Monday, November 3, 2008

Pictures from Paradise


I had a great getaway to my writer/editor friend Kathryn's mountain home in North Carolina. {More about this whacky gal who's writing a new story-which-may-become-a-novel right to her blog --> http://kathrynmagendie.spaces.live.com/blog/ }

Not having flown for many years (did I mention I despise flying and am afraid of heights?), I had to psyche myself up just to board the plane. Warning to the wise: Do not ever route yourself through the Newark airport. I had to transfer between concourses via two buses, a taxi, rickshaw and a small motorboat, and barely made my connection. Well, the two buses part is true. Asking the driver of bus #1 where the taxi or boat was I was supposed to catch next, he replied without a single trace of humor, "Yew git off heeuh, go numbuh 39 now!"

But back to the flight -- here is my scrumptious lunch, my choice of view of "seatmate" or over the wing approaching Newark, after I finally got enough nerve up to open the window shade and look:













































Can I tell ya, I was one big fat happy camper when I finally touched solid ground again? Here are some of the "better memories" from my trip:








Are these gorgeous, or what? Wish I was there right now, sipping Deep Creek Blend coffee with my friend, but it sure is nice strolling down a beautiful autumn memory lane through photographs.

25 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

Yes they are Gorgeous picture!!!Loved them! And yes I went through Newark once--never again. I though you both lived in the south? Did you go by Jetblue up and down?
Hate flying too but we must do it. Surprised you even got food on an airline today--few I fly even give water!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Terri, thanks, and no, Kathryn lives up in NC and I'm in LA. Not sure which connecting kind of plane it was...maybe Continental Express, which coulda been Jet Blue for all I know. Tried not to think about it much. :) I was kinda surprised by the "meal" too...even though the wee sammich had one piece of mystery meat and lettuce the size of my pinky. LOL

Kathryn Magendie said...

They gave you the meal FOR FREE....OMG!! I flew American Airlines all the way to Portland, of course with a stop over in Dallas of hours and didn't even get a "snack" bag of pretzels! We were told we had to pay for any snacks we had! They did give me some water though....sheesh!!!!

YOU GOT A MEAL and a CANDY BAR for FREE - okay, I had to write that again.....

Miss ya friend, just drank two cups of DCB - haw! tole ya it was gooooood coffee -- I aim to convert the world to Deep Creek Blend *laugh*

Lori said...

Ah, Newark - where luggage is "lost" and the people are as warm as electrified fences. I hate that freakin' airport. Thank God the local airport now has international flights nonstop.

I LOVE North Carolina's mountains! We stayed at a beautiful B&B in a place called Val Cruces, which was a log home with a view quite similar to what you've posted.

Glad you had a lovely time, doll! Great place to unwind.

Lori said...

And about those flights - we once had to go through Atlanta to get to Cincinnati. From Philadelphia. I will never understand this system, but we paid a whole $67 each, so I can't complain too much.

Anonymous said...

Wow! Love the pics. Looks like you had an amazing time.

Anonymous said...

Angie, beautiful pics. I flew from Alabama out of Birmingham to New Orleans twice. The first time (first time on a plane) my husband (at the time) prayed all the way. Then we were lucky enough to have a co-pilot land the plane. The first plane he had ever landed mind you. My butt hurt for hours.

Looking at the pictures it seems the flight and all the transportation swaps were worth it.

Angie Ledbetter said...

LOL, Kathryn, and on the return flight, we got peanuts. I thought those had been banned years ago for those who have nut allergies! Drinking DCB right now. *clink*

Lori, I think your summation of that place should be their official logo. :) Maybe the cheaper the flight, the more outposts you have to go thru? Hugs back

Janine, I truly did. The pictures only capture part of the magic.

Ang, you're so right about it being worth it. Don't know how many more years it'll take to work up the nerve to fly again...but there's always road travel and AmTrak available. hehe

Shammickite said...

