Getting Cold... But We're Still Hiking

The weather has been turning steadily colder. As I write this it's 26 degrees outside with a "RealFeel" of 24, plus winds of 8-10 mph! But it really is fun to step outside into the brisk air and feel like the seasons actually do change around here. It's taking a little getting used to the sun coming up around 7:00 and going down around 5:00 though. That makes for a pretty short day.

Well, this past weekend we didn't hike anywhere because I was studying for my CPA exam the whole time, but the previous two weekends we did, so I wanted to post some of the pictures. While the pictures aren't incredible or anything, we did find some of the best views we've ever seen of the area out around Craggy Gardens and Craggy Gardens Pinnacle. That's the first place where we've been where you truly get that "on top of the world" feeling. The pictures just don't do it justice, because you really could see a 360 degree panoramic view of the Appalachians. We even had a nice view of Mt. Mitchell off to the North. Enjoy!

Craggy Gardens Pinnacle Hike

Max Patch Hiking

Winter Wonderland... in October?!

Well, we got our first snow of the season! And, incredibly enough, it's still October. There wasn't much in town (Asheville), but it snowed a fair deal in Swannanoa and Leicester/Marshall (surrounding areas). I had a chance to drive through some of it, so I decided to put some of the video & images here on the blog.

It really did a number to get us to thinking about the changes of seasons. It was a treasure to enjoy such an early snowfall; we're now officially dreaming of a white Christmas. =)

Winter in October

Fall is in the Air in Asheville!

It's that time of the year when the most pressing concerns are going to the nearest Starbucks to get a Pumpkin Spice Latte and celebrating the changing of the seasons. And this year is no exception!

We've been all the more ecstatic because we live in such a beautiful place where we can enjoy actual "seasons" besides the nine months of hot and three months of in between like I'm accustomed to back in Texas. Don't misunderstand--I like Texas and all, but I've never lived in a place where I can truly enjoy the fall as much as I enjoy it here.





We've been really trying to take advantage of the season, enjoying hikes through forests of sunny yellow, fiery orange, and rich scarlet. The days have been surprising us with their early morning briskness--it isn't uncommon to wake up in the low 30's with our gas heater having kicked on automatically.

There's just something about the cool, crisp mornings--when your coffee serves as much to warm you up as wake you up--that gives this season an extra measure of "like" in my book. I will confess readily that I've always wanted to live in a place that genuinely had a fall season. I remember too well my elementary classrooms being decorated in the colors of the season whilst I walked outside to pine straw and 80 degree temperatures. Even when the leaves did finally change in late December, it was from green straight to brown, with little in between.

But here we are! I feel as though we've "arrived" in the sense that we live in a place that seems to be a little piece of heaven on earth. Now... if only I could find a half-price winter jacket. Something tells me I'm going to need it...

Mushroom Identification in Montreat

Camping with Chris and Nina Oxner

Back Home - Gardening

Third Year Anniversary!

Can you believe it's already been three years? I know I can't. We haven't really slowed down a bit, but getting away for a week gave us ample time to relax and do very little--which was just what we needed.

We really enjoyed how much time there was to lounge on the beach, piña coladas in one hand and a good book in the other. Actually, three to be exact. We each managed three good enjoyment books whilst swimming away our excess energy. Oh, and lots of walking the mile long beach hand in hand. We couldn't get over how clear the water was the whole time we were there. It really was fantastic.

They had a fun barbecue night one of the nights with all the dining tables set up in the pool area complete with tiki torches and a steel drum band. That really summarized the mood of the Caribbean, even though it was probably just a tourist ploy. The locals probably don't play the steel drums all that much because tere's just too much ganja to smoke and not enough time for both... wait, unless you did them at the same time.

Anyway, we really had a blast and ate a ton of food and tried not to get into any mischief, which wasn't too hard on an island that's smaller than most state parks (it's only about 7 miles wide). Enjoy the pictures

Third Year Anniversary

We've Had a Busy Summer!

We're really not going to be able to detail all of our adventures so far this summer, but the most obvious reason is because we moved to Asheville, NC. This is home to the beautiful smoky mountains, the Biltmore Estate, and a whole lot of cool.

