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Here we are again on another trip to NC. These trips are exploratory in nature in hopes to find a comfortable winter place to be, as well as a great retirement piece to life.

We left around 8am. Our first stop was the Irving NY res for Petro and our second stop somewhere in PA at a Subway for lunch.

We just arrived in WV and are staying at the Clarion in Morgantown for the night and visiting Scott’s long time friend Jaye.

We had a very nice ride to view the property without having to walk the 100 acres.

After our view of the property we had chicken pot pie….apple pie and some sipping of amaretto.

We are now back at the Clarion for the evening for some rest before our drive to an awesome cottage in NC where we will spend a week.

Although I didn’t find this hotel to have all the comfort in the world, just missing some of the little things, it was quaint in it’s historical nature. A taste of which can be seen in the pic of the dining hall.

We left the hotel around 8:30am to begin the last leg to the cottage. It’s a rather drizzling kind of day. Lots of green and fog covered mountain tops. The driver is enjoying himself and his co-pilot is navigating her paper maps.

It’s Lunchtime…. Two days in a row at Subway. Today we had the pleasure to outdoors.

We arrived at our Chalet mid afternoon….what a gem find #sfmstyle.

So on day two we took a ride to see a couple properties that Scott’s realtor had visited. One of which we found out was the wrong site and the other we had thought too steep down to the water, but a great view.

After looking at the property we took a ride to some of the nearby towns, particularly Hendersonville.

We stopped here as Marge was very interested in checking out the museum; however after parking, we found it to be closed that day. We then went to a consignment shop and we all know how Marge and myself included love these places.

After we got back to the chalet…Scott grilled steak while Mom and I made salad, potatoes and green beans.

On day three, Tuesday the 25th the realtor came by in late morning. He loaded into hospital rather large truck, with Marge having no trouble getting in.

Here they can be seen checking out both properties of interest.

We then had the pleasure of meeting Carol a realtor who knows the area. Doug our realtor and her set up a pontoon rode for us to see the property from the lake.

Above is the property that we made an offer on and although it was rejected our realtor is coming up with an other offer.

Here we have a day later….but fitting for here….momma was on the property, which is a good feeling for her.

Below is a shot of the Chalet we are in….which might be considered the back or the front.

Although there is more to day three to post, let’s start on day four here. The sun is out… finally…..well it’s not as I am writing this, but it was out long enough for us to see the mountains at the property and for Marge to get out and stand on the prospective property and for the three of us to travel down to Lake Lure to make memories… Where one can find the famous Chimney Rock.

Wednesday afternoon lunch was quite enjoyable on Lake Lure.

Wednesday afternoon walk in Lake Lure which called the River Walk

Wednesday night dinner main course always by our famous chef Scott.

Let’s move on to Thursday and fill in some of the blanks later. We got up and had breakfast a normal routine. Momma loves her yogurt and today we had melon as well. Scott and I also had our coffee.

We first took a ride to Columbus band then on to the Equestrian Center in Tryon. Although it was closed, I managed to get a couple of pics.

When we got back we sat outside a short bit…the sun was out. There after we decided to do a kyack rescue as it was floating by and for Scott to do a little fishing. Photos below are by Marjorie herself.

North Carolina was relaxing. We all loved the chalet and the exploration.

After leaving NC we headed back North for another Midway point stay and this time near Sutton, WV where we had a cute microtel unit. We we’re picked up by Jaye who brought along her brother’s wife Judy to take us to her dad’s for an awesome dinner.

On Sunday June 8th I left for Frankenmuth Michigan to meet up with Scott in order to travel to Indian River on our yearly excursion to kyack and spend time with our friends Dennis and Linda. Getting to Frankenmuth via Canada usong and already downloaded Google map as phone must be on airplane mode driving through to avoid charges. Once I arrived, we stationed my car at Frankenmuth Inn and had a great lunch listening to a German folk band outdoors.

