• road trip

    The Gardens at Biltmore

    A few images from the Walled Garden at the Biltmore House, Asheville, North Carolina.  These were taken in the upper garden area which features the flowers.  The shrub garden is located near the conservatory but was not in bloom during our visit in early April. The photographs will show you a sample of the gardens but they barely do justice to the actual gardens which are quite breathtaking.  Looking towards the conservatory from the upper flower garden. A view of the house from the flower garden area.  

  • road trip

    Biltmore House

    During my vacation last month, I had the chance to visit the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina.  I shared this view of the house with you when I posted about the Blue Ridge Parkway a few days ago.  While it may appear that we are quite close to the house, we are actually quite far away.   Yes, it is that  large! The Biltmore House is the largest privately owned home in the United States at 175,000 square feet with 250 rooms….and it is a wonder to behold!     One of the first of many intense storms in early April blew through Asheville the night before.  We were awaken in the wee hours with rain, thunder and howling…

  • road trip

    Blue Ridge Parkway

    I had the opportunity to travel into the Blue Ridge Mountains via the Blue Ridge Parkway during my vacation last month.  We left my parents home in Catawba, South Carolina and headed west to the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway just outside of Brevard, North Carolina.  Our first destination….Looking Glass Falls.   I featured a photograph of the falls last week with my daughter and her friend…the above photograph was another favorite of mine.    As I took my photographs, the girls took the time to take their own as well. After we enjoyed our time at the falls, we headed up the byway to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This parkway has always been a favorite of mine….riding the tops…

  • Miscellaneous,  road trip

    Some of My Favorites

    I may have mentioned a time or two that I went to the beach for a couple of days not too long ago.  🙂  You saw the house we stayed at and besides those,  I took many other photos while there.  A good deal of them were of the family and the kids that came down.  I have been working on those photos most of the day…picking out the best ones so I can burn a disk for my brother’s family.  While I’m taking a break from that…I thought I would show you a few of my favorites from the trip. My daughter (left) and her best friend.

  • Life In General,  road trip

    The Turning Tide

    The weekend before last, I was invited to stay a few days at the beach with my brother and his family.  The house was huge….and gorgeous!  Located at mile post 15.5 on Beach Road, The Turning Tide was a perfect place for a getaway.  The house featured a rec room with a pool table, private pool and hot tub, six bedrooms and full baths.   Here is a little tour….. As you enter on the ground floor…. ….you first see the  Rec Room.  There is a bedroom and bath as well. Turn left, the downstairs foyer and up the stairs to the second level… ….which features a sitting area.   There is a door…

  • Life In General,  road trip

    Road Trip ~ Part III ~ Down By The River

    Before leaving for South Carolina, I did a little research on the area my parents had moved to.  I found Landsford Canal State Park was close by and decided I wanted to check it out during my visit.  Here is what the official site of South Carolina State Parks has to say about it….. A broad river, rich history and rare, hardy wildflowers come together at Landsford Canal State Park. Stretched along the Catawba River along the South Carolina fall line, the park is home to the well-preserved remains of the canal system that made the river commercially navigable from 1820 to 1835. Locks, a mill site and the lockkeeper’s home are among the…