The Grove Park Inn

We stayed at the Grove Park Inn while in Asheville a couple of weekends ago. This shot is from one of the balconies overlooking the world famous spa (the glass roof top)- I got a massage... mmm mmm mmm good. We had the most perfect weather. Our room was in the newer wing and right on the golf course, out there at the end of that building to the left The Inn is undergoing some renovations. Next time we want to stay in the historic main part which has all original furnishings Outside the spa there is a stone fire ring where you can continue relaxing and sipping your... beverage. I love all the furnishings in the hallways and public areas Two huge fire places in the main entry way. Hard to tell but that wood ready to burn is about 5 feet long. Lots of pictures on the walls of famous visitors - check out the hall furnishings. I want them all- I love mission style This is one of the 'older' places to check in There are rocking chairs everywhere, inside and out, to enjoy the views and just relax. We broke out our computers and did a little work Sunday morning on a presentation while enjoying the views :-)- I love a little multitasking like that

The Biltmore Estate

Last weekend we went to Asheville and while there revisted the Biltmore estate built by George Vanderbilt about 100 years ago. We took a couple of additional tours this time that I really enjoyed. One was a rooftop tour and the other was a behind the scenes tour where I was really wowed with the technology and foresight employed at the turn of the last century in building this mansion. But I have to say the roof top tour was my favorite.There are all kinds of gargoyles and grotesques all along the roof tops and some of them are quite a kick.All along the roof top in copper are the inititials of GV for George Vanderbilt.Well copper and some gold....see the bottom right hand fleur de lis? He had them all covered in gold.I spent a bit of time just fascinated with the grotesques (no water running through them) and snapped some shots of my favorites Weird huh?

Easter 2010

Lots of Easter excitement this year at Bry and Kims. We had an easter egg hunt, a delicious dinner and just a really relaxing fun time. The best was chasing Emerson around the house.

Emerson had a wee bit of a run in with the concrete at the bottom of their front steps yesterday. He had such a good time smashing his face and head that he did it again today by falling and hitting his head on the corner of a wall on the same side of his face. Poor little guy. But it didn't slow him down and we still had fun playing chase games around the house. Infectious kid giggles are the BEST! There were eggs to find outside and lots of adults to take pictures of the findings ;-) A very nice Easter, all the way around :-)

Portland in March

Got to visit with the Budds a few weeks ago and they took me to one of their favorite HIGH places from which to view downtown Portland. We had the best time, rain or no rain. Or should I say sun or no sun- I think the sun came out one day only. Ellen is always game for a pose. Or should I say pretty much everyone is game for a pose. and hiding from Mom is also fun. As was an early Birthday celebration at Red Robin... mmm mmm mmm Is this a cute picture of what. Brennan the charmer...