In Pictures

My parents backyard

 We decided as a family that instead of going on a vacation somewhere this year, we would do a "Staycation"  (although the only one who didn't have to travel to get there was my mom) and enjoy the beautiful area and outdoor activities that surround my parents house. Since I have not been here in the summer since I moved in 2008 I was excited about this idea!   It was so great to really enjoy the decks and porch at the house while we were at home, but also go and do many fun things in the area!

 We spent lots of time as a family

 We hiked 12 miles......almost half of which was uphill........in the august heat..........and we ran out of water.........BUT we made it!

We at at our favorite local soda shop, Rockys, and had the same waitress we've had for the past 10 years (gotta love small town life) and we got this...

 We ate at several local restaurants and had some wonderful meals

 We rented a boat and spent a day on Lake Keowee

 We tubed down the French Broad River

 and I spent lots of time in the new swing (thanks dad!)   I mean does it get more peaceful than this?

 But all good things must come to an end and back to the airport I went.

And just so you know, my camera happy mother snapped this pic.  I don't make a habit of taking pictures walking in to airports.  And because it's me and I don't always get along with airports to well, I actually ended up leaving a day later than expected.  I was ready to board my flight when they came on and told us the charlotte airport was closed due to weather.  Long story short I was going to miss my connection in Charlotte to go to NYC.  They mentioned to a group of us that they don't provide hotels for weather related cancelations and we could sleep in the airport if we got stuck.  NOW if you know anything about my history and what happened this past Christmas you won't be surprised by the fact that extreme anxiety rolled in and I wanted NO part of this.  So I picked up my little I Phone, called my very sweet mother and asked her to come pick me up.  Thankfully US AIR was able to re-book all of us who needed new flights and I got an extra night at home! 

It was a great week in the Blue Ridge Mountains and a great week with the fam!