We're really enjoying our first summer here full-time. We had a lot of motivation for moving, including job opportunities lining up for the both of us. It's a smaller market, which presents challenges of its own, but as far as places to live go, it's consistently ranked in the top ten in the nation.

Our first official visitor was Daniel, so that was good to have family come and stay with us. We actually met up at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to go hiking, which was, of course, lovely. We also met Daniel's gf, Brooke. She seemed great, and we really enjoyed the family. Pictures of the hiking and of Daniel at our house are below:

Around the New House

Hiking with Daniel and Brooke

We also then had Sarah & Tyler come stay for the fourth of July weekend, but not before Megan and I snuck off to Montreat to enjoy their 4th of July celebrations. It was extremely small town but really fun.

Fourth of July at Montreat

Once Sarah & Tyler arrived, we picked blueberries and took them hiking up Looking Glass peak. That's always a stunning view, but the 6.2 mile hike can actually be quite tiresome!

Fourth of July with Sarah & Tyler

Hiking with Sara & Tyler

Last but not least, my good old friend Chris Shute came on down from Kentucky and hung out with us. It's been very nice having so many people to come support us being here in a new town. Adios!

Hanging out with Chris

Vacation in the Virginia Mountains (and DC)

Well, after the busy season let up we finally made our way to the mountains of Virginia to get some R&R. We enjoyed the scenery in the area quite a bit--very remote and quiet. The resort we actually stayed at (Massanutten) was very large: about 500+ acres. We were also very pleased with the room, which had a spacious bathroom with a jacuzzi tub all to ourselves. Other than relax, read, and watch season three of The Office on DVD, we enjoyed fun little arts & crafts there at the resort, sunsets over the mountains, and a lovely tour of a local winery where we got to see the whole wine making process from grape to glass. We also drove some along the skyline drive in Shenandoah National Park and enjoyed a hike to a waterfall there, rode horseback along a mountain trail, and saw Prince Caspian.

Spring 2008 Vacation at Massanutten

But the biggest highlight was probably our day trip to Washington DC. It didn't even really occur to us when we went that it was the week before Memorial Day, which just happened to make it even more appropriate.

We only had a day to do it all, but we parked at Arlington National Cemetery and basically walked the entire mall (at least to the Capitol building). We saw the fields and fields of soldiers buried in service for our country, as well as the changing of the guards. Needless to say, those were very somber and very touching. We reflected on the reflecting pool and declared ourselves independent from the tyranny of Obama, I mean, uh, the British. The White House was a let down, since Bush didn't come out and recognize us as avid supporters and fans. Also, we were upset that Ann Coulter didn't cordially invite us over for some tea and chit-chat. Nevertheless, we had a great time.

DC in a Day

Quick Trip to Vegas

It was only two quick days, but it was nice to travel for work and for once be able to bring Megan with me. It made all the difference being able to spend evenings with her while I was in Vegas. We saw almost all the major hotels on the strip, and I worked hard during the daytime. We didn't get a lot of photos, mainly because we were there only two days, but it's a tough city to photograph anyway.

Viva Las Vegas

Winter Vacation 2008 - Sapporo, Japan

We had a great two weeks off in Japan, enjoying some rest away from normal life. We got to eat all of our favorite foods and see some of the places that we love there. We went skiing at Josankei, and I lost a ski in the woods and had to ski down on one ski. It certainly wasn't very easy, but it made the ski trip very memorable. We also got to see the ski jumpers who jump off of the ramps and try to get maximum distance. The second place person was a seventh grade girl, which was really remarkable. Those people go so incredibly fast; I never realized it from television.

We also cross-country skied at taki no koen, visited the glass pyramid at morenuma koen, had pizza and a movie night, and visited some great onsens (I love the rotemburo in the winter!). We also had the chance to relax with family and be taken care of, which is a great break from life. I read Carl Sewell's great classic "Customers for Life" and tried to brace myself mentally for busy season.

Cheers to 2008!

Winter Vacation in Japan - January 2008