Happy holidays from the South Carolina Snyders! It is fun to create the holiday message online, although I do miss the process of sending the traditional Christmas card. As long as we are traveling the blog site will stay in place. The holiday season has a way of sneaking up on us as we experience the last-minute scramble to make sure everything is falling into place.
For those of you who follow our blog, you already know that we still spend time on the road. Plenty of local and regional adventures in the spring and early summer. The big trip was several weeks in the Canadian Maritimes with the ultimate destination of Newfoundland. This was our third trip to that part of the world in the last 20 years. There is always another point of interest there that calls us back. The down side of the trip was Larry’s aging shoulder cut the trip short. As a result, we missed seeing the family in New York City and Pennsylvania.
The last three months has been devoted to the shoulder and physical therapy. The good news on that front is I get to keep all my original body parts, at least for now. The plan is to hit the road again in the spring enjoying stops in the mountains of Georgia, South and North Carolina. Next summer will be spent visiting several national parks mostly in the South and West. More on that as the plan comes into focus.
It was cool that Brother Duane and Bobbi were able to stop on their trip to the South. Cousin David and Ileana were able to be here at the same time so we were able to catch up and relive the past. Jan’s nephew Steve and Ellen made a stop on their return from their son’s wedding. Again, this year we are looking forward to having our family here between Christmas and New Year’s.
You can always follow us on our blog site. Enjoy the post for our spring and summer trips
Life is falling into place for us here in the South. Making the move was a lot of work. As we assess things, today the decision to move has withstood the test of time. At first, we second guessed our decision to live in the country. Over time we can now say we have grown to love the house and the location. The Upstate area has a lot going for it with the climate, mountains, rivers, lakes, hiking trails and southern hospitality.
Home sweet home. Great home base to support our nomad tendencies.
The Upstate area works for us with four distinct seasons each lasting three months.
Winter came quickly. Several inches of snow this time which mostly disappeared by morning. It was all gone by noon!
One of our favorite get away is the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. It is truly impressive, one of a kind and have made it our mission to learn more about it. Here are more pictures capturing our time there exploring…
A favorite haunt is Biltmore. We made several visits this fall. The best was the last one when the house is all decked out for the Holidays…
The Biltmore grounds are impressive. In the beginning it was a blank slate with 8,000 acres of open land… The landscape design was truly visionary.
The Biltmore estate hosted a Chihuly blown glass exhibit. It is impressive art, colorful and photogenic. There were lots of shots to chose from…
Could not resist this shot. I waited a long time but there was always someone in the way enjoying the garden…
Summer seemed to last forever this year. As a result fall colors were late. This shot was taken the first part of November.
Jan stopping to take in the Japanese Maple fall colors…we want one just like this in our yard!
Do you like Mums? The design and colors really make a lasting impression, at least they did for us. This was a beautiful mid-November day.
In December we came back to see all the holiday decorations. The lions here are getting to be good friends…
Jan shot this one with Larry with the lion on the right…
The main hall is certainly impressive. It is different every year which calls us back to check things out…
Off the main hall is the dining room. Loved this setting with the tree next to the room’s fireplaces, setting the mental image for Holiday’s of the past…
The dining room from the other side.
Our favorite room is the library. One could live in here full time.
Hard to capture this room with just one shot. The tree is two stories and must take some time to decorate!
The tapestry room goes on forever with three very large fireplaces.
Jan posing in the conservatory.
Larry in the Conservatory kicking back after a long day…
The Whitewater falls is a great stop for us. We love spending time there as well as the winding/challenging drive through the mountains to get there.
The Whitewater Falls is a favorite stop…plus some great hiking trails in the mountains of South Carolina.
Whitewater falls…400 feet at least…
Chau Ram park is close to us near the town of Westminster. Great hiking along the river with several waterfalls. Always a rewarding experience.
Chau Ram falls a fun Oconee County stop.
