7-23-17 boat ride on Lake Lure:

Our girls' weekend is about to come to an end.  But not before we do one more touristy thing.  Since we stayed at Lake Lure, it seemed only fitting that we got out on the lake.  So we packed up and checked out of our Wyndham unit. 

 and headed into the little town of Lake Lure.  Got to the tour boat office right about 10am, bought our tickets for an 11am cruise, then headed into town for a quick breakfast.  Thought we'd go to Medina's again, but there was a 30 minute wait for a seat.  So we went back across the street to the coffee shop and got a quick breakfast there.  As we were leaving, I noticed this guy.  That's the pup we need!

7-22-17 A day at the Biltmore Estate:

After months of talking about a girls trip to The Biltmore, the time finally came!  Our reservations had us touring the mansion at 11:30.  With Asheville being about 1 1/2 hours from where we were staying in Lake Lure, we left about 8:30 and headed West.
Back through the little town of Lake Lure.

 First stop---a coffee shop in Lake Lure.

7-21-17  Girls weekend to Lake Lure, SC:

What do you do with a $500 Gift certificate for The Biltmore?  Plan a girls weekend!!!   At first we thought we'd stay at the Biltmore, but after checking hotel prices on property, we decided to stay at a Wyndham resort and go to the Biltmore for the day.   Closest Wyndham to both Faith and us is the Wyndham at Fairfield Mountains in Lake Lure, North Carolina, so that's where we stayed.  It was about a 3 1/2 hour drive for Angie and me, and about 2 1/2 hours for Faith.  But it was a nice ride through some really pretty country.
Angie and I buzzed up I-85 to I-26.  This had us a little concerned until we finally noticed there was a ramp to I-26. 

What much of the ride looked like.

Close to Lake Lure we came across this subdivision.  I got a kick out of the doughnut shaped bushes.

Finally near the Wyndham.  This is part of the golf course there.

I had hoped to get a VIP upgrade to a 2 bedroom unit, but with the new Wyndham "Voyager" system, upgrades and availability in general are not very generous.  We were able to book a 1 bedroom suite and never got anything bigger.   Some of the 2 bedroom units were made up of a 1 bedroom suite and the adjoining 1 bedroom deluxe.  The 1 bedroom deluxe next to our suite seemed to be available, so I wonder why it was never available to book?! 

7-15-17 a trip to Athens:

A day in Greece!  OK, maybe not, but Athens, Georgia, isn't so bad.  Angie and Josh had talked about heading up to a waterfall, but it was so hot, they decided to go check out Athens instead.  So they invited us along---for our first ride in their new vehicle---their brand new 2017 Ford Explorer.

  The trip started out a bit horrifying!  Shortly after we got on I-85 northbound, we witness an SUV veer left, then over correct to the right, sending it into a spin in the grass along the Interstate, then what seemed like slow motion, it rolled 1 1/2 times landing upside down in a water filled ditch.  We were only about 3 cars behind it, so we pulled over right away.  By the time we got out, there was a young woman and young man smashing the heck out of the windows of the overturned SUV and calling out to the passengers.  By now another couple cars had stopped and we were all on our phones trying to get 911.  After it rang about 30 times, I hung up.  Never having called 911 before, I didn't know the phone would stay in emergency mode.  A few minutes later a dispatcher called me back---about the same time everyone else was called back.  In the mean time, we chatted a bit with the young woman who busted out some of the windows.  I mentioned to her that it looked like she'd done that before.  She said more then she'd like to admit.  Turned out she and the young man were off duty policemen on their way to a pool party!  It was amazing watching them take control of the situation!  They were on the vehicle in less then a minute working on getting the occupants out.     Miraculously all 5 passengers were able to crawl out of the overturned car and even walk around.  At highway speeds, I would have thought there would be more serious injuries then a few bumps and bruises.  After all was under control, even the police woman was shaking.   Not sure what any of us would have done if they weren't there.  I've only been around an accident similar to this once before.  That time the lone passenger was thrown from the car and laying face down in a puddle of cold water.  My Dad and I covered her and called for help.  Fortunately a First Responder happened upon the accident right after we did and took care of the lady.  It's stuff like this you never hear about on the news!  All the media wants to report is how evil police are.

