Vacation!

Last month, we decided to get out of town for the long weekend. I got 5/3 off so I took 5/2 off to make it a 4 day weekend. After we talked about where to go, it turned into a whole week...2000 miles, give or take. It was fantastic!

Our first stop was Ashville, North Carolina and the Biltmore Estate. Completed in 1895. 250 rooms. 43 bathrooms, 35 bedrooms and 65 fireplaces. 8,000 acres. If you ever get the chance to go, take it. You won't be sorry, I promise. It's just mind blowing!! When we were standing smack in front of it, all I could think was, why? Honestly, why do you want a house like that? I just can't even think that big!! 172,000 square feet. If it were all on 1 level, it would cover 4 acres. The whole place is stunning. The detail in every little thing is just unbelievable. 

(remember, you can click on the pictures to see them larger) 

would you even think to do your ceilings like this?!

or this...

or like this?!

This library holds over 10,000 books!

how about tooled leather wall coverings?

your own gym

your own indoor pool

I loved it when you leave the house, there is this table to show you what's blooming in the gardens today. Pretty cool. 

Their own conservatory...

and vineyard

I bet I took over a 100 pictures! It was so astounding!

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Our next stop was Savannah, Georgia. I spent so much time looking around at everything, I hardly took any pictures! Savannah is a beautiful city. The history, the architecture of the homes - holy wow!!! The heat and humidity is awful though. I don't know how they did it! Ugh.

I love Spanish moss!!

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Then we went to Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was really pretty in a swanky, beach resort kind of way. We had lunch here and I ate calamari for the first time. Meh.

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Next stop, Charleston, SC. Again, the history is amazing. And the old part of Charleston is so different from Savannah. Colorful, charming, southern :-) We are convinced, southerners are a lot nicer than mid-westerners. 

And there I am...that's the Atlantic ocean! Now I've really been on both coasts!!

We also took the tour out to Fort Sumter. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. After Fort Sumter, we went across the harbor and toured an aircraft carrier and a battleship.

Have you ever seen an airplane with it's wings folded up?!

You can't even see the other end!!

This was the battleship, parked next door.

Our last stop before heading north again, was Myrtle Beach. VERY touristy!! Maybe we would've done the boardwalk if I hadn't been so sunburned, but I'm not sure. We really had the best weather almost the whole time!

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On our way home, in Virginia, we ran into this traffic. Stopped, not moving, for almost 2 hours!!! That was a first for both of us. It sucked!

These tunnels were outrageously long! 5400 feet.

8 solid, busy days, 2,000 miles, 9 states! I LOVE our adventures and road trips!

does anything change?

Today, in the wake of death, what change is needed? 

I read the text of the President's speech yesterday. I listened briefly to the news this morning. It's the same old talk. Same old words. Common sense gun laws are needed. What are those? Because that's not going to matter. Restrictions are needed. What kind of restrictions? Do you want to ban assault weapons? What exactly are those? Be specific. Then, do it. Both sides, make compromises if you have to. Get it done. But don't be vague. Don't be lazy. Stand up to whoever you need to. Good grief. Stop saying the same old things. If you want to ban assault rifles, do it. It won't be the first time. If you can show people that it'll make a difference, then show them, prove it. But if you're lazy, and you're true concern is the power you yield as a legislator, then just shut up and sit there. Stop blaming. Stop pointing fingers. But if you believe it's for the good of the people, then just do it. Isn't that your job? Go ahead, give it a try!

But, when you've done that, then you better be ready to address the real problems. You better be ready to discuss and fix the problems in this country that have led us to where we are today. Because taking aspirin for a fever, only makes the fever disappear, not the flu itself. Same things apply to the people. Stop being lazy. Go ahead, give it a try! 

Do YOU think that will happen? Ever? Politicians...media...religion...

Whatever happened to just doing the right thing? Looking out for each other. Being kind and helpful. Thinking about others before yourself?