Chau Ram Falls Park bridge over the Ramsey Creek dumping into the Chauga River.
Out for a drive, we like to end up at the Chattooga Belle Farm in the Upstate South Carolina Mountains for lunch…
What is fall without a stop at Chattooga Belle Farm for lunch and a basket of apples.
Chattooga Belle view with Georgia in the background.
Chattooga Belle Farm…
A new discovery is the Tallulah Gorge State Park. A popular Georgia State Park. The views are awesome and the hiking taxing. However, my photos were not that great so you will need to take my word for it… We will go back so stay tuned.
Like to do stairs? Then you would like Tallulah Gorge State Park. There are over 900 steps to challenge one’s fitness.
North Carolina Dupont State Park was a good find for us. Fairly close to home with lots of trails and three impressive waterfalls. As the name sake suggests, the tract was donated to the State by the Dupont family.
Dupont Forest State Park in North Carolina has a covered bridge, great hiking and waterfalls. Already planning a return visit…
High Falls one of three falls at Dupont Forest State Park…
Triple Falls – Dupont State Park – Great Water Action
Hooker Falls – Third on the trail
Highlands in North Carolina has some unique shops. Although it is a tourist stop it is worth a visit. The experience for us was memorable and we plan to go back soon. It is in the mountains and fairly high so we are not sure winter is the best time to go back.
Highland, North Carolina – Dry Falls on the Cullasaja River another impressive stop!
Dry Falls, a shot through the trees… Fall colors like this are hard to find in the south.
Bridal Falls just out side of Highlands. You can walk or at times drive behind the falls!
We found these guys downtown Highland at Halloween!
From others, we heard a lot about Helen, Georgia and its German heritage. They host an Octoberfest which is legendary and goes on for several weeks. Since we did not make the festival, we caught up with them later to see their Christmas decorations. The best part of the visit was the waterfall Anna Ruby.
Do you like the German theme? If so you will enjoy Helen, Georgia. A fun Place to visit especially during the holidays.
Lots of color in downtown Helen…
Does this look like Germany?
Resident of Helen, Georgia
The Anna Ruby Falls near Helen is the reward of a short hike…
The drop for Anna Ruby is over 150 Ft.
Enjoyed the hike along the Chattacoochee River…nice fall day!
Fall Hike…dressed for the below average temps…
Peaceful setting plus some fine scenery
At Easter we were RVing near Atlanta and stopped at the little town of Dahlonega to attend church. It is a vibrant place so we returned in December to check out the Christmas decorations which gets a lot of press. Several really nice antique stores and of course found a few more treasures to add to the collection.
This was our second visit to Dahlonega, Georgia…a town with a gold rush background plus an eclectic experience today!
Dahlonega goes all out for Christmas…
Dahlonega home to a federal mint before the Civil War! Plenty of history to take in…
The roads in the South and North Carolina mountains are an adventure and fun to drive. Well, that is if there is no snow and ice. Recently experienced such a drive with a stop at Caesars Head for a hike and some photo opts along with checking out Devils Kitchen.
Caesars Head State Park – Great drive up the mountain…
Top of the mountain…long view!
Devils Kitchen is an interesting spot along one of the Caesars Head trails.
Another town that calls us back is Brevard. It is a tourist town with some really fun shops and restaurants. It would be fun place to live if the winters were a little nicer but if definitely makes the short list anyway!
A very favorite shopping stop is Brevard, North Carolina, the home of the white squirrels. Here is a town’s mascot.
The white Squirrels hang out on the campus of the Brevard College. Here is one up close and just a little personal!
Jan and I send our very best to each of you at this special time of the year. Enjoy the season and the reason.
Holiday greetings…from Jan and Larry!
Always good to kick back on the deck and enjoy the sunsets!
If you come this way, do stop and see us. We would love to catch up and as you can see, we would enjoy sharing the adventures offered in this part of the world
Happy Holidays,
God Bless.
Larry and Jan