Home Sweet Anastasia Island!

We landed on Anastasia Island, with just a quick drive over the Bridge of Lions from the city of Saint Augustine herself and quickly adapted to the carefree, go lucky, happy attitude of island living; our month of idyllic life began the moment we pulled up to our home in Saint Augustine Beach, it was like driving into a dream. From the proximity to the sea and the charm of our adorable yellow cottage, it was almost as if I needed to pinch myself to verify it was all real; the setting was almost too perfect to believe. Needless to say, St. Augustine Beach won us over from the get-go!

Of course the beach being half a block away was the focal point of our trip, being able to wake with the sun almost every morning to watch her rise up out of the Atlantic had such a refreshing and renewing energy. It was almost like a spiritual experience for many of the locals, running into many of the same friendly faces day after day, cup of coffee or surfboard in hand, just watching the gift of vitality the sun brings at the crack of dawn, grateful to start each day anew and reenergized by its light. Acclimating to the Salt Life didn't take long, trust me, as you can tell, blog posts are very far  behind! I was sucked into the present, not wanting to miss a moment of playing in the sand or listening to the sound of the waves. 

Our First Sunrise in St. Augustine Beach

Unfortunately, Ethel didn't appreciate Tom and I’s love for the beach as much as we did and would run from the ocean as fast as her little legs in powdery sand would take her. On the plus side, we found her a great doggie daycare to play and mingle with friends while her humans took to the waves! Most of the beaches here are pet friendly, well, pretty much everything is pet friendly here. Think I am kidding? Ethel pretty much went everywhere we did, well except the market, but as far as dog friendly cities, I have never visited a city that values pets as much as this place, except maybe Black Mountain. 

Saint Augustine Beach is truly a beach town, if you have shoes on, you’re a tourist! The locals walk barefoot virtually everywhere and I can say, it is pretty easy to get used to not putting on shoes, in fact there are a couple of times that Tom and I hopped in the car realizing, oh shit, we need shoes! Everyone is friendly, kind and they live on beach time; things get done when they get done, no rush and no worries. Especially if the waves are beckoning the surfers to the sea, this is a surf town and well, surfing comes first regardless of work. In fact there are a couple of shops and eateries that would just flip the open sign to closed and you could watch the staff, surfboards in hand, running to the ocean! Now “City Bonnie” might find this annoying, but “Beach Bum Bonnie” found this enticing! Everything about this place had me wrapped around its finger!

Our Beach

The home itself was cozy and exuded the beach vibe; from the decor to the outdoor shower. The house even smelled of the sea and not in the fishy gross way, but it had that appealing scent of moisture. Imagine a cool night, waves crashing and the breeze blowing through the window, that is the smell this place emanated! Besides the fun vibrant colors in the home, the place boasted a couch with fish on it, seriously, how can it be more beachy than that! 

We have so much to share from our time here: our adventures, visitors, history and pictures, but in the meantime, here she is - the home that captivated us - the place we almost needed to be evicted because we really didn't want to leave - our Magical Beach Oasis:

Back Patio

Family room complete with a fish couch! It was literally covered with fish! 

Guest room that got used!!! 

Dining Room

Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Shell Art for the Home

Cozy Front Porch

Our Outdoor Shower

Appalachian Adventures!

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that Goddamn mountain.” Jack Kerouac

I had to start with this quote because it feels synonymous with our trek and the Blue Ridge Mountains and I love Jack Kerouac, so any reason I can to quote him, I will. We left the bustle of the city for the age old Appalachians, hankering for some down time and seeking the opportunity to follow our mountainous roots. We needed to get back to nature, hitting the hiking trails and just bask in the grandeur of Mother Nature.

North Carolina Arboretum

Being from Utah there is a vast difference between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains. Yes, I can already hear those used to the Rockies, calling the Appalachians lovely rolling hills and although they might not peak as high as the Rockies, they do possess a wisdom and spirit that the Rockies do not. These “hills” were once as high or higher that the Rockies but being four times older than the Rocky Mountains, they have had more time to erode and eventually whittle down to what we see today.  Can I say I prefer one to the other? No! They both have fantastic trails and beauty galore, but while the Rockies have a vibrant youth and energy about them, the Appalachians magnetize with their enlightened serenity.

Chimney Rock

I also noticed a difference in regards to the outlook of life in general of the people that surround both of these regions. In Utah, everyone is always going and planning, hell, the state motto is “Busy Bee.” The people we met and conversed with in the Asheville and surrounding areas, seemed carefree and to go with the flow; a life lived in the moment if you will. Which got me thinking about if the vibe and if the age of a mountain can affect the behavior of those that live in her shadows? Or if the more conscious perspective of those here in the south, or if it could be in large part due to the powerful vortex energy that surrounds the area. Now I just need to hunt down a scientist to study this for me, takers?

