Greetings From NH!

As you can see, we are here back in NH where it is cold, grey and not very spring like. We had a fantastic time in Western North Carolina, doing what we do best, seeing the highlights, lowlights, sampling the local beer and wine, local art and just enjoying ourselves. Our weather was very good, only one morning that had dense fog, but it fined up beautifully. Let me just recap our five day stay in Asheville NC.



Day one, the afternoon we arrive we tour the town of Asheville, getting our bearings and finding LAB, or Lexington Ave. Brewery. Very good food, local music and excellent beer that they brew on location.





Day two, drive over to the Great Smoky Mountain NP, we walked 20 feet of the Appalachian Trail, crossing the border into Tennessee, and driving around the park. From there we drove to Gatlinburg TN which, as far as we are concerned, we never have to go near again, and if we thought Gatlinburg was bad, the next town Pigeon Forge was even worse. The main street was lined with arcades, go cart racing, Dollywood (Dolly Parton's theme park), the Titanic theme park, and so on and so forth. We were so stunned we forgot to take pictures, because honestly no words can describe this place.










Day three, we went to the Biltmore, the home of George Vanderbilt built in the late 1890's. it is modeled after French chateaus and designed by Richard Morris-Hunt, and the grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park in NYC. The place is absolutely amazing and I highly advise anyone visiting the area to go see it.









Day four. It started out with a very dense fog so we decided to go to the Western NC Arboretum. It is a very beautiful garden, well layed out, and as the fog lifted it had a wonderful view of the Blue Ridge. Lunch was back to LAB for more good beer and food.



Day five, our last day we spent the morning down at the River Arts District or "RAD" in Asheville. Our first thought upon seeing a few tired mill buildings was "this is it?", for all the things we had read about it it just didn't seem right. After having a cup of coffee and finding a map and book describing all the artists, we found it encompasses many blocks down by the river and railway. The artists have taken very run down warehouses and shops and turned them into very cool galleries and studios that you are welcome to walk through. After a few hours of gallerying, we decided to drive some of the Blue Ridge Parkway and went up to Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi, who knew? I always that that distinction belonged to Mt. Washington or Mt. Kathadin. Then at last to the airport for that all important hurry up and wait. we did make all of our connections eventually arriving home at 2:30 am Thursday morning.







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Hurry up and wait

Greetings from the Asheville, NC airport. It seems we will most likely miss our connecting flight in Charlotte and we will get to stay in NC yet another night. Oh well, I suppose it could be worse.



The past few days have been full of activity and although western North Carolina abounds in beauty, it is not where we have to move to. A nice place to visit.......



Here are some images. I know Allie will have much more to say in a subsequent blog.


















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More Tales of the South

Charlestown, SC

What a beautiful city, spring is here, the redbuds are blooming, as well as the dogwoods , azaleas and a smattering of magnolias. Just what these northerners need. We arrived in the city around noon but our hotel wasn't ready yet so we got a parking pass for the hotels lot, and got instructions from the desk on how to get into the city. There was a free bus stop just outside the door, but there were tons of people ready to take it, and we had run out of patience if you can believe that, so armed with our trusty map, we headed out. Our first stop to the Charlestown Visitors center.



Now armed with a book for a walking tour of the historic part of town we again start out, but first lunch. After refueling, we walked the length and bredth of the historic part of town, taking pictures of the buildings, graveyards and gardens. You can't say we aren't getting our exercise in on this trip, we are walking or biking everywhere. Enjoy Steve's photos of Charlestown



Market Ironwork



Almost like being in France



Battery trees


Next stop, Asheville NC



-Asheville Alley

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Savannah Moon

We have had enough of winter and after booking with Lindsay, our trustworthy farm sitter, we boarded a plane and flew south in search for spring. I am happy to report, that we have found it. Sunday, we flew from Manchester down to Savannah GA, and after a very long delay at the Charlotte airport we drove into the city of Savannah. We had a room waiting for us at the River Street Inn, alas, not overlooking the river, but still very nice. We dumped our bags and walked to the Moon River brew pub for a well deserved beer and food, then with our "traveler", a plastic beer cup, we walked along the historic River Street getting our bearings for the next day.



On the River

Monday after breakfast we hit the footpaths, wandering the city, through all the squares, through the Cathedral, looking at all the architecture and gardens, up past SCAD, to Forsyth Park, then back down. We didn't do the two hour Paula Dean tour, you wouldn't believe the people lined up to do so though. We walked, had coffee, and walked some more. Then we crashed.




Wormsloe Allee

Tuesday we headed out to Wormsloe, the oldest property in Savannah, now part of the Georgia park system. They have a very famous allee of old Live Oaks that are covered in Spanish moss, and a very handsome gate, leading into the property. After touring that we then drove to Boneventure Cemetery where a lot of the memorials were used in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. It was amazing how many people were there looking for the particular statues that were in the movie. Kinda weird, but that's what we were doing so what can I really say. Then back into town to really tour all the shops on River Street, which hare all very shlocky. Don't need to do that again.



Bonaventure Statuary

Wednesday we left Savannah and drove to Hilton Head to visit with Mrs Colpitts, a family friend, then we toured the rest of the island. We don't need to go there again. Then back down to Savannah and out the other side to Tybee Island, where stayed at the lovely Lighthouse Inn B&B on the north end of the island. We walked down to the lighthouse and just relaxed. No Internet so we just read and walked and took pictures.



Tybee Light

Thursday we hired bicycles and pedaled all over the island. We decided that it was the best way to see the island, it would have been too much to walk, and to much of a pain to drive, and we wouldn't have been able to see anything, but biking was just right. We found a great cafe that the locals hung out out that was big on charm and character and huge on food. Our favorite place to eat in all of GA!


Tybee North Beach

This morning, we said farewell to Tybee, drove back through Savannah and onwards to Charlestown, a very easy drive. So here we are in Charleston for the night. Stay tuned for further updates.



Charleston Street Scene




Charleston Tree




Hidden Garden

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Greetings from Savannah!

After a very long day with much waiting in Charlotte (4+ hours) we finally arrived in beautiful Savannah. There is much to see but we are so exhausted from too little sleep so we are saving the sights until tomorrow.

Here is a few shot from today, courtesy of my phone. Enjoy!











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This is a test

Okay folks, we are getting ready for our next foray. We'll be heading south for a little R&R and we're trying out a lighter method of technology. Schlepping two laptops and a whole boatload of camera gear is so 2011 and we're going with iPads and one camera and a folding keyboard.

Savannah, Tybee Island, Charleston and Asheville are all waiting for us. Hopefully the weather will cooperate. :)

Cheers!