We're back on our feet again - literally and figuratively! After 5 weeks, the cast is off, I'm walking, albeit slowly, -- and the "Rolling White House" is repaired and looking good again! Just In time for a "visit from home". Haley Dahlquist arrived with her Villagers' in hand to greet us and visit New England.
What fun to catch up on what is going on there, and to see all the smiling faces in the Villager issues, from a summer filled with golf and all kinds of activities.
Since Haley grew up in the Boston area, she has been a great tour guide! We've seen the stunning fall colors in New Hampshire and Maine, the ruggedly beautiful Acadia National Park, lively Boston, and restful Cape Cod. A real whirlwind visit-but it sure is nice to see a familiar face!
Early in the month, while we were waiting for the Van to be repaired, which took 2 long weeks, we rented a car (and a wheelchair for getting around at attractions), packed up a few possessions, and took off to see Kentucky, E. Tennessee, and a bit of N. Carolina and W. Virginia. A 1500-mile circle that landed us back in Columbus, just in time for my Dr. appointment and to pickup the Van.
Cincinnati was our first stops as we headed towards Kentucky. Since that was my Mom's "old stomping ground" as a young woman, we took lots of pictures of many of the things she remembered. It was fun exploring that beautiful city along the Ohio River.
Louisville and Lexington were our major Kentucky stopping points.
Of course, horses and racing were the major attractions. Churchill
Downs does a wonderful tour and their Museum has everything you'd
want to know about the Derby. The horse farms of Lexington and
their Keeneland Race Track, where we got to watch a horse auction,
were not to be missed. This is a lifestyle of the rich and famous,
and it was fun getting a peak at what it is like. Lexington also
has a lot of history, and we enjoyed seeing Mary Todd Lincoln's
home, as well as visiting the Henry Clay mansion, Ashland. What
a time that was in our country's early development. The slavery
issue was literally ripping families and towns apart.
Our southern most destination on the loop was the Great Smoky
Mountains of Tennessee/N. Carolina. This was the first bad weather
we have had at an attraction on the whole trip! The mountains
were so shrouded in fog and clouds, along with incessant drizzle,
just like home, that we cut our visit short and just drove on
through. Our biggest disappointment though was Gatlinburg and
the surrounding area - it was like a 40-mile tacky amusement park
leading to the Smoky Mountains!
In Asheville, NC we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Biltmore Estate, another place we just stumbled upon. The largest private home in America, being preserved by a Vanderbilt Foundation. The home was completed in 1895 with 34 bedrooms and 43 bathrooms - all with running hot and cold water, as well as having electricity - practically unheard of in those days. Not all the rooms are open yet, but it is still a stunning tour, and the gardens are wonderful.
The real highlight and treat of the month though, was a one-night visit to The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. I had always read about it in travel magazines, golf magazines, etc. and wanted to visit. Since my ankle was in no shape for golf, we had to pass up their 3 beautiful courses, and just settle for the ambiance of the most exquisite place we have ever been. This place just oozes elegance, old world charm, and service that is incomparable. The food (which is included in the price) was heavenly, the rooms beautiful, and Phil thoroughly enjoyed the Spa.
After getting the cast off and picking the Van up in Columbus, we were off to see the fall colors. Being "boomers" though, we first had to stop at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland - really a fun afternoon for those of us from that era. On to New York and Niagara Falls, the Finger Lake district, and the Adirondacks. What a different NY than we had ever seen. Upstate NY is really beautiful, and quite laid back --not a bit like New York City.
The news stations actually show the progression of the Fall Colors as part of their weather reports. The reports were that this was one of the best seasons in years - a rainy summer, clear fall, and little wind combined to create a vibrant tapestry everywhere we went.
Well, it is another month under our belts, and the Eastern-most
and Northern-most points of our trip. We have put over 15,000
miles on the Van and have been on the road for 4 ½ months!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving - we plan to be in our Nation's
Capital - and we'll talk to you next month!