Y'know... I just left a long comment but it disappeared.
Great pics of fall colours. Also I had to giggle at the pic of your sleeping seatmate, hope he reads your blog.

Barrie said...

I could definitely use a writing getaway in a locale like that.

Kathryn Magendie said...

hey, and the colors are still blazing in parts! I went yesterday to get my prescription - of course I was in my SOCKS and my hair stuck on end and baggy-ass pants I never wear in public, because I was going thru the drivethru--well, I pulled up to the drivethru and waiting, nothing - so I looked and noticed the button for "call" - so I pushed it with my sunglasses (it was too far away)...waiting waiting...nothing

finally, I looked up - HAW! A sign clearly read, "Drive Through Closed" ooooops

I had to park and go inside in my socked-feet and baggy ass pants and big huge ugly fleece thing and fonky hair -- HAW!


anyway, I was saying and forgot I was saying - there are maple trees BURNING BRIGHT Red along Russ Avenue -- so beautiful...I've never seen the color stick around this long - we need rain - the rain and wind usually knocks some off...
okay, this is a book. and the damn "word verif" is a LONNNG ONEEE

Angie Ledbetter said...

Shamm, it was the weirdest thing. My seatmate fell asleep before we even took off, and never woke up till we landed. Didn't even get his free lunch or drink! Guess he was really tired. I refrained from dabbing the drool off his cheek, though. :)

Barrie, can't recommend it highly enough. Hope you get one soon!

LOL, Kat! Glad the drugstore didn't have a "No shoes, no service" sign posted...or we the only ones who need those??

Barb Davis said...

I HATE flying, too. When I'm up in the air, I wonder, "What in the world was I thinking!"

The photos are absolutely gorgeous...good job!!

Melissa Amateis said...

Oh wow. Those are beautiful shots! It definitely looks like a paradise.

On my flight to London, I had wonderful meals, but not so much on the way back. Wonder why?

Michelle O'Neil said...

Gorgeous photos! Glad you had a nice trip.

Anonymous said...

Told you it was great. It has been 5 years since we made it to Ashville, Brevard. My wife misses it a lot.
See ya,
Oren

Angie Ledbetter said...

Barbara, I'm thinking, "Please, please let me get down from here safely! Only birds are meant to fly!" :)

Melissa, it was a slice of paradise. Don't know why you didn't get food on the trip home...maybe ya got it on the way there so you wouldn't bad mouth American airlines to the Brits?

Oren, you were right. But you always are. :)

Anonymous said...

Angie,
Don't say that. I will get roasted by PW. See ya.
Oren

Janna Leadbetter said...

Yes, gorgeous! Thanks for sharing these amazing pictures. And I'm so glad you had a great time. We all need trips like that once in awhile.

Anonymous said...

Angie had to stop by from colby's blog and steal a peek. WoW!! Wow, beautiful pictures and so glad you got to go!!

Anonymous said...

Angie, I came to your site from your comments on Keep Believin'. First of all I am sorry for the pain you are experiencing right now. I was touched by the comment you made to help that wonderful family. Also, I have looked at your blogs and you are amazing. I love them all for different reasons. I will certainly come back to visit. You are welcome to my blog anytime! Look forward to reading your future writings.

colbymarshall said...

Beautiful pics!

Angie Ledbetter said...

Michelle O, thank you! It was a dream come true.

LOL, sowwy, Oren.

Janna, you're 100% right. I hope you get one soon, especially with all the house work projects going on.

kimmirich, thanks, and thanks for stopping in. I enjoy your bloggy too.

AVT, Wow, I'm blushing. Thank you so much! (Going to your blog next.)

Thanks, Colb.

Anonymous said...

Amused by your travelogue... amazed by the gorgeous mountain scenery. Great photos! ~Deb

Angie Ledbetter said...

Thank you, Deb. In that gorgeous land, it's hard to take a bad photo.

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