So, things were very hectic this summer.  It just worked out that I did not get a trip to the beach (Still a little sad over this) Nor did Jearmy or Starla.  So we decided it was time for a weekend road trip!  So, last Friday John and I both left work at lunch, picked the kids up and hit the road!  We drove up through KY and enjoyed the crazy, beautiful fall colors.  BEAUTIFUL!  We arrived at our hotel in plenty of time for dinner so we checked in and headed off to explore a little and find dinner.  We walked below Newport on the Levee and along theOhio River until we picked a place to eat.  Saturday morning we got up early, had breakfast overlooking the Ohio River and the headed out to the zoo.  It was such a gorgeous day for the zoo!  After wearing ourselves out there we decided to have dinner at this little place I came across on the internet.  It was called Maury's Tiny Cove. What an absolute hidden treasure they have there.(Founded in 1949, Maury's is one of the oldest, continuously operated restaurants in Cincinnati ) WOW.....what a find!  I mean a Filet &Chicken Combo for just $24 and it was excellent.  Everyone got bread baked in their own little bowls, (Starla loved that) and the service was great.  We'll go back next time we are in the area for sure. (LOTS More photos to be posted on FB soon!)

Sunday morning we got up early and had breakfast again overlooking the Ohio River and watching all of the rowers doing their morning training.  We took off for a little sight seeing, exploring a little of downtown and then on to the Levee where we took a ride on the Ducks.  For those unfamiliar they are WWII Amphibious Vehicles.  They drive you around and then straight into the water where they convert to a boat and then you finish your touch back on land and wheels as you started.  Neat to do if you haven't done before.  I rode them in Branson, MO back in 96.  It gives you a different look at things getting a touch on land and water while learning along the way.  After the Duck tour we headed down to Hooters on the River for lunch and then back down town for a little more exploring.  We checked out the Carew Tower.   Completed in 1930 and standing 49 stories high we took 2 different elevators and a flight of stairs to get to the observation deck.  The views are insane, you can see everything!  We then made our way down and strolled through Tiffany's & Co.  (why not? it was right there! LOL) and then on to Fountain Square where we made a stop at Graeter's Ice Cream (founded in 1870 and loved by Oprah) I am telling you I have never been an ice cream person but good lord, if I lived there I would be HUGE!  The mango ice cream was the most amazing ice cream I have ever had!  LOVE LOVE!  After that we took off to find the Holy Cross-Immaculata Parish.  It is a small church but one with a lot of history.  It was considered to be a beacon/watch tower for this in the underground railroad.  It is also the church that hold the splinter from THE cross.   Once we made our stop there it was back to the interstate.  I guess we dropped the kids in their driveway a little after 10:30 on Sunday night.  We had one very packed but very good weekend!  Road Trips are always great!

(not my photo)

“The world is a book 

and those who do not travel 

read only one page.”

~ St. Augustine

Ok, ok.....I must admit.  My update skills are continuing to lag.  Things have stayed a bit busy though.  A lot of out and about as always.  Snapping away and keeping up my snapshot blog, at least I have done well not to miss a day so far on that one!  LOL  Full time work has not changed much.  I think we would all like to see some improvements but on the upside we still have our heads above water.  Better than being completely under!  My business is still steady.  Two new clients the past few weeks so I am totally happy about that.  One is a new print client and one is a new website so a little variety is good too.  Oh yeah, and apparently one of our local magazines used some of my photos, and maybe a couple of John's on their cover for this month.  Of course I haven't seen it yet so I have no clue what it looks like.  Took the kids one evening and snapped a few pictures.  We'll have to get out and do more soon.  They said it looked great though, I will have to check it out when I get my copy!  I have still yet to "fully" clean my house but I am starting to get a little more caught up so at least that is a step in the right direction.  Took all the blankets and sheets to the laundry mat yesterday, ok a boring hour but man, sure was nice to have it all done at one time!  It would have taken me forever at my house.  Had lunch after that, went to the grocery store, picked up some movies and cooked dinner at the house.  It was just a "regular" Sunday.  Seems a bit odd since I am always on the go but every once in a while we need just a regular day to get regular stuff done.  Been trying to spend some more time with the kids so one weekend we took them to the Haunting at Ramsey Plantation (fundraiser), they enjoyed that and then we went to Chop House for dinner and of course they enjoyed that!  LOL  Last weekend we took the kids out for a FULL day.  Picked them up at 6:30am and dropped them at home at 7:45pm!  LONG day but we had so much fun.  We took them to Cades Cove, got out did a little walking and exploring.  We went into Gatlinburg and had lunch at Calhouns and then back on the road again.  From there we went to Cataloochee.  Hoping for them to see the Elk but in the heat they tend to hide.  We did see a couple though.  Saw a nice turkey and saw the Biggest bear I have ever seen outside of a zoo from 15'-20' away!  Yes, way too close to be considered safe viewing distance but we sure didn't approach her she was just there, with her 3 cute cubs!  It was Starla's first time seeing a bear outside of the zoo and she was able to get a picture too so that was pretty neat.  I must admit I was VERY excited, my goal for the day had been to get a picture of a BIG bear and I was so bummed when I left Cades Cove not seeing a single bear!  

I mean for the past couple months every time we have been to Cades Cove we have seen bears, a few weeks back one even jumped right in front of my car!  I was totally excited to see this BIG bear.  It made my day.....LOL    Ha ha ha I just love where I live.  I love that we have so much of beautiful mother nature for us to appreciate on any given day.  It is great!  Took off this past Saturday on the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail.  Not sure why we had never taken that one since we are out and about in the GSMNPs every weekend but none the less we hadn't.  It was nice, a lot of little trails around the cabins and and found a few trails/hikes to check out once the weather cools off a bit.  The heat and humidity have been AWFUL here.  I have a vacation coming up in a couple weeks, I will not be getting away from the heat and humidity at all but it sure will be nice to really get a way for a few days!  Off to the Everglades, Keys; off to see something new again.  Can't go wrong there.  Still doing good at the gym.  3-4 times a week since June 4th!  lol Ok well there is a bit of an update as scattered as it may sound.  I will post some pics as well.  Hope everyone has a great week!

The BIG Bear!  LOL

"I love to think of nature as 

an unlimited broadcasting station, 

through which God speaks to us every hour, 

if we will only tune in." 

  

~George Washington Carver