Date: 2008-11-28
From: HOME

To: Blowing Rock,NC
Miles today: 0.0

Fri.Nov.28 2008 (DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING)Today we ("D-bird & I)head to North Carolina for our annual week of vacation with friends Terry ("TeePee") & Sharon Price.We co-own a week timeshare @ Chetola Manor in Blowing Rock,NC & travel there each year for some "get-away time".The trip takes about 7 hours from Springfield.We check in abt 4pm after stopping for some firewood (our condo has a wood burning fireplace!)John Price (Terry & Sharon's son) & his girlfriend Courtney are also joining us for the weekend.We un-load our bags in the condo...head thru the small little hamlet...that is Blowing Rock...& find a parking lot...then walk to the Park...where they hold the "LIGHTING OF THE TOWN" ceremonies....complete with decorated Christmas Tree, hot chocolate & the "Vagabonds" (2 guys that do their darnedest to sing Christmas Carols...)..a tradition.It's cold...wind is blowing...We're tired...we head back to the condo after an hour or so...We're home (@ least it feels like it here in the mtns).Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Condo Sweeeeet Condo...We'll head to our favorite COFFEE SHOP in the morning for a pound of KOJAYS best.Good nite!Sat.Nov 29, 2008 (Day#2)We all jump in our car & make the short drive to downtown Blowing Rock & walk up & down the streets & check out the shoppes. We also stopped by KOJAY's...our favorite COFFEE shop...for a DOUBLE Blowing Rocket & a pound of coffee for the condo..(to get our morning started right!)We then visit KILWIN's...our favorite ICE CREAM shop...(the BEST Ice Cream IN THE WORLD!)Sun.Nov 30,2008 (Day#3)We head over to Banner Elk today & up Beech Mtn to Freds (old style general merchandise store). I love browsing these old timey stores...We then eat lunch in Fred's downstairs lunch bar...of course, we order sandwich & Fred's CHILI....yummmmmmmmmmy! (not hot enuff fer me...but there's always HOT SAUCE to be added!)The rest of the day we visit the Mast General Store & shop!Mon. Dec 1,2008 (Day#4)We visit Boone today...during some light SNOW flurries...we hit the MAST General Stores here...& several ART galleries.John & Courtney left us y'day & headed back to Knoxville.We head back to Valle Crucis & hit the Mast Stores again...get a few stocking stuffers here....Tues. Dec 2,2008 (Day#5)We hit the Blowing Rock shoppes again today. The Prices head home today (Sharon is a teacher & has to get back to school) We then have lunch over in Banner Elk @ a little Mexican restuarant...before the Prices leave we drop by a Mom & Pop Christmas Tree Farm & choose our Christmas trees...for pick up later (Thursday)before we head home.It's always a bit SAD when the Prices leave...dont get me wrong...Donna & I still have FUN while we're here...but, its adjusting from a FOUR-some to just us...Wed.Dec 3,2008 (Day#6)It's become a TRADITION for me & Donna to take a DAY-TRIP North to West Jefferson(NC) about an hour away to check out the ART galleries & crafts shoppes. We love this little town & the drive is BEAUTIFUL!We arrive abt 10am (when the shoppes open)...& start browsing.Last year...i "experienced" some CHER SHAFFER Folk art...AWESOME!I contacted her shortly after & have kept in contact with her & husband, Dennie. In fact, we've exchanged Art pieces.Cher invited us for lunch so, we meet them @ a local restuarant (Fraser's) for lunch, nice conversation & laffs...we then head out to the local Arts council gallery & then end the visit with a stop @ a COFFEE shop...ahhhhhhhh...i was in HEAVEN...surrounded by Art...good coffee, & talking ART with Donna, Dennie & Cher Shaffer...WOW! LIFE IS GREAT!Thur.Dec.4,2008 (Day#7)Donna & I visit Boone again today...Mast store & Art galleries...then hit a few Blowing Rock shoppes...our last full day..we eat dinner @ the former Tijuana Fats location...(forgot the NEW name)...menu features...sandwiches, soups,etc....not bad....but, nothing outstanding...Fri.Dec.5,2008 (Day#8)We pack up the car...& head home to Springfield!We pick up our Christmas Trees (& the Prices') on the way out of town....As usual...Excellent Trip!