Update #1 Trips of the Summer
In May of this year, Todd, Elliana, and I took our first vacation with just our little family to celebrate Todd and my 5th anniversary of marriage. We went to Sugar Mountain, North Carolina courtesy of Todd's parents time share (thanks mom and dad!). We spent four days enjoying being in the mountains, hiking, seeing sites, relaxing and just having fun away from everything!
Here we are on a mile high bridge on Grandfather Mountain. The first day we went it was super foggy and windy and we couldn't see much but it was kind of crazy feeling like you are walking into an abyss across the bridge! What's on the other side-- you only know if you go! I am such an awesome rhymer! Actually some people were too scared to go across and just stood watching others. Kind of funny.
On the way down the mountain, the clouds and fog cleared and we saw this beautiful scene. So perfect huh!
Elli is taking the picture below. :)
The next day we went on a short hike to a beautiful little waterfall and then tried Grandfather mountain again since it was a nicer day. It turned out to be totally worth it. Elli like her little hiking backpack too!
On top of Grandfather mountain, they had an animal reserve with some cool animals that you could see really close up. Elli loved the bear and kept making her dog sound at it-- yep she thought it was a big dog. I can see the resemblance.
It was kind of like he was posing for us.
Little otters
We took a longer hike on a different mountain (can't remember the name) and ended up at an awesome scenic overlook. It was incredible. Sadly our camera ran out of batteries or we would have got even more shots.
We continued our journey the next day by visiting the Biltmore Mansion built by George Washington Vanderbilt II in the 1890s. It is the largest privately owned home in the US and the grounds are so huge (designed by Frederick Olmstead- the same man who designed NY central park). You aren't allowed to take pictures inside but I will just tell you it was really awesome. Beautiful cloth restored wallpaper, a huge organ and ornate fireplace, drawing room, and everything is constantly being restored and replicated exactly as it would have been originally built. There is even a whole history of the runaway Vanderbilt daughter who tried to escape the very regimented high society life by leaving her hubby and moving in with an artist in France. I kind of understand her frustration though- women and men had to change their clothes several times a day according to each activity and everything was very strict about what you could or couldn't do and say- kind of intense but very interesting to learn about.
Each gargoyle on the mansion is different.
The flower garden and conservatory. Where's Heather?
Awesome and we even had such beautiful weather. It started raining as we were leaving!
We had such a wonderful time and loved having such a relaxed vacation together. I love my family so much!!! I am so glad we get to spend eternity together! Love you Elliana and Todd! And Happy Anniversary my amazing and loving husband!
