Happy Thursday sweet friends. I hope your week is going well. It has been a week of rain in our Appalachian Foothills with very little sunshine. The weeds are growing in leaps and bounds, so you know where you can find me!
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Colossians 4:6
Long-time readers know that we love to travel. For the past seventeen years we have made many trips across the Atlantic and have traveled to many places right here in our beautiful country!
How has the pandemic affected your travel? Will you be traveling this year?
To view the original posts click on the highlighted links.
“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
-Unknown
Hiking in the mountains above Montana’s Bitterroot Valley offered stunning views! Montana is a favorite destination for Butch with more visits than he can count.
2020 was certainly different as far as travel was concerned. We usually travel somewhere to celebrate our February anniversary. Last year we were able to enjoy a trip to Old Edwards in Highlands, NC before the country was shut down. Our only other travel was three days at our favorite getaway, The Swag, located in the Smoky Mountains! Did you know that The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park? Yes, more than twelve million visitors in 2019.
We took a road trip in 2016 that covered a lot of miles. Our first stop was Boston for three days and then on to Martha’s Vineyard where this photos was taken.
Our current plan for travel this year is somewhere in our beautiful USA! But the “where” has not been decided.
The lower falls on the Yellowstone River as it makes its way through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The falls is over 300 feet high! Have you been to Yellowstone?
We love all of the national parks that we have visited. Butch read where the crowds at the parks have been very large this year. I am sure families are ready to travel again.
Several business trips to Savannah have given us the opportunity to enjoy the history and beauty of this southern city. I must mention that the food is always amazing!
Driving along Highway 101 on Oregon’s north coast offers a wonderful view of Haystack Rock located at Cannon Beach. It is a 235 foot sea stack and most impressive!
Newport, RI was our last stop on our 2016 road trip. Rosecliff was the most romantic of the mansions that we toured!
I am not desiring to fly this year. I have claustrophobia that has sometimes bothered me while flying. One bad memory was sitting on the tarmac for over two hours in Denver. There was something about just sitting there that made my claustrophobia kick in high gear. Needless to say, Butch had to calm me down. I just don’t think I can wear a mask on an airplane.
Washington’s Mount Rainier standing at 14,410 feet was still snow covered on the first day of summer 2016.
We have had the opportunity to visit Napa Valley a couple of times. One of my favorite memories was a hot air balloon ride at sunrise with a delicious breakfast served afterwards in a vineyard. We had reservations for a tour of this beautiful and historic Queen Anne estate( above photo), Nickel & Nickel.
During our 2016 road trip, we spent time on Nantucket. It rained most of the day, but we didn’t let it prevent us from seeing all the sites. The current Brant Point Lighthouse was built in 1901 and continues to operate as an aid to navigation.
With its signature orange color, the Golden Gate Bridge attracts more than ten million visitors each year!
A trip to Seattle would not be complete without visiting Pike Place Market!
Schwabacher’s Landing is a spot on the Snake River in Wyoming that offers stunning views of the Grand Tetons. Our trip to Wyoming remains one of our favorites. We were there in late September and early October with wonderful weather and fewer crowds than summertime.
Our favorite time to travel is September and October. More than likely, that is when we will try to travel this year. We have talked about a return trip to Wyoming or a first time trip to Utah!
Half-Mile Farm located in Highlands, NC is a luxury country inn by Old Edwards. A wonderful spot to celebrate our anniversary in 2018.
The breathtaking Pacific coastline from Monterey to San Simeon was a wonderful drive in a rented convertible. The Pacific Coast is vastly different from our Alabama Gulf Coast. If you have never visited our Alabama beaches, they are beautiful with sugar white sand and shimmering blue water. The seafood is also delicious.
Charleston, SC has topped the list of best cities in the U.S. by several travel magazines. Thirteen brightly colored homes make up Rainbow Row which is one of the most photographed spots!
