Trip South

Back in September, we had planned a trip to GA to visit family for a few days and then, on the drive home, to stop in Asheville for a few days and see the Chihuly Glass Exhibit at Biltmore Estate. Unfortunately, a hurricane had other ideas and we had to cancel our trip. We rescheduled for the first week of November. Sadly, the Chihuly exhibit ended in early October, so we were unable to see it. But Biltmore Estate was decked out for the holidays so that was nice and got us in the holiday spirit.

The enormous tree in the Banquet Hall. All the trees were gorgeous. My favorite was this one:

In addition to spending a day at Biltmore, we spent an afternoon in the River Arts District. I could have spent a lot of money there! We also spent a day walking the Urban Walking Trail. And we ate. A lot. I certainly got my fill of fried green tomatoes and pimiento cheese.

It was a very relaxed vacation for us. Lots of sleeping in late, leaving the hotel in time to eat lunch, spending the afternoon doing something, returning for a quick break to the hotel, then heading out for dinner. A different kind of vacation from the ones where we are up & out early being tourists. This trip was so nice and relaxing. Also a little colder and windier than I expected. Thank goodness I took a scarf and my earmuffs!

Before Asheville, we went to GA to visit my brother and his family. They live in the North Georgia mountains. That was also very relaxing. Our first night we met them for dinner and it was so good to catch up.

Saturday we went to a middle school wrestling match! Our nephew wrestles. We know nothing about wrestling. His parents tried to explain it and I started to understand a bit but my goodness when they throw each other around, well, it looks painful. Nephew is a pretty darn good wrestler and had a good day. We got to see 3 of his 5 matches that day.

Two of the three dogs. The oldest was happy to nap in a bedroom. These 2 wanted all the attention.

That night we hung out at their house up in the mountains. They have 2 dogs and our niece, who is a sophomore in college, recently got a dog, so there were 3 dogs looking for attention (and food treats). We're so happy niece was able to go home for the weekend so we could visit with her.

Pile of grilled veggies. There were pork chops, too, just not pictured

Sunday we walked around the town, had lunch, and spent the rest of the day hanging out at the house in the mountains. Niece headed back to college and the rest of us played board games before my brother grilled dinner.

And then it was time to head to the hotel and on to NC.