Creatively Escaping the Heat

Saturday was another super hot and humid day. I do love the heat, but I'll admit I don't have the stamina to handle it like I used to. So the first highlight of the day was driving in the A/C to an air-conditioned book fair at Lake Arrowhead. Found three must-have reads because of course that's what they were selling!

Got home and had a surprise Amazon package delivered. Who needs a neon ice cream sign?? THIS birthday girl! I texted Jim, Carter and my twin to see who was responsible for this cool moment of joy on a hot day... and my twin did not disappoint!

I had hoped to photograph the water ski show later, but we got hit by some pretty hard and steady rain in the late afternoon.

Quite a bit in a short amount of time. So I stayed home and turned my attention elsewhere. To Shutterfly, in fact, and their recent text that they had a screaming deal for the weekend. Unlimited free pages AND free shipping.

So look at me finally finishing a vacation album from 10+ years ago!  

I mean I could also make some headway on a Maui vacation from 2016, but I don't think the 5 hours between now and midnight is enough. On the plus side, they do often extend the "unlimited free pages" coupon another day after the holiday. So there's a chance I can start it tonight and have all of tomorrow to scrap away. 

But let's not forget, this was a 5-day weekend with all intentions of "relaxing." Ahhh, decisions... decisions...

Hope you had a relaxing and SAFE holiday weekend!

Good Old Rocky Top

Every year of our sister weekend, my twin and I have an opening act. This year we created our own lyrics to "On Top of Old Smoky" but also had a random dance to "Rocky Top." Here are a few images to accompany it! 

Flying in.

From our cabin/vacation rental. 

Just Smoky Mountain views out the van window...

And the reason they're called The Smokies.

Of course we had sunset views, too!

And normal "these layers are pretty awesome" views, too!

By the end of our week, I learned that just hanging out with mountain views was pretty awesome and NEEDED for a vacation vibe. I also realized there is a certain relaxing Zen feel in the mountains.

Thanks, mountains, for secretly providing this for me!

Wild Women's Week

Our annual sister weekend was pretty different this year. First, since we decided to fly somewhere – Asheville, N.C. Second, since it was in summer not fall. Third, since it was much longer than a weekend. And finally, since there was less than 24 hours that all 7 of us were together at the same time!

Since I was 100% on vacation last week – including from blogging – here's a quick recap in words with many photos to come this week since nothing I have going on is as interesting or photo worthy.

So last Tuesday, August 1, all 7 sisters were going to fly out of Minneapolis. But my sister Romey's hubby fell ill and she decided to stay behind while they figured out if he was just dehydrated from the heat or what. So 6 of us flew to Asheville on Tuesday. 

We took the scenic route to the vacation rental home in Waynesville. That's when we learned quickly that just about every road was going to be twisty-turvy – as you'd expect on mountain roads. 

My poor sister Rachel was the only driver of the rental mini-van (aka R Bus – and yes, we all think ahead and R creative!) and she had to put up with 6 backseat drivers all week as some (OK, all) of us took turns freaking out about curves, heights, and traffic. Uff da.

But the views were worth it and so was the time with sisters. Romey was able to join us Wednesday night so we had all of us together that night and Thursday when we went to the Biltmore estate (pictured up top) before Raylene had to fly back home.

Since I was in the same state as my boy, he and Mamie made the 4-hour trek over from Raleigh to see us all Friday night. 

They had to leave Saturday morning for work, but it was worth it having a few awake hours together! Even though that breaks all rules since we never ever let anyone except our sisters participate in Wild Women's Weekend – except occasional dinners out with brother Ron. My grown-up nieces definitely called me out on that!

Sorry, not sorry. I missed my baby!

We flew back last evening and I got home about 12:30 a.m. I took today off to do laundry and recover (and golf, of course). I've learned you need a vacation or at least one vacation day after a vacation!

I look forward to sharing the beauty (and unique sights) of North Carolina and eastern Tennessee! Have a great week!

Alaska Day 10 :: Sisters R Home

As of midnight last night, the sisters going wild were done and home – with all three of our t-shirts in the laundry soon after. Thanks again to my friend Cindy for helping me create these. They were a conversation starter more than once – and helped us keep track of each other when we got distracted by moose, pretty mountains or overpriced souvenirs.

I was slightly worried about my shirts – and suitcase actually – getting home. In our first night on the trip, I tried to pull up my very heavy suitcase onto a step so I could carry it to the third floor of our hotel. Nope, no elevatory. And nope, said my suitcase.

R-r-r-rip! The handle that helps you wheel it through the airport broke. Like came straight out with the plastic holding it in place breaking, leaving sharp shards of plastic inside the lining. It has survived so many miles and looked the part. Hubby said to trash it and get a new one. I was tempted. That gaping hole wouldn't make it through airport security too easily. But then I had an idea...

Duct tape to the rescue! Rather than buying a new suitcase at Walmart, I knew where their decorative duct tape was sold, so I spend $4 on that instead and fixed up the hole. No would suspect anything untoward in rainbows and unicorns suitcase! And no one would steal it either. So we were off!

First, we had to say goodbye to Ed.

Thanks for the 1,186.7 miles of memories, Ed!

It was time to exit the Last Frontier.

I had hoped to sleep on the plane, but there were little ones who didn't want to sleep during the 4 hours and 35-minute flight. Dang. Was grateful my niece Caryn picked us up at the airport, took me to my car at the hotel from the previous week (seems like months ago) and I could hit the road to Rapids by 8:30.

No offense to Ed, but little Black Betty Deux was so much easier to handle. Still, by habit, I was saying, "Help me watch for deer, Ed!" I did see more deer between Minneapolis and Rapids than I saw of any other wildlife in Alaska!

Was grateful to arrive home safely at the stroke of 12 and fall into my heated bed (thanks, honey) for a good night's sleep after an amazing, amazing, amazing, not enough amazings, vacation! And grateful I had a deep-tissue massage scheduled for today. 

Traveling isn't just rough on old luggage, folks!

The Dragged Out Dozen

In case you were wondering what's occupying my time these days – I mean besides spring sports (basically wrapped up) and work – it's looking at pictures like the one above and obsessively counting down to my trip to Alaska.

12 days, 10 hours, 26 minutes and 43 seconds. In case you were wondering. 

So yep, seeing gorgeous "midnight sunsets" and mountains and lakes and getting excited. Oh Nell is just as excited. We just don't want to rush time now or the fates will be against us and rush our vacation. which by the way, is nicely organized and designed for our easy reference...

Because I have this compulsion for making more work for myself or something. But really, in case it is the last frontier, where cellular service is spotty (which we've heard), then we better go old school with a few things. Don't worry. We'll be armed with The Milepost – a must-have Alaskan map and guide book of sorts.

So that's it. Nothing new here. Just thinking and making lists and packing piles and patiently (not really) waiting for the next dozen days to drag by! 

Oooh. We're down to 12 days, 10 hours and 20 minutes now! Time's flying!