Hickory Nut Fall or better known as the fall in "Last of  the Mohicans"

Our stay in the Blue Ridge Mountain area was packed full of marvel and adventure and I really just couldn't wait to get out the door and see where the next trail would take us.  With hiking trails galore, we couldn't resist taking every weekend to hike and indulge in a new piece of eye candy. I feel as though we had just begun to scratch the surface of the beauty that the vistas of the Blue Ridge hold while we were there. Beyond just hiking we found lots of excursions and fun to be had, most involving nature in some aspect, but really, you’re nestled right along the Blue Ridge Parkway, how can you not partake. So here they are, our crazy mountain adventures, crammed into one post because well, I’ve been busy and here I am trying to play catch up.

Lake Lure or that place "Dirty Dancing" was filmed

Our first hike was Chimney Rock and Hickory Nut Falls. Now I am not quite sure if Chimney Rock should be classified as a hike, since there is an option to take the elevator to the top of the 26 stories versus climbing the 500 stairs to its majestic peak; a great option for those that want to take in this natural splendor, but may have physical limitations. The namesake is for its resemblance of a chimney sticking out of the ground and on a clear day one is rewarded in their climbing accomplishment by viewing 75 miles of stunning vista! I believe I could have sat for hours on its perch looking out over the panorama of the Blue Ridge Mountains, captivated and in awe at the remarkable view.

Lake Lure

Once down from the perch of Chimney Rock, there is another trail leading you towards the waterfall made famous by the “Last of the Mohicans,” Hickory Nut Falls. Less than a mile stroll and you are immediately cooled by the mist of the falls; 404 ft. of water force pouring over the side, making it one of the highest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The water shimmering silver as it falls down the side of the huge cliff walls; demonstrating the force of Mother Nature and the power of erosion and how this entire area has been shaped over thousands of years.

Emerald Village Mine

Our bodies cooled down from the falls and back in the car we couldn't resist the urge to explore and check out the town of Lake Lure that was just up the road. Not only was the film “Dirty Dancing” staged here, but it was also a vacation destination to many luminaries: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Calvin Coolidge and FDR to name a few. Lake Lure is a natural amusement park; between the walking trails around the lake, the sandy beach and the flowering bridge, one could easily feel as though they have been transported to a whole new world and a time of whimsy, when lake side resorts were all the rage and life was a simpler time.  

Our Mining Adventures

One of our first non-hiking adventures took us to Emerald Village to go panning for gems. We got in touch with our inner child and didn't even hesitate to dig right into the dirt in search for that giant emerald. This enterprise was so much more than I had originally speculated, but Tom, Tom knew all along it was going to be a blast and his smile said it all as he scooped heaps of dirt from our pile of earth and onto the pan for the water to wash away, leaving us nothing but sweet rewards. To say we had a “gem of a time,” would be an understatement, this place was a kid’s paradise, especially for those adults that are still children at heart. So how did we make out? Not quite sure, but we sent our loot off to our family jewelry expert, Sherry, to figure it out and come up with some beautiful creations all her own; I for one can’t wait to see what she comes up with.

The Blowing Rock

The following weekend we were prepared for another hike and we headed to The Blowing Rock, a cliff that overhangs the valley of John’s River Gorge and is North Carolina’s oldest travel attraction. The three of us were prepared for a hike to get in order to see this view, so imagine our surprise when we walked out of the fee station and there she was, right there in all her glory! Those of you that know me, know that I am rarely a person without words, so imagine a site so jaw dropping that I was left speechless! I was in a state of wonderment at the quintessential beauty of the sight in front of me; if there is a heaven, this is what I envision it would look like.

Grandfather Vineyard

After being bribed to leave The Blowing Rock by the prospects of wine tasting and rain on the horizon, the three of us headed over Grandfather Vineyards to search for drier weather. Not only were we met with great wines and the comfort of an indoor tasting, but the terraced vineyard was treasure in and of itself. Vines ripe with dew covered grapes, a slight cloud cover and brightness that only fresh rain could bring all brought the perfect landscape for a sipping on a glass of wine and eating a delightful afternoon snack. The grounds were the perfect backdrop, Adirondack chairs lining the babbling creek, it was like a little oasis that almost made you forget that anyone else was around. A perfect atmosphere to regroup before heading into town for some Art in the Park. 

