Love this time of the year. It gives us a chance to stop time to reach out to friends and family near and wide to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. Growing up in central Michigan life was community centric. Everyone who was important in our lives was within easier reach. Memories are still strong of those large family gatherings and local holiday events. Times have certainly changed over the last 70 years changing the way we think and view life.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
We are in good health (although a little older and hopefully wiser) with more than enough to do. Our to do list is pretty much self-inflicted doing the things we like. This year, it was good to be out from under as many Covid restrictions. We got to hitch up the RV to hit the road after a summer off. Still being on the cautious side, we spent our time exploring close to home. Our revised travel plans took us beyond South Carolina to North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The plan was to spend a week on the road then be home for a week providing a nice balance to our lives.
Today, life is good for us. We are not missing the Michigan snow and cold weather. Most winter days here in the Upstate area the sun shines and the temps average around 50 during the day. Getting snow for a couple days in January or February works for us. No snow shovels required. Spring and fall are the best times here. Summers are easy although they can be on the hot side during the day. The mountain are minutes away an easy escape to cooler temperatures. This summer got our hands dirty with a bit of gardening. Keeping track of the three new horses provides us with plenty of entertainment. Plus, there is always one more photo to take…
Looking for snow pictures had to go back to last February
Love our little garden. Our travel schedule was built around keeping track of everything green plus fending off our four-legged friends! This fall we had a repeat performance providing even more goodies.
These three friends next door keep our interest. Our deck is a great spot for viewing all that goes in in the pasture.
These guys are always on the run. It seems they are playing or maybe a bit on the competitive side.
You can learn a lot living next door to horses. Never knew they slept standing up. They stand perfectly still for long periods of time. The newest addition (on the right) is a Haflinger, a laidback workhorse..
Close up of a garden visitor. These Swallowtails are attracted by our Zinnas and ultimately parsley as their lifecycle plays out in the chrysalis stage.
This rainbow came late in the summer and in the north.
It was good to get the RV prepped and road worthy. There are so many wonderful sites in this part of the South. The summer schedule was built around our stays at State or National Parks. Being on the road making new friends is an important part of our life. There were so many pictures taken over the summer. It was hard to chose which ones to share with all of you.
Packed, ready to hit the road. The plan to explore the surrounding States takes the right gear. Kayaks, bikes along with good hiking shoes are key to successful exploration.
What could be better than a bit of history with some character.
A stop at the zoo is always worthwhile. Enjoying a beautiful summer day in Columbia.
These feisty feathered friends were both loud and colorful.
Stopped here 50 years ago, also with a RV in tow.
The Foxfire campus is an Appalachian treasure. This heritage center is dedicated to preserving and documenting the unique lifestyle. Plan a stop if you like history and learning about the arts and crafts from the past. The old church is a very photogenic.
The Etowah Indian Mounds caught our interest. Great job on curating. Using your imagination, you can visualize life here a thousand years ago.
Liked this photo, a lot going on! Chattanooga and the Tennessee River never disappoints. It is easy to spend a day on the extensive river walk.
Caught this young lady deep in thought…Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
Beautiful spring day in the Smoky Mountain National Park! Sunshine and warm weather, what could be nicer…
Peaceful scene in the mountains of Georgia. Quiet time stop on an early morning hike.
Blue Ridge Highway has amazing vistas.
What do you think of this shot taken somewhere in North Carolina? The dead tree caught my interest.
Found the stone fence supports eye catching. My take is they have survived the test of time. This trail took us to even greater views.
This is the “great” view. The Georgia Cloudland State Park exceeded our expectations. Plan a return trip next year.
Idyllic setting…
This trail goes under the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is actually the beginning of a five mile to the top of the mountain
These two are enjoying life by taking time to take in the commanding view.
This scene could be picture for a jigsaw puzzle.
Another mountain view that demanded a stop and look. The clouds being the attention getter.
Never get tired of these sunset pictures.
It seems like waterfalls are a magnet for us…so many falls, so little time. More photos to follow:
Love this river in the Smoky Mountain National Park… Perfect place to set up a tent.
Rainbow Falls at the Jones Gap State Park is a new favorite. Bit of climb to get here but well worth it.
Spring brings more impressive waterfalls.
Nice place to stop to enjoy the scenery.
The big drop adds to the drama here…
Had to work to get this shot…
Mark and Kevin met us in North Carolina for a few days. Good to catch up with them after Covid.
Mark and Kevin catch us on the road… Managed a couple of hikes to enjoy our time together.
Stopping to take pictures along the trail come easily.
Our last four trips were cancelled with a time out for some back physical therapy. This gave us time to stay close to home catching some fall color.
To start fall, out travels took us to Missouri. The color is just starting to pop.
Here is a fall shot along the Ocoee River which is part of the TVA project.
Strong fall color found along a trail somewhere this fall…
The Maple Trees along our driveway doing their fall thing! Love Fall in the South Carolina foothills.
Our plan for the holidays is to hang out around home. Hopefully there will be a visitor or two from the North.
Dressed for the holidays…first time for a suit in two years.
The decorations are hung…
Each of our trips are each documented in the following eight post. Feel free to check them out to follow our adventures. Use the travel link on the right.
Happy Holiday,
God Bless,
Larry and Jan