginia... This picture was taken on 9/14/16 as we enjoyed just sitting by the lake having fun together...

The bottom line is that we DID come home refreshed and feeling MUCH better... Sometimes,  we ALL just need a break from life ---to relax and enjoy new surroundings....

Have a wonderful week, my Friends.

Hugs,

Our Annual Vacation to the Beach --May 15-20, 2016

Hello Blog Friends,  As many of you know,  we went on vacation last week to one of our favorite places,  the Islander Inn at Ocean Isle Beach,  North Carolina.   I'm a 'mountain gal' at heart ---but just HAVE to get to the beach once or twice a year.  We've been to this location in May for the past 10+ years ----and a few years ago,  we added a trip there also in early December.  I wouldn't want to "live" permanently at the beach --but getting my 'beach fix' once or twice a year is PERFECT for me.

I say this most every year,  but THIS year seemed to be one of our BEST trips there (even with a few 'negatives' in the mix).   The negatives:  weather (only saw the sun one morning during our time there, and it was very COOOOOOLLL);  too many people  (we went later in the month than we usually go --and the Inn was full, and you know how much we don't like crowds);  too many barking ("YAPPY") dogs...  An ASIDE:  I love dogs,  but I don't understand why adults can't train their dogs NOT to bark NON-STOP.... Gads!!!!  Kids screaming and having fun didn't bother me nearly as much as the constant and continuous barking dogs...

NOW--put all of the 'negatives'  away ---and realize that if you are George and me,  you know how to make the best of all situations...  Here are the positives:  We did enjoy the beach (sitting and walking) despite the weather --and it never did rain much;   We had jackets and sweatshirts with us so we didn't get too cold;  The weather could have been MUCH worse;  We didn't need sunscreen at all on this trip (HA HA);  The best news pertaining to the weather was that we were able to get more relaxing done --including sleeping,  reading,  just vegging out!!!!!  Both of us GO-GO-GO in our normal lives,  so just total relaxation was NEEDED and we loved it!

Another great positive was the fact that we found a new-to-us awesome PARK  (Sunset Beach Town Park) where there were very few people and where we could walk,  sit or swing with a view of the water,  listen to and watch the birds, and  enjoy one of the neatest patriotic monuments I have ever seen....  We could get away from the crowds at this park ----so we went there several times.... LOVED it.

Today,  I'll share some pictures from this awesome vacation--including a hike to see some waterfalls on the first day.   The picture at the top though is one of my favorite memories.  We are sitting on one of the many comfy swings at the park... It was so enjoyable and ROMANTIC.

We hiked about 2+ miles in the mountains of North Georgia (near Clayton) on May 15 --and saw 3 waterfalls and some huge cascades.  We hiked on the  Holcomb Creek Trail --and saw  Holcomb Creek Falls,  Ammons Creek Falls (where this picture was taken) and  Upper Holcomb Creek Falls.

One of the beauties about hiking in the mountains this time of year is seeing all of the wildflowers and bushes in bloom.  This is MOUNTAIN LAUREL --and it was gorgeous in those mountains.

This is our home away from home,  the Islander Inn at Ocean Isle beach, NC.  We enjoyed leaving our door opened the entire time (including nights) just to hear the roar of the ocean... That makes for GREAT sleeping, you know.  We also enjoyed eating and also doing our devotions on our balcony....

Right after we checked into our room on May 16,  we took a walk on the beach (one of our favorite things to do).  I love watching the swell of the waves as they crash into shore.

Our VERY favorite seafood restaurant is in Calabash,  NC.. Its name is DOCKSIDE --and George says that we go to the beach JUST to go to Dockside... ha ha... This is a side view of Dockside from the pier --where they bring all of that fresh seafood in that we enjoy so much.

From the pier near Dockside Seafood Restaurant,  I was looking the other direction showing you more of the fishing boats and the beautiful water. 

The first night we were there is when we just happened to find this awesome little park (Sunset Beach Town Park).. It is located between Calabash (where our favorite restaurants are) and Ocean Isle --so it's in a perfect location.  I was thrilled just to cuddle with my Sweetheart on that swing every time we were there.

There were a few times when the weather was good enough to take off the jackets and enjoy walking on the beach.

We took many pictures from the PARK... I loved this one  showing that reflection of the little Palm Tree.

I loved this picture of George paying tribute to our awesome FLAG.  This patriotic monument was honoring all of the veterans who fought for our freedoms.  Don't you love the statue?  I could do an entire blog post (and MAY) about this monument.  We stopped and payed our respects every time we were at that park.

Some nice lady volunteered to take our picture one day when we were taking our walk on the beach.

Another view from the PARK:  Again,  the reflections were perfect that day!

Guess where we are?   IF you have ever been to Calabash,  North Carolina,  you MUST have visited the Calabash Creamery for some homemade Ice Cream.... WELL---we were there one evening---maybe two---maybe THREE.....   Someone told me once that CALORIES don't count when one is on vacation.  I'm sure they are correct,  aren't they?????? ha ha

Do you think this old woman loves ICE CREAM??????   YUMMMMMMM... (Yes--I do!!!!).. This flavor was called Cheesecake.... Oh My HEART!!!!!

