North Carolina Visit to See Family

After our trip to Kentucky,  we made another short trip---this time to visit George's son and family from Florida,  who were vacationing at the Mountain Air Resort near Burnsville,  North Carolina.  Melissa's parents own this condo --so it's a great place to meet  up with them when they vacation here.

I call your attention to two other blog posts (which I wrote on another visit --in 2009).  This first one  (click HERE) shows you some family pictures taken when we were there four years ago... This next one  (click HERE) shows more pictures from this ritzy resort (where the wealthy people fly their private planes in and vacation at their million dollar homes)!!!!  There are four other blog posts from that trip --if you want to see more.  Just go to my sidebar and click on Mountain Air Resort.  Much has changed in these four years... Zack and Sean have grown-up,  and even the trees which allowed a great view from the deck at the condo have grown up and are obscuring the view... Shame on them!!!!! ha ha

Today,  I will share with you photos from this year's trip... Above is a picture of George's son and family (Zack-age 13;  Melissa,  Sean-age 9 in front of Melissa, and Bob/Robert).  Robert is Bob to us, and Robert or Rob to others!  Below are more photos from the Mountain Air area.

Here is a view of the mountains from the deck of the condo.  It was so nice just to sit out on the deck (even though it had rained some, and was only about 66 degrees that afternoon) and enjoy nature all around us.

This photo shows one of those beautiful homes at Mountain Air.   Bob did say that many homes up here are for sale now --due to the economy.  SO--even the wealthy may be struggling some!!!!!  ha   (That is one HUGE rock in front of this home.  You can only see a small part of it...

Here  is a view of the mountains.  The homes in Mountain Air are all built on the sides of the mountains --and all have a tremendous view of the mountains....All I can say is WOW.

This  is another of those tiny (NOT) homes in Mountain Air.... Mercy Me!!!!!  Wouldn't you love a 2nd home (or 3rd or 4th)---to visit on occasion in the mountains, LIKE THIS ONE????  I'd have to bring a full staff of maids with me!!!!!! ha ha   (Think I'll stick to a tiny little mountain cabin--which I would love!!! ha)

Here is another view of the mountains around that area --and the valleys below... I would love to have a view like this --but not sure I'd ever get anything else done.  I'd be staring outside all day long!!!! ha

There is a fancy golf course winding its way through these huge hills.  Here is a photo we took looking down on the golf course.   They certainly do a great job on keeping everything in good condition in this entire area--especially considering how very very steep and hilly it is!!!!  But --the owners pay steep fees in order to keep things in tip-top shape....

Here is a picture of the Master Chef at work.  Both Bob and Melissa are FABULOUS cooks ---and they served us a delicious dinner and breakfast  while we were there....  WOW---I could get spoiled by this special treatment.  Bob had made some fantastic BBQ (pulled pork) ---and we were lucky enough to get to bring some home with us.   YUM... SO delicious!!!!!!




Here are four photos showing the NIGHT SKY as it was getting dark... I love how it changes so quickly.... I couldn't quit taking pictures of that beautiful pink and purple sky.

Finally,  I'll close with one more picture of Bob and Melissa....  They are both such wonderful young adults and we enjoyed our time with them so very much... (They reminded me of my son, Jeff, and his wife, Dawn.)

Hope you had a great July 4th celebration.   AND--I hope you have a fabulous summer weekend... I'll see you on Monday!

Hugs,

Emoticons

In Memory of a Wonderful Friend

Several days ago,  I never dreamed that I would be writing this post today, especially on a happy occasion such as America's Birthday week... But---I lost another good friend on Sunday night --and have been very very sad this week.

I have known REIDA RANKIN since childhood  (we even went to Kindergarten together), and she has always been a very special friend.  And for those of you who have followed my blog for years,  you may even feel as if you knew Reida.  She's part of my Getaway Girl group ----four childhood friends who have been getting together every year since we all turned 50 in 1992.  There are 15 posts about these four friends on my blog (listed on my sidebar).  If you want to see any or all of these posts,  click HERE.

All four of us  (Reida,  me,  Susan Hollifield Daugherty, and Nita Holding Wilson) were born during the summer of 1942.... After high school,  we all went our separate ways for many years... Once we turned 50,  we decided it was time to start getting together once a year for 4-5 days of fun and fellowship.  We did that for many years...

THEN--one of us,  Susan,  found out that she had breast cancer... She fought it --but the cancer ultimately won.  Susan died in June of 2011.   Our little group went from 4 to 3.... And the sad thing is that the three of us never got together again after Susan's death.  Reida has been fighting Multiple Sclerosis for years ---and had gradually been having more problems recently.  However,  I had no idea that she was THIS sick.  She has pulled out of it so many times --so I thought she would live forever...  When I got the call Monday afternoon from her sister,  I was SHOCKED...  Now our little group is down to TWO....

BUT--the good news is that I have many many happy memories to share...  Reida is the only one of us who never got married... In fact,  her Daddy lived with her for many years --and he was well over 100 when he died...

Reida was the type of friend I could talk to about ANYTHING --and know that it wouldn't be repeated.   She and I had many fabulous conversations about LIFE through the years... She LOVED George and was so happy when I married him.  She loved my sons --and always asked about them when we would talk.  What a wonderful friend.  I will miss her FOREVER....

I'll close with 3 photos of the Getaway Girls!!!!!   As I've said many times,  there  are friends and then there are REAL FRIENDS.  Childhood friends are the BEST of all...  Reida and Susan are sitting up there on the "pink cloud" watching down and shaking their fingers at Nita and me.....

Kindergarten (1947)  Susan and Nita --at the back on left next to the window;  Reida is sitting at the table on the right end;  Betsy is at the table on the far side on right --with white bow in my hair!!!

Taken in 1993 by my son:First row:  Reida, Betsy, Nita;  Standing behind Betsy is Susan.

Taken about 1997: first row:  Betsy and Reida;  2nd row:  Nita and Susan

God Bless You,  Reida Rankin... Rest in peace, my friend.

Pray for George and me on Friday as we drive to Kingsport, TN for Reida's celebration of life service.

NOW---switch over to my Photo Blog for a great July 4th photo.  Click HERE.

Hugs,

Emoticons