2026

Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to SEPTEMBER. My header photo this month shows a gorgeous picture showing the Great Smoky Mountains from the Foothills Parkway. God's Blessings to YOU for an awesome month.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Where the Wealthy Go on Vacation


I'm sure that there are many places in this world where the wealthy go to get away from their busy lives. One place they may go is to the MOUNTAIN AIR RESORT near Burnsville, NC (in the Blue Ridge Mountains northeast of Asheville). Mountain Air is a gated community which has luxurious homes, condos, cabins, etc.

George and I definitely are NOT wealthy (except in our hearts)---but we were invited to visit George's son and family at Mountain Air the weekend of July 10. They were vacationing in a gorgeous condo (which belongs to Melissa's parents) at Mountain Air. We had a marvlous time ---and they took us on a 'tour' of the area. That weekend, I felt as if I really was one of the 'privileged'.... (Of course it helped that the young people 'spoiled' us while we were there.)

Today I'm going to show you some of the pictures that we took while in the Mountain Air Resort area. In another blog post, I will show you some of the gorgeous views from these mountains--but today, let me introduce to 'how the other half live'.... Above is a picture of one of the golf courses which were built all over that mountain. Below are more pictures. Be sure and click on the pictures to make them larger--for better viewing.






On the top of the mountain, there is a beautiful 'mall' area ---filled with shops, a restaurant, a golf pro shop, a swimming pool and even a putting green --in the middle of all of the shops/stores.






Wouldn't you love to go swimming in THIS pool???? Look at the view!!!! Wow!





Do you see the tee on this hole????? Look at the top--near the left---way up there!!!! Mercy!





This is the 'kicker'!!!! This resort has its own private airstrip. People can fly their private planes into the resort and spend the weekend at their mountain homes. The resort management will pick people up when the airplane comes in ---and take them to their homes. The resort will also have their home 'ready' for them!!!!!! Talk about the LIFE!!!!





Which one of those private airplanes do you want????? I'll take ANY of them. ha





We rode around the resort (which is HUGE) and were impressed at some of the landscaping and beauty around us. I loved this little covered bridge.






The area we are entering here is called Timber Sky. I like the way they used 'timber' for decoration--across the road.





In the same area, look how they used 'timber' as the bridge railings. Neat, huh?





Here is one of the many multi-million dollar homes we saw --sitting on the edge of the mountains. You have to see these homes in order to realize the beauty. We walked in one unfinished one... HUGE!!!!! And to think---most of the people who own homes such as this probably own 4-5 homes like this. Unbelievable!!!!! One of the homes we saw (it may have been this one) belonged to the Chef Boyardee family. Another one we saw belonged to the Oreck Family--you know, the vacuum cleaner family!!!!





Here's another home ---as seen from the road below. The pictures just don't do them justice. These were homes that were built with native stone and wood ---which helped them fit into the environment in the area. They were simply GORGEOUS!!





I'll close showing you one of the great views we had ---from all of the areas around Mountain Air. Wouldn't you just love to have a cabin on top of this mountain with THIS view?????? Wow!


Hugs,

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sliding Rock, NC


On July 10, George and I met his son, grandson, son's girlfriend and her son in North Carolina for a couple of days of fun. George's son (Bob) and family live in Florida --but were vacationing at a condo at Mountain Air (near Burnsville, NC) owned by Melissa's parents. They invited us to come and visit them while they were there.


The first day we had a picnic at PINK BEDS. After lunch and a hike, we drove south to let the kids play at Sliding Rock. The Sliding Rock area is literally a cascade of water flowing over some huge rocks. It's one of the most popular places for tourists and locals in the summertime, as evidenced by the number of people there. Above is a picture of Sliding Rock --and below are more of the kids and Bob sliding down that rock!!!!









First, Bob and the 2 boys had to stand in line in order to get in that COLD water!!!!!









OH---that water IS cold. AND---we have to sit down in it!!!! Yipes!









Here we go!!!!! The nine-year old seems to love it.... Daddy is holding his son (age 5).









Uh-Oh.... Dad and son got separated!!!!!!









In the water, Little Guy looks like he's ready to get out of there!!!! ha









Okay----let's do it all again.... Little Guy is still not sure of all of this!!!! ha









This time, Dad and son stayed together!!!!!









Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 'sliders'---I also enjoyed seeing the blooming Rhododendrons all around the area. Click on these last three pictures to get a better view of the Rhododendrons.











Standing on the little bridge, I took this picture of the creek --with Rhododendrons on both sides. Gorgeous!!!!!









One more picture of the creek and the Rhododendron; We just happened to get there at the perfect time to see all of the blooms.


If you have kids or grandkids and are in the mountains of North Carolina in summer, be sure to take them to Sliding Rock. They will love it ---and even some brave adults (even older ones) enjoyed it also!!!!! Me????? I prefer to take the pictures!!!! ha ha


Hugs,