Have you ever been to.......

Edenton, NC. Let me begin by apologizing for the variety of sizes for the pictures. That is how they were saved in my pictures and I don't know how to adjust them without distorting them. OK now back to Edenton. What you see is an overhead view of the Trestle House Inn operated by a charming gentleman named Peter. It is a two story home with a "full" basement. I emphasize that because it actually comes out to where the parking lot is and that is where Peter resides. The home was built for a member of the Mafia and constructed with timbers from a train trestle shipped in from the west coast and the fireplace is constructed from stones the man gathered from various parts of the world. There is always activity out back to view many kinds of water fowl, turtles and a flock of white racing pigeons that live next door. A great place to spend a weekend and Peter is an awesome cook.

Maggie Valley, NC where Linda & I got married 7 years ago this June. To be here is to be at peace in the laid back setting filled with the friendliest people I have ever known. Great food at the Magie Valley Restaurant or awesome breakfasts at Joey's Pancake House. Just a quick run down the mountain to Cherokee and the big casino. No, I didn't go in there.

If you appreciate really "good" food then Shatley Springs located in Crumpler, NC is the place to be from April to Thanksgiving. Rich in history this area has been known for it's perpetual spring that Mr. Shatley happened on so long ago. He was suffering from a number of ailments and it was mid summer and he stopped to refresh himself and later felt better so he went back and literally bathed in the spring. Before long all his ailments were gone.

Even today there is a place on the left side of the restaurant that anyone can walk up to and fill jugs to carry home from the running spring water. While there they have this huge front porch with rocking chairs and a gazebo in front of the porch with usually a gospel group playing instruments and singing for their food. And the food comes to you on a cart loaded down with bowls of the best vegetables, fried chicken, ham, biscuits, red eye gravy (the good stuff), and if you can hold it the best dessert in the world.

This picture should be the largest and best since it is Lancaster, Pa. and my favorite place to be. I love everything there is about this area with the Amish, lush farmlands, horses, food and a peace I have not found anywhere else. I have a DVD of our first trip there and you can even hear the sound of the horses going by as we passed them. The farmers market in the small community of Bird-In-Hand has everything from fresh meat to the finest crafts.

A 15 to 20 minute drive from Lancaster brings you to the unique town of Intercourse, Pa. Linda & I alway have to make a stop there at the Intercourse Canning Co. and get a case of assorted canned vegetable to carry home. Love their pickled baby beets.

Gatlinburg, Tn is where Linda & I went on our honeymoon. This is a lovely town with an emphasis on Ripley. You can visit the Ripley Aquariam which is huge and has this glass tunnel you walk through with sharks and other big fish swimming all around you. Down town you would also find the Ripley Museum which was fun as well. There is chair lift that takes you to to top of a nearby mountain with shops to browse in at the top. There are trolleys to take you anywhere you desire.

A short drive or the trolley will have you in Pigeon Forge, home of Dollywood, endless shops to browse and great restaurants.

Last but certainly not least is White Lake, NC about 3 hours south of my home and one of the most beautiful areas in NC. Some of the most gorgious sunsets I have ever seen were here. The water is "crystal" clear and you can see your feet when the water is up to your chest. There is one small grocery store, a couple of gift shops and a couple of restaurants so it is not cluttered with too many retail places. It is so peaceful to go out on the piers that a lot of rental places have and just sit and feel the breeze, see ducks flying through and let your worries vanish for at least a while.