The travel northbound was fairly easy but looking over to southbound, let me just say it was backed up for miles, most likely due to people leaving from their Fourth of July trip back to their prospective homestead.

We arrived unpacked and joined in the fun. Yes that is Dennis up on the camper as I took this pic the next morning.

As you can see Dennis has himself a helper.

And now for the beginning day of Kyacking which we left for Dennis and Scott. We ladies did our own thing like visiting with Joyce who is Dennis sister and buying a squirrel water shooter.

Now there was no way I could leave out the filling of the back support.

Above you see the water bucket with the squirrel shooters. The squirrels are constantly taking the woodpecker just and the bird feeder and if you have ever had to prevent squirrels from getting to your feeder you know how difficult that can be. Do you know they can actually tight rope upsode down across a wire to get to a feeder.

It was all in good fun and great entertainment. Of course I could never catch the photography in the act.

One of the next excursions whole there was to go to Gaylord which is a Swiss town and to our surprise it was the first day of the annual alpen fest there.

Loved the band sitting outside at the restaurant. I didn’t catch their names, but they have been playing together for thirty years.

Something pretty special happens when old friends get together. Marty and his wife Debbie have a great home. We got the chance to visit them.

Musicians they are and also pretty good cooks.

Those are Marty’s Galaxy potatoes.

We left around 6 am on April 18th and headed for Marion North Carolina in order to meet up with people in the town and county during the due diligence period of Scott’s property acquisition.

We arrived at the comfort inn around 6:15pm.

This was our first room. It was on the noisy side so we got a different room the second night. The hotel is in a makeover and workmen are not so quiet…plus we were on the highway side.

Next stop was to find some food which didn’t turn out too well timing wise as we chose to have chicken and KFC was out of white meat and Bojangles menu was to confusing. We wanted to get to the property prior to sunset. So we headed that way.

Next are the three holes Scott said the builder to dig for the perk test. These are needed so that the size if future home can be determined as far as bedrooms.

Next we took a walk around a bit and then got out the chairs to sit and relax.

Now it was time to eat. We were starved. There us a restaurant next to the hotel called FATZ. Most restaurants here are not what we are accustomed to and that being fried foods. So for one night we splurged, which didn’t sit well for one of us the next day.

Sorry I took no pics of this fried food.

Back to the hotel and up for day two…aff to the deeds office and the health department to pic up a plat map and health inspection sign to post for getting the perk tests done.

Then we had a pleasant surprise the project manager Tim came by and gave us some of his time to help us figure out possible house and dock placement. We were able to take another property walk.

Some fun at the development entrance.

As we had completed our plans for the day we moved on to do some sightseeing in nearby Ashville. We first arrived and found meter parking for a couple hours. By the time we wanted something to eat we had to find a new parking arrangement. We found a very nice garage

Mist of the shops are typical tourist gift and DIY..

So then it was onto eating and we found a really nice Brewery the name is a bit tricky and here I am posting this on 420.

Check out my lager on the right. It was pretty good. The food was absolutely delectable!

Day three was spent meeting with a guy from Duke Energy at the property, to see if a dock could go in, if the property acquisition goes through. We also went to the office of Burnette Contruction to look at some house designs for a possible future build.

For lunch we went to the Marina restaurant and had some great food. We also made arrangements to rent the pontoon on Saturday to explore the lake and the lakeside view of the property.

Have you ever had to retell a story after you’ve already told it? Well in this case, I have to let’s say re-blog this trip from day one….like really was I hacked or did I pull a Bruno and “toss it in the trash”?

Last year we did this same trip almost in reverse order; however visiting the same people and doing different things. On this trip we were priveledged to add a couple more people, one of which was unexpected.

So here we go in pictorial and written perspective.

This was a one night stay in Morrisville, NC so that we could break the travel down and also hit our favorite restaurant. In my honest opinion, our most romantic dinners happen here.

Of course it’s always nice to have a special treat such as a martini. One thing about Scott, he loves to make special moments.

