Ridgecrest, NC

Bill and I

went to Ridgecrest, NC last weekend for a national library conference.  There were a range of classes offered from beginning a library and all that includes with selecting and processing books to advanced classes in our library software.

We stayed in Mountain Laurel.  The room rates are extremely reasonable.  This is only the right half of the building.  Please notice all the stairs.  The beautiful campus is on a steep mountain so you are constantly on stairs or inclines unless you choose to take the elevators in the buildings.  We did both.

 

In the middle of the building is a covered walkway to one of the buildings where we had classes.  Look at the stone columns.  I really liked that architectural feature.

 

Here is a view of the beautiful bridge to the building.  Notice the different levels.  Many of the buildings were like that.  I'm glad Bill had a great sense of direction because I never knew if I was on the Concourse or Level 1.

 

Look how clean this is.  We had a lot of wind and still there was no debris anywhere.

 

This porch was on the left of the covered entrance.  As you can see, we were blessed with BEAUTIFUL weather.

 One interesting thing about Ridgecrest Conference Center was the number of volunteers we saw working.  They were all ages.  Some friends from our church did this last summer and enjoyed it a lot.  The woman ended up in housekeeping.  She said she changed a LOT of beds.  I was impressed with the restocking of clean towels - - - - better than a hotel.  If you might be interested, here is the link for volunteer opportunities. 

This weekend, we are home and even though we have had two terrific weekends out of town, we are happy NOT to be riding in our car for any distance tomorrow or Sunday!

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.  Psalm 4:8

St. Patrick

If you follow our church's library blog, you have already seen this.  If not, I want to give you a link to the real story of one of my Christian heroes.  St. Patrick's day is not about getting drunk on green beer or just eating corned beef and cabbage -- - - which we did on Saturday because we love it - - plus it's what my daughter requested when she came to visit after one of her certification tests for teaching.

St. Patrick's day is about being obedient to the call of Christ on your life and honoring one who was.  So here's hoping you have a great green day on Thursday!

http://libraryfbc.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-was-st-patrick.html

And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hathforgiven you.  Ephesians 4:32

A week’s difference

 

Returning from Lake Lure last weekend, we drove through heavy rain AND even snow for about 20 miles beginning at Maggie Valley.  With all the rain we had, the streams and rivers were rising and rapid.  We probably saw over 3 dozen waterfalls and run-offs pouring down the mountains.

 

About Galinburg, we left the pure, untouched mountain views to the commercialism of the tourist area.  I love having the choice of both.  We enjoyed lunch in the Pigeon Forge area with a quick stop at Five Oaks Tanger Outlet.

  Bill had never visited a Bass Pro Shop but we remedied that at Exit 407 before more interstate driving.  (All the above pictures are from inside the store and the man climbing the wall is a mannequin.)

 

This weekend’s weather has been beautiful springtime temperatures and as you can see, there are quite a few things in bloom. 

Forsythia

 

Daffodils

 

Hyacinths

 

Bradford Pear Trees - - - unbelievably gorgeous in the spring and fall.  When they line both sides of a highway, it looks like someone has decorated for a wedding.  However, the flowers don’t last very long and they STINK when in bloom.  But they are still a feast for the eyes.

 

Enjoy your week!

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come..... Song of Solomon 2:12a

Best Time of My Life

 

As you have noticed, I generally only blog about once a week - - - on the weekend.  When I miss a week, we were possibly out of town - - - which was the case last weekend.  We were honored to be guests at the wedding celebration of the daughter of a dear friend.  It was held at Lake Lure in Chimney Rock, NC. 

You are thinking that might sound like a familiar place.  For movie lovers, it’s the area where the movie, “Dirty Dancing” was filmed. 

 

 

 It’s easy to get there - - - interstate all the way except the last 15 miles of “S” curve roads.    Elevation climbs from 980 feet in our city of Cleveland, TN to 2,280 feet in Chimney Rock.    Make sure to be chomping on chewing gum because your ears will, pop, pop, pop!!!

 

  

Even though the weather was rainy with fog, it was a beautiful drive and we had a great time with friends.  I got only a few pictures because as much as I love you, standing in the rain with my camera was not high on my list of things to do.  (The above pictures were taken from inside the car with the window down or from our hotel room.)

 

There was a wedding . . .  John 2:1