Biltmore House Azalea Garden

These photos are from our time at the Biltmore Gardens on Saturday May 3rd.

I want to finish up my posts from Katie and my cross country trip before June. I still have a few posts from the Biltmore House and Gardens. A few of these posts are visual with no need of commentary. Remember if you visit the Biltmore to wear comfortable shoes and clothing. There are lots of trails to explore.

It’s amazing to think of all the miles we logged and all the beautiful sights we were afforded on our cross country trip.

Today I’m home again home again jiggity jig. Dear and I got home at about 11:00 P.M. on Tuesday night. Dear was off to work on Wednesday at 5:00 AM and I had my annual doctor’s visit just after 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday. On Thursday I will be mowing our overgrown lawn (mostly weeds). I’m pleased with the Spring growth that has bloomed while I was gone. I’ll have to take some photos of some things that surprised and blessed me on my return. I’ll share my sweet memorial azaleas for my dear mom that bloomed so pink and pretty.

How are things in your corner of the world?

Why Florida?

So why am I in Florida instead of being home by now? Dear is working his company’s booth at the AUA conference which means I would have been home alone if I traveled there so we made the plans for me to meet up with him in Orlando, a sort of side trip to Seattle from Jacksonville, North Carolina. I didn’t want to be away from Dear for a full 25 days! The hotel room and his food are all paid for by his company. All we pay for is my food and expenses so I get to see another part of the U.S.A. for a bargain.

AUA American Urological Association

This is the hotel that Dear’s company booked for their conference attendees.

You could rent a cabana for $125 a day. I opted for a massage instead.

These are the views from our room. I zoomed in to get the city scape. I was hoping to see an alligator in that marshy area but I never did.

Walking along International Blvd. proved true to it’s name. We heard so many languages as we walked along. I personally spoke to a Russian couple from Moscow who thought my Russian accent was very genuine. I also talked to a gal from Romania and a few gals from Britain and another young lady from Los Angeles, which is an international city all it’s own…

We didn’t stray much from the hotel to eat because of Dear’s busy schedule but we enjoyed a meal at the Pub and their kilted staff. Is kilted a word? You know what I mean the staff wore kilts…the guys and the gals.

We didn’t drink these all in one sitting. They were an interesting photo op.

On Monday I scheduled myself a massage at the Hotel Spa. I went early enough for my appointment to enjoy their steam room, whirlpools and lounging areas. I was the only person enjoying this private spa area at the hotel on this morning. This was my only lounging outside experience in Florida. Sunny, hot, humid climes are not on my “go to” list. I am crossing Florida off my U.S. States to visit list.

This is a photo of the sunrise on the East Coast. I am very happy to say that by the time the sun sets on the West Coast on Tuesday I should be home.

Psalm 113:3 (ESV)

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the Lord is to be praised!

Biltmore Shrub Garden

We managed to see a lot in one day at the Biltmore but we were pretty tired by the end of our time. If you are going to trek through the gardens and property I would suggest wearing good walking shoes and if it’s a warm day carry some water with you. I mentioned before that I love Wisteria so I was pleased to be able to see it in bloom. I’ll still be sharing the Azalea Garden, The Bass Pond, and Antler Hill Village.

Now back to the future. Yesterday was my most exhausting air travel experience ever! My flight from Jacksonville was supposed to leave at 3:54 then I got an email saying it was changed to 4:54 then when I was at the airport the time was changed to 6:04 and then the time was changed to 6:41. My connecting flight in Atlanta was at 6:10 so I knew I was in trouble. After lots of juggling and kind talking to the agents I got on standby on a 6:04 flight to Atlanta. When I arrived in Atlanta I ran quite a distance to get to a gate with a flight to Orlando leaving at 7:55 (missed that one) but the agent kindly secured me a seat on the 8:55 flight to Orlando. I arrived 45 minutes after Dear and he was in baggage claim waiting for me. What a great sight it was to see his face after 19 days apart. I was really pleased to find my suitcase, too.

Our taxi ride was harrowing. I don’t know if the driver was falling asleep but he had trouble staying in a lane. He straddled the lanes and braked and accelerated for no reason. I think the best way to describe the ride being so close to Walt Disney World is to stay it was “Mr Toad’s Wild Ride”. I thanked the Lord when we pulled up in front of the hotel alive. I’m going to lay low today and recuperate from my day yesterday.