We always like pics of sunsets and sometimes you get good ones, so I will try to share all the evenings that we caught them, this being the first.

The next day, we headed out to Jensen Beach to meet up with our friends, Pat and Roger. This year being extra special as they purchased their first snowbird home and they would no longer have to drive the fifth wheel down, which makes us happy as that drive concerns us.

Here are just a few shots from that portion of the road trip.

Once we arrived we got the tour of their home, here are just a few of those shots.

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So as the story goes one must eat; therefore Pat and Roger found us a nice place, but unfortunately no room out on the deck at Shuckers.

The next day, I took a little video shoot (open link in blue) and then we went on an excursion to an oceonagraphic spot.

Video Shoot

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Scott really enjoyed the feeling of the stingrays. There is a story to tell about the turtles here in that they can never be placed back into the ocean due to a buoyancy issue.

So then something awesome happened. Just after posting the above video on Instagram, I received a comment that said this is crazy that’s where I am….well it was a long time friend of my daughter Becca. Erica now lives in Florida and shared with me that she works at the boathouse in Stuart, so of course, we had to have lunch. So off over the bridge to the boathouse we go.

Besides having a great waitress, we had a great dish as well an Ahi Tuna Stack. If you have never had one, you need to do so. Yum for the Tum.

Also on the 2nd day we spent some time on he beach and watched Roger fishing. Then we had a friend visit, whom I had never actually met. Her brother Kyle is my sisters boyfriend and she happens to live in West Stuart.

Later on in the day we sat outdoors in their lini and enjoyed a delicious dessert of strawberry shortcake.

As I am putting back this replication for my fans, I may leave out a moment or two or even add others that had been missed, so feel free to leave comments for me. Please also feel free to share this blog with others.

The next day we decided before leaving for the keys we would walk the beach. Now let me tell you, I found a ton of unique shells and we watched some fish beong reeled in by the early morning fishermen.

Above is the man responsible for the whole trip; therefore he must be given credit. Below see if you can find a hidden creature.

So now we have said our good byes and are on our way to the keys for three days.

Above is our first sunset at a local restaurant, which we went to with the friends we had meant the yesterday before and intentially planned to be there at the same time this year. We really enjoyed our time with Karen and Larry last year so it was a must this year.

As you notice we had some props, see below my new friend.

Now already our second day in the keys, we decide to meet u with our friends on the two Mile Bridge where they would be fishing.

We got to see Karen catch many fish, must have been Larry’s off day. Here is one catch that was fun for Karen.

Later on as we are sitting out on our deck and everyone was back from daily excursions, we find the another neighbor in our block was still fishing within site. Well he caught something big. Les and his wife are here from England and their stay is a month long. Hit the video link below to see his sting ray catch…which he released and in the video, you will see Larry helping him release and you will hear Les’s wife commenting on her husband being mental.

Sting Ray Catch Link

Here are some pics as well of that catch.

Now time for the day two sunsets, this time at Edgewater.

The pic below is of the new setup on the deck, which we very much enjoy over last yes set up as the umbrellas and high chairs are an added touch. They made some other changes to, due to the fall 2017 hurricane that hit the keys.

The above is last year’s set up…..these chairs are now out front, which makes for another added improvement.

Now on to the third day which we find ourselves on the way to scuba dive. We get to Marathon and decide to eat at the Seven Mile Restaurant and as we are eating we get a call that they have cancelled due to a search and rescue on the reef they go to. However, they gave Scott another hook-up which ended up being cheaper for us.

Had to get a snapshot of this next to the restaurant. Never know whom might be out on the seas.

We did not get a pic of me in the water, but I did enjoy it. We went to two sites the 2nd I did not go out on as the waves from the first stop got to me. You get tossed around looking down into the water. It was all good as I caught Scott in the water.

The last evening Scott and I returned to the local restaurant which is on a camp ground to catch a bite to eat and have a drink.