On the water at Sunset Beach Town Park,  May 18, 2016.   (If you can see the bridge in the distance,  that is the bridge to Ocean Isle Beach.)

Well----that gives you a synopsis of our wonderful trip.  The worst part was coming home with a terrible Stomach Virus/Bug/Food Poisoning.. BOTH of us got sick on the way home on the 20th...  Needless to say,  that part was NOT fun --but I was glad we were HOME when it hit hard!  We are both fine today (other than no energy at all and still feeling weak).   OKAY----forget that part,  and just remember what a marvelous trip we had this year!!!!  Thanks be to God for my life with George and all of the great times we have together.

Hugs to All,

Short Vacation to the Smokies (April 6--8, 2016)

Cades Cove ---a "not-to-miss" area in the Smokies!

George and I enjoy spending a few fun-filled days in our Smoky Mountains (which are only about 2 hours from where we live).  BUT--we like to go there during the 'off-seasons' when the traffic is not horrible and when there are not many people.  HOWEVER,  we blew it this year --by going the first week of April... There were TONS of people around (due to Spring Breaks in various states/areas I guess)---and it felt almost like it feels when one goes there during the summer!!!!

BUT--we didn't let that stop us from having a great time... We spent two nights at one of our favorite old Gatlinburg motels (Rocky Waters).   We enjoyed a couple of fantastic dinners while there (one at the Ole Mill in Pigeon Forge and one at the Applewood Farmhouse in Sevierville).... 

We hiked (DID WE EVER HIKE!!!!) for two days.  One was our visit to Cades Cove including the hike to Abrams Falls..  We finished that day with about 7.5 miles on our FITBITS.  Then the next day,  we drove to Cosby and hiked to Hen Wallow Falls.  That day we completed over 6.3 miles...   (Talk about being TIRED once we got home!!!! ha)

On our last day,  we spent the morning at one of our favorite RELAXATION spots in the Smokies,  Greenbriar.  George enjoyed taking his fabulous water shots --and I enjoyed sitting on a big rock enjoying nature all around me.

One last thing we did before heading home was stopping in Sevier County to see the Harrisburg Covered Bridge.  We were on the back roads between Cosby and Sevierville (trying to avoid the traffic) ---so we just HAD to stop and see this historic bridge.

Today I'll share some pictures of this wonderful trip...  Sometimes,  it is just FUN to get-away ---even for a few days!!!  Hope you enjoy this set... The picture at the top is at gorgeous CADES COVE in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.. IF you look closely, you can see deer grazing in the field.

Another picture at Cades Cove;  If/when you visit here,  take an entire day to stop all along the way, and visit all of the wonderful history about the people many years ago who lived in this valley.

Here's one more old cabin in Cades Cove.

The hike to Abrams is pretty--although quite long if you are not used to longer hikes. 

George got "up close and personal" with Abrams Falls.  See him there?

Here is one of George's FANTASTIC waterfall pictures.  This is Abrams Falls in Cades Cove,  Great Smoky Mountain National Park (4-6-16).

Here is a picture of us at Abrams Falls. 

The next day (4-7-16),  we hiked to Hen Wallow Falls.  The trail was pretty along creeks and rhododendrons, but the elevation change is wicked.  I got more 'floors' (stairs/hills) on my FITBIT than I have ever gotten (142) on a single day, since we got our devices in May last year.  The good news was that it was downhill most of the way back!!!!! ha

Again,  I captured George climbing all over the big boulders to get a good picture of Hen Wallow Falls.

This is one of the awesome pictures George captured on 4/7/16  of Hen Wallow Falls, near Cosby,  in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Here's a picture of George and me at Hen Wallow Falls.  There was another family nearby who sorta took over the area --so we didn't have a good place for our pictures... BUT--we had some lunch there and enjoyed ourselves anyhow.

The last day (4/8/16),  we visited Greenbriar in the Smokies.  George turned around when I hollered at him.  He was busy taking more and more pictures of that glorious water in that area.

Here's one of George's terrific pictures from Greenbriar (4/8/16).   We LOVE being there.  My kids used to swim in this area. 

Of course,  we just had to take our picture together in Greenbriar.   After those long hikes on the previous two days,  it felt good just RELAXING and enjoying nature.

The Historic Harrisburg Covered Bridge,  Sevier County, TN

After leaving Greenbriar,  we stopped to see this beautiful covered bridge (which they still use).  This bridge was originally built in 1875...   Amazing!!!!

Here's one more picture of this well-kept Covered Bridge.  It's not far from the hustle and bustle of Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.  SO---if you are ever in that area,  do not miss this beauty!!!!

Well---that was our little trip in a nutshell!!!!  We accomplished everything we had intended to do:  lots of hiking,  seeing waterfalls,  good food and just relaxing and enjoying one another...

Have a wonderful week.  Can you believe that it's almost MAY?  And --we are headed out soon for another short trip!!!!

Hugs,