Grandfather Vineyard

Being in the mountains and in such an outdoorsy play land, we got to relish in times past and recreate a lot of our childhood moments. One such event included the day we decided to go on an apple picking adventure. Of course a lot of the apples on the low lying branches had been picked already, but not to fret, I still remembered how to climb a tree! That youthful rush as I reached for limb after limb, climbing higher and higher, picking delightful honey crisps as I went and then tossing them down to Tom to put in our basket. The basket was full in no time and we rushed to get back home to make apple crisp; mouths watering as we could already taste the warm crisp merging with the large scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top and yes, it was damn tasty!

Sky Top Orchard

Another day and wanting a trail adventure that was close by, we headed to the North Carolina Arboretum. Not only does this place offer up over ten miles of hiking and biking trails from beginner to advanced, it also offers plenty of cultivated gardens to sit back and enjoy post hike. The Arboretum was a complete dog haven, with an outdoor café where Ethel could sit and relax with us and regroup before touring the Bonsai Garden and taking in all the vibrant flowers this place boasts. Overall this place is pretty magical, giving a nature experience for all levels of fitness and for those that just want to peruse gardens or for those of us looking for a more arduous excursion through the vibrant forests and a definite recommend if you’re in the area and want something close to Asheville.

Climbing Trees at Sky Top Orchard

Triple Falls was also on our list of places we must hike, being so close to a place that the “Hunger Games” was filmed it would be a travesty to not visit this spot. DuPont State Forest Park, makes it really easy to get in and see not only Triple Falls, but Hooker Falls and High Falls as well; a nice and fairly easy three mile groomed trail. Of course Triple Falls exuding the most character out of the three as it cascades down the hill side, creating three distinct falls; a great spot to stop for a picnic and to just take in the dramatic scenery mixed with that Hollywood presence.

Triple Falls also known as the place in the "Hunger Games"

Then there was our grand adventure, the Blue Ridge Mountains setting the idyllic backdrop for a horse ride, and it was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. It was imperative that we made this happen. We arrived at the stables early, taking time to enjoy the free range farm and the creatures that live there before saddling up for a two hour ride through the back country. Neither of us had been on a horse in years, so we were a little nervous, but the guide set us at ease and gave us a nice boost of confidence. The ride was picturesque and peaceful; truly a great way to spend the day, taking in some breathtaking scenery without even having to walk.  The best aspect the leaves, were just beginning to change, and the foliage was spectacular, riding along the ridge line, we were captivated by the bright red and orange against the bright blue sky. Two hours flew by and it was an experience we will treasure for years to come and a bonus that our asses weren't nearly as sore as we had anticipated.

Asheville and the surrounding areas truly offer up so much to do and see. If we weren't off on an adventure you could find us strolling along the shops and the Urban Trail in Asheville, sometimes stumbling upon festivals on Lexington Street or lost in the ginormous farmers market, picking up produce and local goodies.The people here are kind and lovely and we had the pleasure to meet new people and I even had lunch with our charming host, Monica; who by the way is amazing and I am so happy I had the opportunity to meet her. And less I forget, this area is a foodie's heaven, especially for those that try to eat local and organic like us. We feel so fortunate that we got to come back to this place and stay for a longer time this time! So far we've spent the most time in North Carolina, making it nine weeks as opposed to any other place, we really love it here and I definitely wouldn't mind owning a little cottage nestled right among Blue Ridge Mountains.

The beginnings of fall

Thank you for bearing with the long and rambling post in my attempt to catch up on our journey, we have been busy as of late and sometimes I just let the moment overtake me. Our time in Black Mountain and the Asheville area was phenomenal and it was so hard to leave; from the quaint towns surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway, to the rich green forests, and the rolling smoke covered hills. If we weren't heading towards the ocean, I don’t know if I could have managed to leave, this place truly captured my heart!

While I work on getting caught up, please enjoy some images of our time in among the great Smokies. 

Top of Craggy Mountain

Looking Glass Waterfall

Home Sweet Black Mountain

We departed Boston bright and early, knowing we had a lengthy day on the road and we wanted to get in as much discovery as possible before hitting our landing point for the evening. The Flex was loaded and pointed towards the sea for our first trek to Rhode Island and all on our set timetable, insert happy dance here! Seriously, for or us these days this is a big accomplishment, especially since I have become accustomed to the laissez faire attitude on our journey and generally find myself moving much slower than I anticipated. I know, I have become that person you need to deceive by telling them the party starts sixty minutes prior to the official time. At one point I would mock these people and now I have come to value the aspect of living and being in the moment, and I must say it is quite nice here, I don’t know what took me so long to succumb.