Is this a long weekend in Canada?

Biltmore Walled Garden and Conservatory

We were at the Biltmore on Saturday May 3rd so the flowers that were blooming well at this point were the Azaleas and the Wisteria still hadn’t lost it’s glow. This walled garden will probably be spectacular when all the roses bloom.

Today is my last day in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Katie will be driving me to the little airport for my flight to Orlando, Florida this afternoon. I won’t be escaping the heat in Florida as the forecast is calling for temps in the upper 80’s the 5 days that I’m there. I’m happy to report I was able to jam everything into my one medium suitcase for this leg of my trip. I’m leaving a small suitcase here for Katie and Andrew to use on their return trip to Seattle. I wasn’t sure I could shlep around 2 suitcases, a computer bag and camera bag around the in Orlando while I wait for Dear to arrive on a later flight than mine so I’m pleased that I can leave a suitcase here.

Can you believe it’s the fifteenth of May already?

Biltmore ~ America’s Largest Home

Part of Katie and my hotel package in Asheville, North Carolina included a two day pass to Biltmore House and Gardens. Biltmore began in 1895 as George Vanderbilt’s vision and continues today under the stewardship of his descendants.

The family still owns 8000 acres of Blue Ridge Mountain land and this is just a fraction of what they started with. They sold thousands of acres to the Federal government which is now the Pisgah National Forest.

A view from the Loggia. No photography was allowed in the house but they had an area for a photo op that the house provided.

You could pay for a larger copy for $30.00, pricey. We opted for the free little version!

This is just a taste of the Biltmore. You can imagine with 8000 acres that there is more to share. The gardens were bursting with color from thousands of Azalea bushes. We ended our day at the Biltmore House with a meal at Antler Hill Village and a tour of the winery. Stay tuned!

My time is winding down here in Jacksonville. Tomorrow I’ll board a plane for Orlando and meet up with my Dear. Looking forward to it. I leave knowing our daughter will soon be reunited with her beloved and that makes me happy and oh so thankful.

One thing I know is that the Pacific Northwest is a very good location for me. I am quite intolerant of heat and humidity in my older years. My hair is very intolerant of the humidity, too. The “South” is fun to visit but I’m not looking to buy property here.

Road Trip Re-Cap

It’s time for ABC Wednesday and we are on the letter R.

Thank you to the ABC team!

I’ll share a few snapshots of my daughter and my road trip across the U.S.A. The reason for our road trip was to return her and her car to Jacksonville, North Carolina to be ready for her husband’s return from Afghanistan. The reunion will be rewarding for them. We left Seattle on April 27th and arrived at our final destination on May 4th.

In the meantime it’s interesting living in a Marine populated city with license plates from all over the U.S.A. I will leave Jacksonville on Thursday and re-unite with my Dear in Orlando, Florida for a conference he is attending and then finally be back home later in May.

Day one on the road. We stopped in Spokane Valley for lunch with my son and his girl friend and then carried on.

Day one we drove across Washington and Idaho and into Montana!

Day two started with snow in Bozeman, Montana. Retreating was not an option so we returned to the road hoping for good traction and no sliding on the road.

Day two ended in Rapid City, South Dakota. We drove across Montana, down into Wyoming and across to South Dakota. Three states a day became our road trip theme. The other theme we did not want to repeat was snow but when we woke up in Rapid City to start our third day on the road snow was whipping side ways in some extreme wind conditions. Again retreat was not an option.

We learned to rely on Rest areas in many states across the U.S.A. They appeared just when we needed them most and they were all clean and well maintained. This is how the snow was sticking because of the severe winds in and around Rapid City.

Many times along the roads that were unknown to us our minds recalled the reassuring verses in the New Testament from Matthew that read…

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

I also would sing in my head…His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.

Day three ended in Nebraska which means we traveled across South Dakota, into Iowa, and finished in Nebraska.

Day four we left Nebraska, entered Iowa again, and headed to Kansas City Missouri to meet up with a bloggy friend for RIBS!

After a great lunch and meeting Pam face to face along with her daughter we continued on to our stop for the night which would be just outside St. Louis, Missouri in the state of Illinois. Day four ended up being a four state day!

On Day five our goal was to reach Hendersonville, Tennessee. We traveled along some rock lined highways and other areas full of green trees from Illinois into Kentucky and then down to Tennessee.

On day Six we would only travel in two states Tennessee and North Carolina. Our goal was to take a scenic road to Asheville, North Carolina nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains for a two day retreat and rest before we traveled the final five hours to Jacksonville, North Carolina (Camp Lejeune Marine Base).

Our scenic route took us through some towns that surprised us with their weird attractions not so much rural charm.

Finally after passing a few attractions like these in Pigeon Forge we entered some refreshing views like these.

We were rewarded after our sixth day of travel with dinner at the Omni Grove in Asheville, North Carolina with beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

If you’d like to see more photos from this grand Inn click here.

Our seventh day was spent at the Biltmore Estate and Gardens. The azaleas at the Biltmore were in their glory. I will be posting more about our day at the Biltmore in the future.

On day eight of our travels we reached our final destination in Jacksonville, North Carolina, home of MCCS Camp Lejeune. We checked into our hotel and started the planning lists for securing an apartment asap and setting up a temporary home for Katie and Andrew upon Andrew’s return and homecoming from Afghanistan. I’m happy to report that I’m preparing this post from that apartment with wifi and all the bare essentials are in place for Katie and Andrew to live comfortably for the next few months. I might have even lost a pound or two carrying boxes up the three flights of stairs to their third floor apartment. (no elevators)

Road trip mission accomplished. Semper Fi!

Relief and Rejoicing upon Andrew’s Return soon to commence!

Sunset Terrace at the Grove

We were so happy we listened to several recommendations we got to make sure we made it to the historic Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina. Mary from A Breath of Fresh Air first suggested that Katie and I shouldn’t miss this historic Inn. Two co-workers of Dear’s also said it was a “not to be missed” destination.

We arrived to Asheville on the 6th day of our Road trip across the U.S.A. We had preplanned a two day stop in this beautiful mountain city.

We made reservations on the Sunset Terrace for the evening that we arrived to Asheville. Can you see Katie on the right looking down at me?

The Terrace has wonderful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

We had a nice visit with this local couple and I did mention they might end up in some of my photos.

Because of traveling all day and making our reservations later than we normally eat we ordered on the “light” side. No big steaks this night. Katie ordered Caesar salad, crab cake, and macaroni and cheese. I ordered a fresh beet salad and the onion soup.

For dessert we shared the Sticky Toffee Pudding.

After our dinner and before we left we walked around the lodge and it was fun to see that they were featuring wines from our neck of the woods!

We really enjoyed our time at the Historic Omni Grove in Asheland, North Carolina. As Mary told us even if you don’t have dinner on the terrace make sure you visit and enjoy a drink there. We thought sunset was the perfect time to be there, too. Thanks for the recommendation. This stop was one of the highlights of our SeaJack Road Trip!

Today in Jacksonville Katie has scheduled massages for us. We have come up with a few more necessary items to purchase for the apartment, too, so a little shopping is on the agenda.

What does Monday hold for you?

Looking Back ~ Bellefontaine Cemetery

There are so many interesting people buried at this beautiful cemetery. I’ll be sharing more notables in posts when I get back from all my traveling but for now I’ll just show some of the monuments without the history…

We are marveling that we missed so much “weather” on our travels and we are still thanking God for being safe and sound in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

We’ve had a nice Mother’s Day. We found out about an interesting law here in this part of the state. We don’t know if it’s the law all over the state but when we arrived for brunch at Duck’s Bar and Grille at 11:00 A.M. today we were considering having Mimosa’s with our Eggs Benedict. We were informed that the law stated no alcohol could be served before noon on Sundays. So there you have it. Today is the most humid day here since we arrived so we are enjoying just staying in with the air conditioning on. Katie started a meal in the crock pot this morning before we left for brunch and it is smelling real good right now. Tomorrow Katie scheduled massages for us and we are really looking forward to that.

We still do not have T.V. here at the apartment and I’ve been interested in some weather stories I’ve seen here and there. I hope you are safe where you are and that you are enjoying a lovely Mother’s Day at home or elsewhere.

