A "Fantabulous" Week

George and I just returned from another terrific trip to Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina....  We couldn't have picked a better week to be there since there was NOT one drop of RAIN all week... Yeah!!!!!  It was warm and breezy --but not hot and humid.  There were very few people around --so we had the place to ourselves most of the week.  We soaked in the sun on the beach,  caught up with our reading and relaxing,  got some sleep and naps,  did some walking,  took lots of pictures,  and best of all--had some delicious seafood....  Couldn't have been better!!!!

On the way to the beach we stopped in South Carolina to check out Bull Sluice..  I will show some pictures of that in another blog.  Then,  on the way home,  we made a quick stop at Biltmore --to see if they had any new flowers blooming...   YES--they DID!!!!! WOW....   Like I said,  it was a fantastic week!!!!  BUT--it's nice to be home!

As you can imagine,  we took lots of pictures off and on during the trip..  Today,  I'll show you a few from the beach,  from Biltmore ----and our yard when we got home.

Above is a picture showing the Islander Inn where we stayed.  Our room was in Building Two (2nd from right --above the gazebo) --and we were in the top room on the left.   We absolutely love being RIGHT on the beach.  We leave our door opened all night --so that we can hear the waves.  It's awesome!!!!  Below are a few more.

See those chairs out there (on the right)??? That is our 'set-up'.... We spent quite a bit of time out there --both mornings and afternoons..  NICE!!!

Here's a gorgeous view of the ocean from our balcony.  That is the fishing pier on the left.  George has some great pictures taken in and around that pier.

Guess what we saw when we got to Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville, NC??????   Lots of ROSES.....  You can only imagine what a Happy Camper George was checking them all out.  Come to find out that we have quite a few of their Hybrid Teas and Grandafloras in our yard!!!  How 'bout that?????  Above is a photo of just SOME of their many, many rose bushes at Biltmore.

Not only did we see beautiful Roses at Biltmore,  but we also saw many fabulous Rhododendron bushes.




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But---after seeing all of the beauty at the beach and at Biltmore,  we headed home...  To our great surprise,  look what was smiling at us when we pulled in the driveway...  Our two pink Azaleas in the front yard were putting on a show ---just for our return,  I'm sure.... ha

And this  is our big 'road' flowerbed --also putting on a show.  The Irises are beautiful and we have LOTS of Roses blooming now.... YEAH!!!!!!!  There will be many more pictures to come --not only from our yard, but also from Biltmore and from the beach...

Hope all of you had a good week and a blessed Mother's Day yesterday.  I talked to all three of my wonderful sons, and my Sweetheart brought four gorgeous Roses inside for me to enjoy... Life is good --what else can I say?????

Hugs,

Let's Talk Friday: Vacation Spots

I recently read an article online listing the Top Ten USA Vacation Spots...  Except for Las Vegas, this particular article only mentioned STATES (not specific areas).... But--it's interesting to see what people choose as the 'top' vacation spots  when you read these types of articles... The Top Ten list in the article I read includes:

• Hawaii
• Las Vegas
• Florida
• California
• Texas
• Georgia
• Virginia
• New York
• North Carolina
• Colorado

What do you think of a list like this????   I personally (when reading about a 'popular' vacation spot)  usually decide NOT to go there --because so many places are nothing but tourist traps --and wall-to-wall people....  We live near the Great Smoky Mountains (which for some reason didn't make this list) --but it is a very popular vacation spot for many people.  George and I stay away from the Smokies during the tourist seasons because we don't like sitting in traffic or waiting in lines.. Besides--we love the mountains when there are FEW people around!

I guess that is why we choose places like Mt. Nebo, Arkansas or  Ocean Isle Beach,  North Carolina.  Those two places are fabulous ---but would probably never make a "Top Ten" list.   Mt. Nebo is a state park on the top of a mountain.  Ocean Isle is a beach town north of Myrtle Beach.   Myrtle Beach is one of those touristy places where we would not choose to stay.

Mt. Nebo and Ocean Isle Beach are two places we visit at least once every year (sometimes more).  BUT--we've had other great vacations since getting married.  Our South Caribbean Honeymoon Cruise will always stand out as a fabulous vacation.  Then there was the trip to see Niagara Falls... AND--we loved our visit to Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown...  Oh My---I will never forget our Virginia trip to the Shenandoah Valley, or our trip to Charleston/Savannah....  This coming Summer,  we'll be visiting the Grand Canyon--so I cannot wait for that trip.

It's hard to choose a favorite vacation --but I guess if I 'had' to choose one of ours,  I would choose the South Caribbean Cruise.  It was the first cruise for both of us --and we were newlyweds...

Here are some places which I would love to see sometime:  Alaska,  Hawaii,   Yellowstone,  Yosemite.  I'm sure there are others,  but these four come to mind quickly.

My questions today:
-What is your favorite vacation EVER --if you had to choose only one?
-What are some other places you haven't been --but would love to visit?

Speaking of vacations,  we are taking a BLOG VACATION this next week.   We'll be back on Monday,  May 9th.  Have a wonderful week.

UPDATE:  I wrote this blog post a week ago,  but after all of the damage and devastation caused by tornadoes in our country this past Wednesday,  I really thought about doing something different.  I hate thinking about vacations when so many people don't even have a home to live in anymore. 


But--after thinking about it,  I decided to go ahead and use this one.  BUT--I'll end with a request:   Please say a prayer for all of the people who suffered so much loss due to the tornadoes.  And--if you have a little extra money,  give a donation to the American Red Cross for them.

Hugs, Prayers and THANKS!!!

P.S.  ALL photos/illustrations came from the internet.