Mystic

Newport, home of the social elite was our first stop, taking a moment to stare in awe at the opulence of the chateaus of the rich and powerful. I felt like I was a world away and had just stepped out of the pages of “The Great Gatsby,” a tad envious, but at the same time the grandeur of these places seemed tinged with sadness. I don’t know if that is because the vast size or that they just seemed cold and appeared to lack that cozy “home” vibe. Many of these historic mansions were built during the American Gilded Age, 1865-1914, some are open for tours, some still occupied and some rumored to be haunted; all exuded a lush extravagance and I wish we would have had time to tour a few before moving on to our next destination, but alas, we arrived before opening hours. We did however take some time to stop on  Ocean Drive, breath in the seaside air and listen to the crashing waves before loading back up and hitting the road for Mystic, CT.

Bascule Drawbridge

Mystic is a town that screams nautical from the very second you drive in to the historic downtown; the maritime feel consuming you as you drive over the Bascule Drawbridge and park along its shop lined streets. Our stop came at a perfect time, ready for a coffee re-fill, a nice walk to stretch our legs and to witness this counterweight bridge lift and lower to let boats pass through the channel on their way out to sea. Our only regret was arriving too early for lunch at the famous Mystic Pizza, but we did however manage a fresh bag of kettle corn from a local shop that was gone within an hour of being back on the road.

Monticello and it's picture on the nickel

Between stops and detours we had hit eight states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia) and we had been on the road for close to twelve hours. By the time we had hit our resting place in Charlottesville, VA we were ready to crash and burn. We rose with the sun and went out for a run, breakfast and one last stopping point before heading to our final destination in Black Mountain, NC.

Thomas Jefferson's resting place at Monticello

Our quick stopping point was to visit that famous home that has had its mark on the reverse of the nickel since 1938, Thomas Jefferson’s retirement estate, Monticello. We arrived early, before the crowds had set in and virtually had the place to ourselves, giving us plenty of unobstructed photographs and time to take in the serenity of the views overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains. We took our time, walking the trail up to the home, passing by the resting place of Thomas Jefferson and his descendants, the slave quarters and then looked upon the beauty of a home. Before leaving we stopped by the gardens and vineyards, all still producing from the original plants in Jefferson’s time. A few of the tour guides stopped to visit with us, admiring Miss Ethel’s adorable factor, and we learned that Monticello works with no-kill animal shelters, adopting dogs to live on the property and to roam free during hours they are closed to the public. If you ever find yourself in this area, Monticello makes for a great history lesson and is definitely worth the stop.

Gardens at Monticello

Two days on the road and we finally had arrived at our resting place for September, just outside of Asheville, NC in the quaint town of Black Mountain. As you pull up to our adorable Red Cottage, the first thing you notice is the picket white fence, then the rocking chairs that adorn the lovely front porch; imagine our delight and hurry to unpack so that we could pour a glass of wine, sit out front and begin to thoroughly enjoy the view of those majestic Blue Ridge Mountains while rocking away. This porch has a serenity about it, I start my day out here with my morning cup of coffee and end it at night with a glass of wine, listening to the birds by day and the sound of crickets by night, all adding to the allure and charm of this home.

Sunflowers at Monticello

Our place here has been a real retreat for us, being in the country, surrounded by mountains again and something all three of us needed after spending five months experiencing city life. There is a peaceful silence about this place, a calming essence, or we could just be succumbing to the healing vortexes and that vibrational energy that resides in these ancient mountains. I feel like our spirits have renewed and we have been loving the opportunity to just get out and embrace the harmonic energy of Mother Nature again.

Lake Tomahawk

Not only do we have all this amazing electromagnetic energy going on around us, but we have the cutest and coziest home to stay in and the hosts have not let any detail go. The home has everything one could need: to cook, to relax and the love and hard work that has gone into this place definitely shows. Our hosts are the real deal, kind and friendly, oh and beyond fabulous; they continue to make sure we are taken care of and have completely spoiled us. In fact upon our arrival, we were greeted with wine, coffee, snacks, fresh produce and all the makings for a breakfast the following morning; did I mention they have thought of every detail! Their kindness and generosity has been beyond appreciated and I am contemplating never leaving!

Spoiled by our hosts, and this is just a portion of it. :)

Ethel has also taken to this place, she loves having a yard again, to sniff around and play without the restraint of a leash. I do have to say it has been wonderful to just open the door when she needs to go out and getting to forego the process of putting on the harness and leash, then searching for a grassy patch like we did in the city! Ethel’s favorite is Lake Tomahawk and taking a stroll around the lake, chasing ducks, meeting new friends and getting all her wiggles out. I have also fallen in love with our daily strolls here and many of times I have make it a midpoint for my runs, just so I can soak in the view and the calmness of the place, it almost makes me forget I am running, almost.

Our Adorable Black Mt. Home

We have been here for a bit now and have been out on so many adventures that I can’t wait to share with you, but for now, here she is, our little Red Cottage: