Virginia

On Monday we went for another drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway in a different directions. I could put lots of pictures that would not show just how beautiful it is. The Parkway is a two lane road with views on both sides. You drive for miles and never pass another car. If one is going to ever go on a road trip this would be one not to miss.
Our camp at Goose Point was great, with so little time to see things we could have just stayed at camp and enjoyed it and the weather. Maybe next time.
Tuesday came and time to pack up to head home. When we got into Ohio, they had rain for three days lots of flooding in the lakes and creeks. Hit a bad storm that I am not sure how Mike drove, I could not see a thing. Thank goodness it only lasted about a half hour but at the time seemed for ever. Somehow we lost two hubcaps off the silver slipper.
When we got to Salt Fork State Park we were not sure what it would be like because of all the rain. As it turned out the site we reserved was pretty wet and muddy. But the good news very few campers. As we looked around for a new site came upon one area with no campers. We took it. Felt like our on campground.
The weather cleared enough to take the dogs for a walk but not enough to see much. Had the weather been better we would have stayed another night. Had another bad storm.
We would come back to this park another time.
Even with rain, storms loss of hubcaps it was a great trip!

Picnic area at camp

Amphitheater with Ranger Mike

Nosy Maggie

Monday

Boy time fly's I can't believe it is Monday already.
Yesterday we had to dump (fun, but important thing to do) since we had to go we decided to move to another camp spot just a few rows down, has more sun still great view.
Got a late start but drove some of the blue ridge parkway. It is really pretty. The dogwoods and red buds are really in bloom and everything is so green. Had lots of sun and was warm.
Came back and made a new dessert for dinner Dark chocolate cake baked in a hollowed out orange on the grill. Yummy.
Today we are going to go a different direction on the Parkway it looks like the weather is going to be nice again.
It is also Deke's birthday it was one year ago we rescued him.
I am looking out my window at the water, blue ridge mountains and a beautiful dogwood and this is what camping is about for us the simple things that can make you just take the time to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature around you.

Virginia

Its Saturday and raining like crazy!
Yesterday we went for a drive and stopped at another State Park then came back and took the dogs on a walk. Really no hiking but they have a sidewalk lined with lights so you can walk down at night to the amphitheater. Everywhere you look is woods and water. It would be a great place to bring your boat. Mike and Maggie are becoming quite the nosy campers having to see what everyone is doing.
The rain is suppose to let up later tonight if not we will need a ark.
Kinda nice Mike is reading, Deke and Maggie just relaxing and I doing my blog.
All's good in the silver slipper.

First trip of 2011

Our first trip of 2011!

We left on Wednesday for Virginia. First stop was at a private campground that sucked! But the good news we just drove in spent the night and drove out first thing.
Had a good drive to our destination Goose Point Federal Park. It is sooooo beautiful. We are right on the water and looking at the blue ridge mountains.
Now for the bad news, I forgot my cord to down load my pictures. That being said I will have to put pictures on when I get home. If by some chance we find a place to buy a new one we will.

Take my word this is beautiful here.

Mom's 80th Birthday

Wow it has been a long time since my last post. What a long winter.
My mom's birthday is in March and she turned 80! I wanted to do something special with her. She was in Florida and I came up with the idea to pick her up and go on a road trip. Looking at different options I came up with her picking me up at the airport and we would drive to Savannah GA, then go on to Pennsylvania so she could see Marissa.
The drive was pretty from Clearwater to Savannah stopped along the way for fresh OJ.
We stayed at a hotel called Avia and really liked it. I had read of a restaurant called the Pirates House, that is in the oldest home in Savannah. Went down and our bellman Lester suggested we take a Pedi ride to it. I think that was mom's favorite part of Savannah. No pictures of the food it was not great, service was just as bad. But hey it's the Pirates House arrrrrrr. We walked back to the hotel and had a glass of Champagne.
Next day we started out with a great breakfast of grits, my first. Hey we are in the south and they were good. Walked around alittle then we took a carriage ride, it was a nice way to get a little history of Savannah.
Now for the best part for me lunch. Went to the Olde Pink House that was on Food Networks My Favorite Things. We had a BLT fried green tomato salad. It was soooooo good. We also had a chicken BBQ slider with french fries, yum! Our lunch was great.
Later went back to hotel, they have a roof top patio where we had a cocktails.
For dinner that night we went to Garibaldi Cafe, more fried green tomato's only they had a red sauce with basil. Good but not like lunch.
Savannah is so cool. We were in the historic district and lucky enough so see Azaleas in full bloom.
Next morning we headed for PA. Drove further then we thought but just made Friday's drive shorter.
Got into PA in time to have lunch with Marissa.
Mom and I looked around some then checked into a bed and breakfast that is very nice.
Marissa picked us up later and we went out to dinner with her and Tish. Then on to play domino's. Saturday was really nice we had the whole day with Marissa. Sunday came too fast and time to head home.
I am so happy to be able to have had this time with my mom. I love you and we will have some funny things to laugh about on our first road trip.
Love you Mom Happy 80th Birthday.