Looking Back ~ Bellefontaine Cemetery & Arboretum

On the 5th day of our roadtrip Thursday May 1st we doubled back to St. Louis to visit the Bellefontaine Cemetery. Bellefontaine is the 14th great rural cemetery built in the U.S.A. Before rural cemeteries the dead were buried in family plots or churchyards. The first internment took place in 1850. Because of the Cholera outbreak in St. Louis in 1849 and a devastating fire that killed many, the city needed a large cemetery.

Like Calvary Cemetery there are a lot of people buried here that were influential in the history of the U.S. Before I share about the people I’m going to share the beautiful trees and flowers we enjoyed.

I’m a huge fan of dogwood and we were treated to many beautiful dogwood trees here. Katie and I left home just as my pink dogwood was starting to bloom.

I’ll be sharing much more from this great cemetery in the future.

Today in Jacksonville Katie and I shopped for all the staples for her kitchen, all the basics for cooking and baking. Katie is making dinner for us tonight. She has been registered on an e-meals sight for a while now and you choose the meals that sound good to you and a shopping list is generated. It has been a handy tool to get Katie more comfortable in the kitchen.

It’s so nice to be in a residence instead of a hotel. Having internet makes a big difference, too. No T.V. yet but we are surviving nicely. Katie and Andrew have some interesting neighbors. Apartment life is so unpredictable! At least you know you aren’t in one spot forever especially if you are in the military. Did you know that active military members that receive any new orders are free to break any lease without penalty? That’s a very good policy.

What’s going on in your neck of the woods?

The Here and Now!

Katie and I have been very busy in Jacksonville these last few days. We arrived here Sunday night and checked into our hotel and had dinner at O’Charley’s. On Monday we hit the ground running…

First order of business was to find an apartment for Katie and Andrew. The second complex we visited had a one bedroom apartment available to rent on the 3rd floor with immediate occupancy subject to credit and background checks. Katie filled out all the forms and by 4:00 on Monday she had the keys to the new apartment.

The one bedroom is 824 square feet and has nice high ceilings. It is 100 square feet larger than Dear and my condo that we had in California.

There are some nice closets and the washer/dryer and all kitchen appliances are included.

Of course upon close inspection we found some flaws but this is the nature of the beast with apartment living. One big thing is that the complex is pet friendly.

Even though the apartment was supposedly cleaned and carpets washed after the last tenant left we still found an amazing amount of cat hair from just a once over in the living room with the vacuum. Disgusting! I’m thinking the apartment cleaners need to upgrade their vacuums!

On the bright side, the views from the windows are of a lovely green space between this apartment complex and the next one over.

It was not easy for Katie and me to trudge up and down the 3 floors of stairs with the minimal belongings that they are setting up home with. We had to break down some of the boxes of kitchen items that Katie had packed so well and that were stored here in Jacksonville for the last eight and a half months because they were just too heavy for us to get up the stairs.

Tuesday was the big long move the boxes and possessions in day. We worked for many hours and shopped for some needed items in between. At 9:30 PM we finally made it back to the hotel pretty much in a delirious state of mind.

On Wednesday we checked out of our hotel and headed to the apartment for the mattress delivery. We vacuumed some more, washed floors and put away all the kitchen items. We also started loads of laundry. The mattress delivery was made and we made up the bed. Katie called the cable company to set up internet and minimum cable and the technician said he was working 2 days out but he’d put Katie on his ASAP list and if anything opened up he’d give us a call. Well…by 4:00 today the internet was hooked up. We headed out to Wal-Mart again and bought a wireless modem. Katie with some difficulty figured out how to hook everything up and we are now connected to the W.W.W.!

Sunrise to Sunset has been the theme the last few days. Tomorrow we are taking it slower and returning some items we bought and doing our grocery shopping. We need all the staples (flour, sugar, spices, salt) and extras.

Let’s talk about my hair and humidity. My hair takes on a life of it’s own here in the southeast! It gets some added curl and twists and turns when I’m working hard in the humidity. I think the humidity tires me out faster, too.

Some of Andrew’s company that are good friends of him and Katie will be arriving home sooner than Andrew in the Advon party and we plan to put them to work bribing them with food and company. We need some strong young men to help us get a T.V. into the apartment.

Tomorrow I’m looking forward to a nice strong cup of french press coffee here at K & A’s apartment. What are you looking forward to?

The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b.

To honor and encourage

Category Archives: U.S.A.