After keeping a blog going for more than five years, I meandered down a new street and took a break. Here, in a nutshell is what happened... I traded some of my photography and writing time to re-acquaint myself with my body....I started lifting weights and walking...daily. The results are now apparent, and I have to say that it is pretty cool to be down several sizes and pounds, and up muscle mass on my arms. Why now? I decided that I didn't necessarily want to grow old as gracefully as I once thought. The words kicking and screaming worked their way into my head, so I turned my Ipod up high, put my ear-buds in and started moving. The line from Bob Seeger's song Rock and Roll Never Forgets couldn't be more true and although sweet sixteen has turned 31 a long, long time ago, it still applies.
We flew in to the Asheville North Carolina airport a little before Halloween for a much needed vacation and stayed for a few days in the fantastic little town of Dillsboro.
We stayed at the rustic chalet style Dillsboro Inn which is located next to a most idyllic river
and spent one lovely morning getting to know the town and it's amazing craft stores.
Then, it was off for a ride up the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway. There was something very deja vu about this ride, not that I had ever been here before, but I felt instantly comfortable and enthralled by the scenery.
We stopped at almost every available spot so that I could jump out of the car and take pictures.
I just kept thinking that I had been here before, knowing, that it wasn't so.
But boy, those mountains are awesome and a welcome change from the flat land of the Jersey Shore. After Dillsboro, we spent the rest of the week in Asheville.
The city is very walkable, and has something for you to look at and be surprised by every step of the way.
Art galleries, vintage and antique stores, fantastic book stores, breweries and wine bars, and restaurants. The night life, bars, and music venues were fantastic too.
There was creativity every step of the way, and it really did get the inspiration flowing. The photo above is a few dresses made from condoms as a fund raiser for Planned Parenthood. Amazing!!
It really was a fun trip, and although we came home looking forward to one of my favorite holidays, Halloween did not actually happen for us this year.
Hurricane Sandy barreled up the east coast and smacked right into us, and the entire Jersey Shore. It was/is a mess. We lost part of the roof to our house, trees fell on the fences, and the entire veggie garden was wiped out. We had no power for eleven days, toughing it out for the first five and then borrowing a generator for the last six. It was cold and kind of miserable, and we feel like we were so very lucky. You see, just a few miles from us entire communities were wiped out. Homes covered by the sea and when it all pulled back, there was sand and wreckage everywhere. Peoples homes were in bits and pieces....and then my computer decided it had enough and bought the dust as well.
So, new computer and I am ready to start writing again...and maybe taking more pictures. I will be coming by to visit and catch up, and I am hoping that everyone has been well. Oh, and one last thing...before my computer died, when we had no power in the house, we did have wi-fi thanks to my son the techie, and so I watched the only movie saved on the computer. It was Last of the Mohicans, one of my all time favorites. As I was watching, it ocurred to me that the scenery was so much like the mountains of North Carolina and so, after the movie, when the credits started to roll, sure enough, we read that is where it was filmed!! I had seen those mountains before...many times...at the movies!!
This post is being linked with Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, Smiling Sally for Blue Monday, The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday, How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday, and Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Hoping to show up with more holiday energy in the next few posts.
Congratulations on your determination to get moving and get fit. That's a good lesson for us all. So glad you're ok, after Sandy, even though you had a bit of a loss there. I've been down volunteering so I know what devastation there has been. I'm glad you got a chance to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway. The photos are beautiful.
Posted by: Ciaochowlinda | December 06, 2012 at 02:40 PM
That's right... you're in kickass shape now!
Everone, my awesome mother.
Posted by: Jenna | December 06, 2012 at 03:30 PM
Your time spent working out is probably far more beneficial than sitting at a computer. I'm with you when it comes to going kicking and screaming into the next phase of life which simply stated is getting old!
Posted by: Lulu | December 09, 2012 at 06:29 AM
Good for you, to have gotten off the couch (as in my case, rather than chair) and working out! I started blogging a little over a year ago, and pretty quickly became aware of how much sitting I was doing as a result. When I do a tablescape I feel like one of the benefits is that I'm up and down to the basement and back, and climbing or stooping to find items not used often, so I'm always glad about that. I'm so sorry about that crazy storm...it had/has to be an awful scenario. Best wishes to you as you get through all the repairs. Please stop by and visit. ~Zuni
Posted by: Zuni | December 09, 2012 at 08:22 PM
loved reading your story and seeing your images - particularly those mountains. Yes, that is a great movie! And I was sorry to read about the devastation you suffered during the storms, and hope that you are picking up the pieces of life again. No doubt you are very grateful compared to what some suffered. Oh, and good on you for getting out there and exercising. I am sure you feel a lot better for it.
Have a wonderful week & take care. I am linking up to you through Mosaic Monday.
Posted by: Jill Harrison | December 10, 2012 at 06:56 AM
I congratulate you! And, I'm happy that you've come back to blogging. I love your shots of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have been there and I have loved those same views. Thanks for sharing.
You didn't link in a picture, so as soon as I leave this comment, I'll do that for you.
Happy Blue Monday, Sue.
Posted by: Sally | December 10, 2012 at 07:28 AM
Your hard work paid off.
My Blue Monday.
Posted by: Pie | December 10, 2012 at 08:04 AM
Good for you, Susan! Wish I could shed some of my unwanted pounds, too:)
Visiting from Blue Monday- hope you can stop by:
http://www.cassandrasminicorner.com/2012/12/270-classic-cartoons-to-watch.html
Posted by: Cassandra | December 10, 2012 at 02:00 PM
We honeymooned in Dillsboro at the Dillsboro Inn by that wonderful river and little water fall! Beatufiul area. Glad you were rested and rejunvinated before Sandy came and blew you away! Hope things are back to normal soon!
Posted by: Rennie | December 11, 2012 at 07:59 AM
What an awesome trip- love the pics!
Congrats on losing weight and getting in shape- that's not an easy task. I am trying to talk myself into doing just that!:)
Posted by: [email protected] | December 11, 2012 at 03:55 PM
I'm so glad you are back to blogging, Susan, but I agree you were on a break for a good reason to exercise more! I have tio do the same once life clams down. Right now I am knee deep in packing paper and boxes preparing fr our move in January.
Sandy was horrible! I'm sorry to hear you had damage. We were incredibly lucky as two block in either direction people were flooded in 3 -5 feet of water from the surge. Our house is on slightly higher ground. We did not even lose power!
The Blue Ridge Mountaisn are so beautiful! One of our first vacations when we were newly married was a drive along the BR Pkwy.
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | December 11, 2012 at 05:55 PM