OH---Those Gorgeous AZALEAS

NOTE:  This post was done before our vacation --and is not pictures from this past week.  As you know,  we have season's passes to Biltmore --so we try to go there once every month or so.  These pictures were taken on 4/14/11 ---and when we went back on 5/7/11,  things were very different.

SO---here are some pictures from our trip (4/14/11) to the Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, North Carolina.  IF you missed the first post from that trip,  click HERE.  As you can imagine,  I have many more Biltmore pictures to share --from several of our visits!!!!!

Today I am featuring JUST Azaleas--since they were so pretty when we were there... No words are needed to describe these beauties!!!  SO--just sit back and enjoy!

Above is an interesting picture of the entire Biltmore House and Gardens.  Since we have a Geo-tracker which tracks where we've been and where we take pictures,  we got this neat  picture of the entire estate.  You may need to click on it to make it larger --so that you can see the entire place.

We have marked where things are --so that you'll be able to see where we've been.  In the Winter,  we spent most of the time inside the Conservatory.   On 4/11,  we visited the Walled Garden (where we saw mostly Tulips) and we hiked down to see the Azaleas.. We also walked on down to the bass pond and the waterfall... SO---there will be more pictures to come!!!!

Have a wonderful day!!!!
Hugs,

NOTE:  Blogger had a huge problem and lost all of my comments on this blog.  I had about 30 comments --before it republished with NO comments.. 

Ocean Isle Beach, A Piece of Heaven!!

Since we go to Ocean Isle at least once a year (twice in 2010)---you have already seen alot of our pictures from there.  It is truly our kind of place... The Islander Inn is just exactly what we want when we go to the beach... It's north of Myrtle Beach --away from the crowds.  And yet,  we are close enough to go to the 'city' if we want to!!!!

The Inn offers a delicious breakfast buffet.  Our room is perfect for us and includes all of the amenities of a nice motel room.   And, as I said in Monday's post,  we love being directly ON the beach --so that we can enjoy the beach and ocean from our balcony.  Today I will share a few more pictures from this year's trip to the beach..

This is the pool and Tiki Hut/Bar at the Islander Inn.  There weren't many people swimming in the pool this week--but there were a few sunbathers, and people sitting by the pool off and on during the week.  George and I enjoy the beach more than the pool --so we don't spend much time there.  I'm sure this is a busy pool/area during the tourist season though.

The Islander Inn has a wonderful little gazebo.   People will sit out there on a hot day and read or just enjoy the ocean sounds.  There are MANY weddings here at the Islander Inn.  People will rent rooms at the Inn for the wedding party,  and get married on the beach. You can see all of the white chairs stored on  the left of the walkway to the beach.  These chairs are used for weddings.

Here is a picture of our little balcony.  We sat there many hours this past week,  doing our daily devotions --or reading--or just enjoying the ocean/beach.

I took this picture of George from our balcony taking a walk along the beach (with camera in hand).  Can you see him???

Here is one of the many pictures he took of the waves,  up close and personal.

AND---I love this picture of the fishing pier George took---showing a great reflection on the sand.   Neat huh???

This time of year,  the sun sets on the front side of the Islander Inn.  George went out front several nights trying to get some great sunset pictures, over the houses across the road.  I think this is a good one of the sky after the sun had set.

Hope you enjoyed seeing more of our pictures from the Islander Inn at Ocean Isle Beach in southern North Carolina.

Have a wonderful day.
Hugs,