Adventures...

"Photography is a love affair with life." -Burk Uzzle

Most of the time when we (Warren and I) came to NC to visit our son, Luke, we spent working on projects, or babysitting.  We did not mind...we were happy to do so.  But now that Warren has retired, and time is not a constraint, we are exploring this amazing part of the world.  We visited downtown Asheville.  It was okay...it reminded me a lot of Santa Fe.  I did find some work I liked by photographer,  Walter Arnold who has made him home in Hendersonville.  His work centers around "the art of abandonment", which is my cup of tea.  Here's some of his work:

photo by Walter Arnold

photo by Walter Arnold

And here is one of mine...

Photo by Rob McKelvy...abandoned car down the street from our house

Don't you think our photos are quite similar?  He has been many more places than I, and I wish I could visit some of his abandoned places where he found such interesting, and forgotten items.

The next item on our to do, and see list was The Grove Park Inn in Asheville.  Now that was an adventure!  It was like staying in a mini town.  The Inn is made of rock with a roof that looks like it belongs to a Hobbit.

Grove Park Inn, front entrance (photo from website)

Grove Park Inn, back view (photo through a window, by me)

Their sports complex was like a YMCA complete with aerobic classes, land and water.  The SPA is fabulous...

Spa (photo from website)

There are many hiking trails...

Warren...do you think he qualifies as wildlife?

Great vistas...

When we first checked in, the lady at the desk told us we would have a great view of the courtyard.  We were pretty excited about that, but when we got to the room, all we had a view of was the roof top.  That would never do.  We asked to be changed to a different room.  This was the view from our second room...much better for sure.

View from our window.  

I loved how the windows in the room were crank windows that could be opened. The smell, and breeze of the fresh air made it like we were part of the great outdoors.

I took this photo with my iPhone, and posted it on Instagram.  I later got a notice from the Grove Park Inn people asking if they could use my photo.  Of course, I said, "Yes!"

  Wonderful food...

The dining area had large windows that allowed us a beautiful view while eating.  We bought the breakfast package with our visit.  We did not hold to our eating diet while at the Inn.  They had 6 rooms with all kinds of breakfast goodies.  Everything your heart could imagine...and we had little bites of everything, and some big bites of certain ones...like their stuffed French Toast.

photo from the website 

This was our dessert from our dinner...Beeramisu...we shared it.  Was it ever heavenly.

We had a great time, and experience.  We highly recommend it.

Me and my man...still sweethearts after all these years...and best friends to boot!

Warren...notice how thick the windowsill is...

And me.  I felt like a queen.

While Warren flew home, I went to Cleveland, TN to visit a friend.  She treated me, and her daughter to the most relaxing pedicure...

Our pedicures...

fixed beautiful, and tasty meals...

Yum!

took me shopping...

Red boots...Yes!  Score!

...and drove me around, so I could get some nice photos...

Loved this mailbox outside the Duracell factory...clever!

Just like a picture postcard.  

My next adventure was at the Carl Sandburg home in Flat Rock.

Left: some of the books of Carl Sandburg.  He had 17,000.  Rooms and rooms from floor to ceiling.  Many had tabs to mark his favorite places.  Top center, and far right:  the garden on the Sandburg property, and the most wonderful scarecrow watches over the vegetables that are growing.  Bottom Center: view from the bottom looking up at the Sandburg home.  It is located on the most gorgeous land.  No wonder he liked it here.

But the best adventure of all, is time spent with my grandkids...

Picnic in the park

Sawyer...

Tate...

and Luke...

Luke took me out for dinner, and afterwards we took in a 3D movie.  It was a fun night for this old lady...indeed.

Be blessed, and encouraged...Life is beautiful!

Update...

"Do your little bit of good where you are...
It's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."-Desmond Tutu

I cannot believe it has been so long since my last post.  I thought I'd better get something posted before I have a novel...and way too many pictures.

Days after Warren's retirement, we hit the road for some adventure.  Warren brought a couple of his bikes with him, so he could bike with Luke...which was first up on our to do list.  He had to stop a few times to make some minor bike holding adjustments.

We were so excited to see our grandkids...

Sawyer...before the new haircut...

Tate...also before the new haircut...

Nothing like enjoying July 4th cupcakes...and wearing them.

Sawyer

Tate...oh this sure is good.

Luke had a July 4th party...one of the guests brought the boys balls for the 4th.  They were a big hit with them...

Tate, and his new ball...

Sawyer and his new ball.

That night we loaded up and went to the city fireworks...selfies with their Mimi...
They are sporting their new hairdos.

Sawyer and Mimi

Tate, and Mimi

They were also super-heros...

Super hero Sawyer

Super hero Tate

Able to leap buildings with a single bound...

Jumping 

Notice the shoes on the wrong feet...he put them on himself...he fixed them after a couple of jumps...they didn't feel right he said.

But there is no hero like their daddy.  They love that he plays the guitar and sings to them.  They want to learn too...

Guitar lesson

Like always, no story would be complete without something on my cat, Maggie.  We brought her along since we did not want to leave her at home or board her for three weeks.  She had done well.  She is leery of the twins, so she spends a lot of time under the bed or couch when they are around.

Longing to go outside...

That's it for now...stay tuned...more to come.