The Maroon Bells near Aspen, CO are the most photographed peaks in all of North America! We hiked the trail head that is at 9,580 feet…the air was a little thin!
I purposely chose only places we have traveled in the U.S. to share in this post. Space and time would not permit me to share all of our trips, even if I could remember them. So many trips were taken before digital photography and iPhones. Over these past seventeen years, we have stepped foot on five continents and more than thirty eight countries. As much as we have enjoyed all of these places, the U.S remains the most beautiful place we have seen! There are a few states to visit before we can say we have visited all fifty. I would love to hear about any travel plans you have or any suggestions you have for us. This could be an awesome opportunity for you to share your travel experiences so that we might all learn more. Please feel free to share.
Thank you for your visit! Wishing you a joy-filled day!
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
So much beautiful scenery you have captured in your travels Pam! I am a white knuckle flyer and neither one of us is a fan of being crammed in a 3 row seat on a plane so we tend to stay close to home and travel by car. Just a few long weekend trips for us to the NC mountains and a return trip to Charleston which a favorite destination as it’s only 3 hours by car and we can walk everywhere once we arrive. Would love to visit Wyoming and Colorado one day. Happy Thursday ♥
Mary, the NC mountains are always a perfect getaway. I know your love of Charleston, it is a favorite destination of mine. I highly recommend anywhere in the Rockies!
Good Morning Pam!
Beautiful captures of our beautiful country! I enjoyed each one!
We enjoy traveling. However… we have decided to enjoy the summer here at the lake and will adventure around the tri-state area. (NY, PA,OH) And since we didn’t see that much family during the pandemic… we plan on visiting with everyone that’s close to here and family will be visiting us.
We actually have a trip planned to Europe in the spring of 2022. We shall see how that unfolds.
Enjoy your Thursday!
I know you enjoy travel. How exciting that you already have a trip planned to Europe next year. Where will you be traveling?
I had the travel bug anyway but after seeingthese beautiful photos…we are going camping wiht our kids and families for a weekend. Jim and I are headed to Atlanta later to see friends anf family and I will attend a conference. No flying this summer!
Camping is perfect for a weekend with family. We used to tent camp a lot when we were younger. Enjoy your summer!
Yes, we’ve been to Yellowstone, one of the best vacations ever. The wildlife was amazing. We are not flying anywhere this year. But will do some driving trips. Come to NC!!
Carole, you always have wonderful day trips to enjoy the gorgeous scenery in the NC mountains. We will take a few day trips to enjoy our beautiful state! Happy driving!!
I enjoyed the revisiting of the many places you have had the fortune to see. I too have visited all of this places except Highlands NC. Flying has never caused me concerns. I suppose it could be because my sweetheart is a pilot. I did not stop flying during the plandemic. I’m 79 years old and know for sure fear doesn’t come from out Heavenly Father. My favorite places to see are in the South. I think it’s because the people there are so kind.
Thank you Alice. I didn’t remember that your husband is a pilot. I totally agree that fear does not come from our Heavenly Father. There are so many beautiful places in the South with my home state of Alabama being one of them. You are a young 79 year old. Have a wonderful day dear one!
Pam, I always love reading all about your traveling adventures. Your photographs are gorgeous! We recently took the kids to Arkansas for a little get away to the Betonville/Rogers area. It is only a little over an hour drive from where we live, and it has lots of wonderful museums, places to eat, and shopping. The Crystal Bridge Museum is a wonderful place to spend a day. Next week, we are all traveling with my husband to Chicago on business. I’m very nervous as we will have to fly. I, like you, have problems with claustrophobia, and dislike flying. I’ve got to be really brave though because this will be my kids first time to fly. Fingers crossed and with a lot of prayers I hope I will overcome my fears. When thinking of favorite trips I have taken, two are from your home state. One was to your beautiful gulf coast and the other was at The Grand in Point Clear. Another favorite trip was to Portland, Maine. It is breathtaking in late September/October. I think we went on every boat tour there was, and I loved it! The lobster and wild blueberry pie is scrumptious, too! Cape Elizabeth is a must see, too. I think I could spend days there. Happy Thursday, my dear friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
Shannon, day trips are wonderful. I am so glad you loved our Gulf Coast and The Grand in Point Clear. Portland is on our bucket list. Enjoy your trip to Chicago. Yes, prayers get me through my claustrophobia!