Chad our Pedi ride driver

Mom with her Champagne Bottle!

Grits for Breakfast

BLT Fried Green Tomato Salad

Mom trying to hide from me!

Christmas in Scottsdale AZ 2010

This Christmas the whole family headed west. Mike and I left out driving with luggage, car seats, and what ever else we could get in the car. We were packed! On the way we got caught in heavy rain just outside Albuquerque New Mexico and had to stop for the night. It turned out to be perfect. The next morning we realized how close we were to the Petrified Forest National Park. Not having to be anywhere at a certain time worked out great. We drove threw and it really is amazing. Not a tree in the whole forest. I had never seen petrified wood and was surprised how it looks like rock. Decided to take the scenic route to Scottsdale AZ. Wow again we came upon the White Mountains and with every curve we both for better words had a constant WOW.
We got into Scottsdale a day before getting the house we rented found a hotel and just relaxed for the night.
Next morning got around and went to the house. Next step unloading the car, then to get all the necessities before the kids arrive.
Christmas Eve and off to the airport to pick everybody up. Flights on time and so fun to see the little ones faces.
We came back everyone settled in had lunch, kids swam and played. Adults relaxed and enjoyed the sun.
Christmas day the kids opened there stockings from Santa and we had our traditional breakfast just like home.
Mike and Chad set out for the golf course. We girls enjoyed watching the kids play in the pool. Jenny and Taylor had some competitive water challenges that we all made up for them. Marissa and I on the side lines laughing like crazy (you had to have been there).
At this point Marissa and I decide we to can be competitive so we make Sangria.
Sunday we all head for MacDonalds Ranch. Sophia takes a pony ride (that is the biggest pony I ever saw). Then on to the petting farm. I will not be able to tell you how funny this ends up but I am going to try. They have these goats ok, so far so good. Then we go into the rabbit cage, but the goats got in, rabbits running, goats going crazy after the rabbits food, Jenny and I are trying to heard these goats out one jumps up on the shelf where the rabbit food is Jenny had to pull it down, I grab a bowl with food in it trying to get the goats to follow me, start to get them out one gets back in and I am tossing the food away from pen to try and get goats away, suddenly the pony, potbelly pigs are all wanting some of the action. It turned out one goat did but Jenny in the leg (she is ok) and Jenny and I just look at each other like where is everybody else. On the sidelines! We laughed so hard. Jenny you and I could live on a farm. Sophia did finally get to pet a bunny. After that we headed out of the petting farm. Next we girls went on a trail ride. Love you girls, and yes I am a equestrian.
Monday Jenny, Chad and the girls went to Tuscon to see Chad's Aunt and Uncle.
Mike, Marissa and I headed to Sedona. Marissa had never been and also had not done the Pink Jeep tour. The beauty of Sedona made us forget that it was cold. Needless to say Marissa loves the west. Had a great day.
Tuesday was the last day for Sun, and warm enough for the girls to swim. Mike and Chad golfed.
The weather may not have been the best but the company was great.
Love you guys.
Also I know a couple of pictures are out of order, I had almost as much trouble getting the picture of Jenny and Sophia with the bunny as getting the goats out.