 After hanging around the accident scene for about 20 minutes, the fire department arrived.  Figured the police were soon to follow.  Figured we should get on our way and out of the way.
First thing we did when we got to Athens was get brunch.  We went to a place that is a customer of the company Josh works for.  Angie and I shared an egg biscuit (with Tillimook cheese), oven potatoes, and double chocolate pancakes.  It was excellent!  I wouldn't hesitate to go here again!

 Oh yeah---the name of the place---Heirloom.  Certainly not fancy or very big, but great things sometimes come in small packages.

7-14-17  Planet Fitness and more celebrating Josh's birthday:

We've been seeing ads for membership to Planet Fitness for $10/month, no contract or deposit.  So we decided to go check it out.  Turns out Ken is able to get in free with his Silver Sneakers card from his insurance plan.  Looks like a pretty nice place.  With it getting so hot here, I thought walking in the a/c would be a breeze.  Well, I still sweat up a storm!  But it's nice having tvs to watch.  I also like the 30 minute workout room.  Now to actually go and see if it does any good.   Since I gained weight walking about 10,000 steps a day and eating salads for dinner, I'll probably gain twice as much weight working out!
the busy 30 minute workout room.

 the busy treadmill area from the 30 minute workout room.
Yeah, a health club that gives you pizza and bagels!

When we were at Tim and Faith's, they asked us to bring Josh's birthday present to him, so we did.  After our first workout, we went to Angie and Josh's to give Josh his present and eat Angie's delicious homemade pizza. 

Then we finishing up a game of Mexican Dominoes.   For a change---I was the winner!!!

7-12-17  back to Georgia:

But first---breakfast at Nick and J's.  Wish there was one of these in Buford!

 It was another hot hazy day. 

7-11-17  last day of Knoxville vacation:

We decided to stay another day.  Faith had taken off work, so we stuck around to annoy her.  After breakfast at First Watch, she and I ran to Walmart.  She had suggested we go to The Beach (one of the pools at the fitness club she's a member of).  I don't often pass up going to a pool,  or ocean,  or lake, ... .  So we had to go shopping so I could get a swim suit first.  I've gotten some from Walmart before, so figured that was a good place to check.  Eureka, it was even on clearance for $11!  Pretty sad that they clearance summer clothes out in early July!  But I was happy to get a swimsuit for $11. 
It was a hot day today---over 90.  The pool was great!  I was surprised how big it is.  I was also surprised at how few people were there---until we'd been there about 30 minutes, then a bunch of families and kids groups showed up.  But it was still a great couple hours.  This was about half of the pool.  No "beach", but the zero entrance area had a squishy rubber bottom to it. 

Had to leave after a couple hours.  Faith had a Dr. appointment.  Then we just hung out until Tim got home from work.  Dinner was at some unimpressive brewery in Turkey Creek.  We didn't know that it was trivia night and would be very loud.  My salad was good, though, but we were ready to leave as soon as we were done eating.
Spent a few more hours visiting at the house, then said our good-byes figuring we wouldn't see them before they headed off to work.  It was a fun 5 days.

7-10-17  back to the Smokey's to get the kids.

We were pleasantly surprised last night when we got a text from Faith saying they had made it to the cabins.  We didn't think they'd have service there.  They didn't either.  They also said they weren't thinking they'd make it back down by the 1pm time we had agreed upon.  So Ken and I took our time getting back to the pick up spot---a different trail head from where they started from.  This trail was shorter, but steeper and the trail the llamas use to haul stuff up and down to the cabins.  Anyway---Ken and I went to Nick and J's for breakfast, then continued on to the Smokey's.
 I suggested we head to Sinks and check it out again.  So we did.

 Lots of people playing in the water there, but we didn't see any kayakers.

7-9-17  a walk in the woods:

Today was the day the kids have been waiting for for quite some time.  Today they were hiking up Mt. Le Conte and sleeping in a cabin.  So after they cooked us breakfast, we all headed off to the mountains.   Wasn't sure what kind of weather they were going to have----

 Lots of low hanging clouds.

