Visiting the Biltmore Estate was a real treat. A headset walking tour brings it all to life and is highly recommended. The things that were included in this house for that time period were amazing. We took pictures but have been unable to find them on our camera or computer so I guess we chalk this up to "senior moment."
Next we took a 44 mile train ride thru the Smokies. The scenery was beautiful although too early for the fall colors. Riding the train put Barb back in her childhood - very pleasant memories of traveling to North Carolina from "Yankee country" in the summer.
On our stop at a nature center we were able to 'officially' say that we walked on the Appalachian Trail. Another first and a check mark on our 'to do' list.
On our stop at a nature center we were able to 'officially' say that we walked on the Appalachian Trail. Another first and a check mark on our 'to do' list.
From Asheville we stopped overnight in Boone, North Carolina on our way to Beth and John's cabin in Fancy Gap, Virginia. We spent a weekend with the Lossings and had a fun weekend visiting the Mabry Mill and playing with the grandchildren. We even had a movie night in the RV and the kids loved laying in the bed, watching the movie and eating popcorn.
Another fun thing to do for Bill, John and Beth is to target practice with the black powder rifle. Barb and the kids watch from the porch.
Jonathan is still improving from his heart surgery and has started school on a half day schedule. He loves learning and is like a sponge soaking up all the knowledge he can. Mia and Sophie are loving preschool and doing well.
From Virginia we traveled back to Waverly to check in on Dad and Ruth. Dad is doing well but is still in rehab at the convalescent center. He is progressing with the walker and his hip is mending well. The surgeon has said he will probably be there for another 4-6 weeks but the therapist says he is doing great and thinks he may go home before that. Hopefully the therapist is correct as it is difficult on dad and hard on Ruth going back and forth everyday. We stayed in Waverly a week and helped out where we could.
We had dinner with Matt in Columbus. He is loving his new job with Enterprise Truck and looking forward to moving into a new apartment.
From Waverly we stopped in Louisville to see Tricia, Rick and the Kentucky grandkids. It had been much too long since we had seen them. All are doing well - Julie is doing awesome in kindergarten (she is already learning to read), RR is happy in preschool (not quite as interested in doing letters and sounds) and Ranger is just totally cute (he has figured out he needs to be loud to be noticed). Tricia is still happy to be teaching but feels totally overloaded with administrative demands. Rick is happy that it is football season but is also working hard and doing well. He and Bill enjoyed a game of golf (Bill's third game of season).
From there we headed to St Louis on our way to Branson, Missouri. The St Louis Arch was worth the trip and more impressive than expected. The picture was taken from our campground.
Here we are a the top of the arch (630 feet up).
We toured the Anheuser-Busch factory which was interesting (seeing the offficial Clydesdales was the highlight) - the facility was impressive with a lot of history. The stable for the Clyd
esdales actually had this chandelier in the center (talk about the Hilton for horses)
esdales actually had this chandelier in the center (talk about the Hilton for horses)Grant's Farm, an Anheuser-Busch animal preserve and retreat is the home of over 1000 exotic animals from six continents and was a pleasant surprise. We wished we had had all of our grandchildren with us on this trip - close up to many animals and two great shows about animals.
Grant's Farm is also where the new Clydesdales are born, kept and trained. It was a special opportunity to see and pet the Clydesda
les. Here is Barb with a 'lil' one. ......... and here's a 'big un'.
We even had our picture taken with one (available for viewing on request)!!
Next to the preserve is the Ulysses Grant homestead and that was a very interesting stop.
We are now in Branson, the non-gambling Vegas type entertainment center in the Ozarks.
We are loving going to shows and enjoying the beauty of the mountains once again. So far we have seen Spirit of the Dance (Irish dancing), The Haygoods (a family of seven, very talented brothers and one sister), Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede, and Twelve Irish Tenors. We are still planning to see Broadway, Silver Dollar City, Hits of the 60's, and the Oak Ridge Boys. A fun place for sure!!! We also had a chance sighting of Mel Tillis in the American Bandstand Grill!
From here we will head back north to Columbus to help Matt in his apartment move. (When do parents get to quit doing the moving thing?)
Until next time.........
