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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Beautiful Lilies in our Yard --2019 (Part II)

Muscadet Lilies 6/29/19

Dear Blog Friends,   Thank You so much for all of your wonderful comments on my last post.  Many of you remember the book,  "A Girl of the Limberlost". The book was written by Gene Stratton-Porter (first published in 1909) --and is a story about Elnora Comstock,  an Indiana girl who grew up on the edge of the Limberlost swamp. In order to pay for her education,  she collected moths.  Elnora's beauty of soul and love of nature continues to charm readers of all ages.   IF you want more information on this book,  click HERE.

Today --I'm showing you MY love of nature.  Here is one more post of the beautiful LILIES in our Yard this year.   If you missed seeing Part I,  be sure and read it first.  Click HERE.   We are so fortunate to have had so many blooming Lilies in our yard this year... Hope you enjoy seeing more of my favorite pictures of the LILIES.

Another view of some of the Lilies on our deck... 6/10/19;  They all bloomed at various times over a couple of months,  so I not only enjoyed seeing them and smelling them from outside, but also from inside our home.

Orange Electric Lily,  6/4/19

Pink Lemonade Lilies,  6/12/19

Our first Lilies to bloom;  These are Crimson Pixie Lilies-- 5/18/19

My overall favorite bloomers this year were our Muscadet Lilies..  We were fortunate to have them bloom both on the deck and in our front yard.  Picture was taken 7/6/19;

Sarena  Lily,  5/29/19

Our Lamppost Lilies in the front yard,  6/4/19;   This is the group of Lilies we sometimes lose to the deer --but this summer,  the deer left them alone!!  The yellow ones are Sarena,  and the pink ones are  Pink Lemonade.  

An up-close-and-personal picture of our Muscadet Lily,   7/1/19

Oh --the beautiful Stargazer Lily,   7/6/19

Stargazer Lilies on the left and Muscadet Lilies on the right,   7/6/19

A beautiful group of Lilies,  named  Purple Prince,  6/22/19

Another favorite,  Rosella's Dream Lilies,  6/12/19

Well Friends,   this wraps up my pictures of our beautiful Lilies...   I dearly love Lilies --and have been SO happy with all of the ones on the deck which bloomed this year in addition to the ones in the front yard.   Our flowers loved the wet winter/spring ---and that is what kept the deer away I think.   There were many more plants/weeds, etc.  growing in the woods which they could eat this year.  When there is drought,  the deer are HERE looking for anything they can find to eat.

Speaking of Drought,  we are in a really hot and dry period here now.... Strange how we always seem to get either too much rain at once, or NONE.   It gets frustrating to those of us trying to grow flowers and have a pretty yard...  Oh Well--'tis LIFE --and I still love it!!!!

If you missed checking out the link  (click HERE) talking about all of the different kinds of Lilies,  here is it again for you.   Lilies are interesting flowers for sure!!!!

Have an awesome week ---and get out in nature this week and enjoy it!!!!

Hugs,

Emoticons