We also got in one swim at the pool where we met the neighbors to the left of us. Debbie and John are from Maine and we have connected on Facebook. Always nice to meet new people and make new friends.

If you know me, I always have to toss in some selfies, just prior to hitting the pool.

So the next three day leg of our trip takes us to Ft. Meyers to visit with John & Ellen.

We did a couple of really fun things. One of which was to visit the winter homes Edison and Ford.

So after that plan was made, we decide to go visit our Rochestarian neighbor’s home in Florida and to also purchase some orange juice.

The above visit on our third day was very enjoyable and so educational. As we age heritage is so much more important to us. Having been to Dearborn Michigan and going through the museum this was so appreciated.

He gave us some great info and so amazing the knowledge he has built up about these two families.

More pics in a slideshow below.

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After this tour we were taken downtown to fort Meyers to go to a restaurant called Ford Garage.

Later in the evening, we had initially planned to go out to dinner; however we were all exhausted and decided to order pizza.

Now I must not leave out our second day, as they took us to a very special place that they have enjoyed many times.

We enjoyed the many wonders of nature such as Cypress knees and birds and our guide named many types of ferns to which we were to remember and were quized on. Our guide by the way was from Rochester. What a small world and the other people in the group were from Butler, PA. Some pics I have put in slide show while and separated the special ones.

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After this tour we did some Baells shopping and then back to the house to prepare for a sunset tour. We got the best seats over the walkway bridge and could hear the band at the restaurant, to which we would have had to wait for a seat. No worry here as when we were at the house we prepared snacks and brought wine and glasses, picnic style.

Then of course we needed a bit more to eat.

The above pic was posted on Instagram via the directive on the coaster.

Now we are on to our last stay with friends, the Drago’s.

Just after arriving Andrew was ever so kind to make us a delicious lunch and a bloody Mary. We were happy to be there to see them and to check in on Mary after her recent injury.

After lunch Andrew took Scott and I out on a short fishing trip via their new boat. It was a great time and nice to see Scott smile after some good catches.

Then Andrew had to make it look like I caught something as well, therefore he handed me the rod to pull one in.

Sometimes you get a good pic like the one below.

A nice feature to this venture out to fish was the bridge we crossed over to arrive.

After fishing and exploring the bay and seeing a few dolphins we went back to their place where Andrew put together a steak dinner, I forgot to take a pic but I can say that Andrew ended up saving Scott from a piece of steak that somehow was choking him. Yikes….always a story.

The next day the boys went out to fish on their own while we girls went to a nail spa to get a pedicure.

We ate some of the mackeral as when fileting it, a piece flew back in the water. Crazy stuff happens sometimes. In any event, it was a great one dinner appetizer.

My feet turned out to be a very nice choice of color. This experience was different too as the woman to the left of Mary had bejeweled nails and was running her business via phone while she was getting a pedicure.

When we arrived back the guys were still fishing. Mary and I had a visitor that day and we have named him/her Herman.

Now check out this video of this wonder.

Herman Video

Now for the handsome fish that the men caught.

That’s one happy man right there. We have Andrew to thank for that.

We actually ate half this guy….the other half jumped back in when Andrew was fileting it. Boy he should have cast in a pole then.

So after that Andrew made some awesome Ravioli.

They are an awesome couple. We love them very much. So happy we were still able to visit with Mary having had surgery on her arm. It was also nice to be able to help her some while there.

The third day Scott and I took a trip into St Pete while they worked on some personal business and walked around a bit. On the way back we went to a cool place…. unknown name at the moment. There we had some Ahi Tuna and actually met some one from Rochester. We got his card because he owns a painting business here.

The pic above is later in the evening on our third and last night at the Drago’s, where we had appetizers up on the 11th floor. The pic of the beach was taken from there.