7-8-17 a day with the kids:

We got to spend the whole day with both of them today.  So we started it off by heading to another new breakfast place for Ken and me.  It's actually in the same family as another one we like to go to near them---Nick and J's.  This one is Sami's and is just as crowded as Nick and J's.  There was a line waiting for seats, but the hostess said we could sit outside if we wanted to, so we did.  It was an interesting outside area---up a little hill and with stores on 3 sides of it.  But the weather wasn't too hot, so we decided to try it.  Breakfast was very good, but then, how can you ruin breakfast?

After breakfast the kids wanted to get a couple last minute things for their hike tomorrow.  So we went to REI and to another store whose name I forget.   It is interesting looking at all the outdoor stuff.   Like this stand up paddle board with stepper on it.  Apparently they've been around awhile, but it's the first one I've seen!

7-7-17  off to Knoxville---

And we're off, again.  This time to Knoxville to visit Tim and Faith, and watch the animals while they go on an overnight hike into the mountains (Le Conte Mt).  There are cabins on top of the mountain that you can only get to by hiking to them.  They're so popular that there's a lottery to get to stay at them---even with the $300, or so, reservation fee (which also includes dinner and breakfast).  Wish I was young and healthy enough to do that, but I imagine the 3300+ elevation climb would probably kill me!  But we still had a good time visiting with the kids before and after their trip and Ken and I enjoyed running around the Smokey's by ourselves when we weren't hanging out with the grandanimals.
Their hike wasn't until Sunday the 9th, but we headed up on Friday so we could spend some time with them.  The 4 hours ride is actually rather enjoyable.
Although at first it did look like we could be hitting some rain along the way!  Luckily we didn't.

 I took pictures along our way.  Love the Christmas tree at this barn!

7-4-17  fireworks at the Mall of Georgia:

After my long walk, we hit the pool for a couple hours.  Sure feels good!  It was even quite crowded today, but everyone was well behaved for the most part.    Even have met a few friendly talkative people here at the pool lately.  After visiting quite awhile with a nice young man who just opened his own work out company, we headed back to our apt. and got ready to go have dinner and play dominoes with Angie and Josh.  Dinner was great!---steak, chicken kabobs, sausages, sliders, baked potatoe chunks, baked beans, and squash---then some watermelon later.  Dominoes is always fun, too, even though Josh won again!  When people started shooting off fireworks and getting the dogs all worked up, we decided it was time for us to leave.  Since it was almost time for city firework shows, I suggested we try to catch them over Mall of Georgia.
Not the best views from behind the stores on our side of SR20, but it was still a nice night to be there.  Plus we were able to sit in the car and watch them and didn't have to fight any traffic when it was over.
I didn't have my DSLR with me so had to take pictures with my phone.

7-4-17  walking West on the Ivy Creek Greenway by our apartment:

Decided to change it up today and went West on the Greenway.
This is the winding bridge right at the exit from our apartment complex. 

 an interesting fly on the rail of the bridge.  Surprised he let me get this close.

7-2-17  long walk on Ivy Creek Greenway:

Doing pretty good with the walking lately.  My knee is even pain free for a lot of it.  Today I took probably my longest walk yet in the preserve behind us---about 6 miles.  Got my 10,000 steps in before 9:30 a.m.!  Also saw a lot of neat things.
like some really interesting wild flowers.

 passion flowers!---in the wild!!!  along with wild blackberries!

6-30-17  moving on---again!

We had debated on staying another week, then going straight to Knoxville to pet sit while the "kids" went on their overnight Appalachian hiking trip, but we ended up heading back to Georgia instead.  Guess Ken got tired of watching tv with a digital antenna and not having very good internet.  Or was he afraid he'd have to do more yard work?!  While I trimmed the lilac bush, he was busy edging and transplanted an azalea bush to my fountain garden, as well as trimming up a couple trees in the front yard.  So the 10 hour drive was a nice restful event.  I, of course, took pictures along the way.  We even stopped in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and met David and Jane there for breakfast.  Adds another 1-2 hours to the trip, but worth it to visit with them some more.
Back to taking pictures of the midwest farms.