After appetizers we went back to their home and I helped Mary get the chicken in the over and Scott made us an awesome ceasar salad……while we were in town earlier, we picked up anchovie paste, a major ingredient for the salad. Andrew was like a kid dipping into the tube of paste. We are sure he will be purchasing that for himself.

Our next stop was Morganton NC. We stopped just before getting to the Inn at a great Mexican Restaurant. The food and drinks were great.

After we enjoyed a great two nights at the Inn and we actually found some property that Scott made and offer on and he hopes to close in May. We will be making another trip down in a couple of weeks.

The third pic here would be the view…. which would be more spectacular from a house. The second pic is a view when driving into this gated community and the first pic is of a neighboring new build three sites away from in the framing of house.

The above are from our room at the http://innatglenalpine.com/mobile/

The last leg of our trip was to visit Butch and Jaye in WV…long time childhood friends of Scott’s. We always enjoy the company the food and the drinks along with some of their family as well. Here is a sample…smoked salmon served up with crackers and cream cheese.

Now let’s not forget a pic they showed us of Scott at 18.

That’s the end of our trip…. However there will be more pics to come from another camera.

Since meeting Scott, he has afforded me the opportunity to travel often, what more could I ask for? Well I do ask for more on occasion, as we women have some special needs such as frequent hugs, etc.

Our first trip of the year was to Florida, which I did publicize here,which was with my man and his boot leg, meaning he was coming off off surgery from a broken leg he suffered just prior to Christmas 2017.

The year didn’t end here, Scott got his boot off around April and he and his mom and brother enjoyed a cruise from Memphis to new Orleans on the Mississippi River Boat and they plan to leave in January of 2018 from San Francisco on a cruise to Hawaii.

A few months after their trip, we went to upper Michigan, which has been an annual 4th of July trip for Scott. We had a great time and enjoyed Drummond Island in the upper Peninsula for a day.

It starts with the packing which is for me always last minute…..I do know I forgot one thing, but nothing a pharmacy cannot solve.  Going through Canada to Michigan bis very interesting, so nice t have that #Nexus pass. Only downside is no internet or #socialmedia for the four hour duration. Being disconnected only has one concern…..not being able to have my daughter text if she needs me. I guess today it doesn’t really matter much because she has been taken a personal frustration out on me. We all need prays and as a teen growing into an adult, that qualifies for extra prayer.

So anyway, here is the first pic, which by the way I have already posted on Facebook. Bag 1 is my clothing and bg 2 that’s all #doTerra to share.

Just prior to arrival in #Deerborn I got car sick and need a bag. It has been a number of years since that happened to me. Guess I have to come up with an oil plan for that.

We arrived just in time for Happy Hour at the Henry Ford  Village.

We went to bed early last night; however. As I logged in to my social media I found that a very close friend of mine had lost his son. Jay will be missed by many. Parents are losing their children needless. Prayers needed across the country 

We got up and Marge had prepared and awesome breakfast for us.  Soft boiled eggs, toast, cantalope, cranberry juice. We are now enroute to #IndianRiver in upper Michigan.  Instead of bypassing Detroit, we went through a bit of downtown Detroit. I found it interesting that they have something called a people mover that goes around the city up above.

We are now on 75 North marker 114 in a traffic Jam just before route 69.  #waze a great app to have along with Goggle giving us a 15 minute delay.

It has been difficult keeping up with the posting on this trip. We arrived around 4PM Saturday. Our friends had guests over in the evening….Joyce and Don, they were fun. Don is a bag piper….I must hear him someday. 

Just prior to arrival, I was jolted with my daughters abrubt need to get to California; which caused me to arrange for a caretaker for our Piper Puppy. Thanks once again Laura for being a faithful cousin. Piper is camping too. Needless to say, my girl is not staying in California as she has to get back to school and will be returning via car with her half sister.  I pray the school will understand her emergency needs. Her jobs….she have to get new ones.

The next day Sunday was much more dramaless. We went on a bit of an excursion to the market and then to a place where the Elk due range.