I have been to France, Italy, the Bahamas, Canada. In the states I have been to Newport RI, NYC, Savannah, Charleston, Washington DC, Philadelphia PA, Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, Denver, Santa Fe NM, Tucson Az,
If you have not been to Santa Fe or Taos NW I would recommend both!
Thanks Penny for joining the conversation. I have been to all the places you mentioned except Philadelphia and Taos. We loved Santa Fe, it is beautiful!
Pam, I enjoyed the trip pics and narrative immensely. You’ve been to many beautiful places. We’re going to a wedding in the fall to mid NC but that’s it most likely this year. We’ve been taking a day trip every few months as our getaway. We’ll go to a state park or go to a restaurant or antique store that’s an hour or so away. A good day trip for us is the Tennessee River. No mountains near us, but a few bluffs. Enjoy your day sweet friend. Clara ❤️
You will enjoy a trip to NC for a wedding. We will be doing some day trips this year. We have lots of waterfalls and interesting places within a couple hours from home. Enjoy your day, sweet friend♥️
You’ve been to some beautiful places! We haven’t had a vacation in quite some time and I’d love to go somewhere relaxing soon. Probably not this year, though. I look forward to going back to Tennessee. I love the mountains! (Even though we have them right here in Southern VA!)
Thank you Michelle. The TN mountains are just beautiful!
I love seeing peoples’ travel photos and you’ve been to some fabulous places! I don’t plan to travel by plane unless it is an emergency until fall 2022 when we hope to return to the UK. I will be spending some time in Cleveland for an October wedding but most of my upcoming travel will be anchoring at the cottage and perhaps doing a day trip or overnight at a friend’s.home. But you never know! I’m definitely not eager to get on a plane for a long time!
Having a second home makes for a lovely vacation! Your cottage has beautiful scenery to offer and I know it is really special to you. Hopefully you can travel to the UK in 2022!
Pam, we’ve been to many of the places you’ve written about here. I have a bit of hesitancy about flying this year, but if we do, we may likely go back to Utah. We really loved it. The national parks always seem to be a favorite for us.
Rita, we are thinking about Utah. Butch has been, but I haven’t. We also love the national parks but not in summer when they are so crowded.
Your pictures bring back many memories, of places we have been and places we wanted to visit. those day’s are long gone but, if for some reason I could go on a trip, it would be to Mackinac Island and a stay at the Grand hotel, and watch “Somewhere In time” play out in real life.
Nonie, I love the idea of the Grand Hotel and watching “Somewhere In Time” playing out in real life!
Thank you for this wonderful tour, made me smile!
I am so glad you enjoyed my friend! Have you visited the United States?
That Somewhere in Time gets us every time…lol. Loved it! We met Chris once and he had all the character ingredients of a superman, even after his accident. We were fortunate to have lived in beside visiting a number of places, but when you are
with those you love, there is still no place quite like home. Thank you for sharing all these choice spots throughout our world via your outstanding photography and commentary…almost like being there.
Home with those you love is the best! How neat to have met “Superman” and to visit the places you have!
You have captured some wonderful places during your travels! Your photos are stunning and show off so much beauty from around the U.S.
Thanks so much, I so appreciate your visit. I just followed you and look forward to your posts
Pam, you and Butch have had some amazing adventures! I love seeing your travel photos. I’m headed home to Charleston tomorrow for a long weekend with my beloved sister. I was never claustrophobic until I opened my eyes in a MRI machine, now just the thought of being stuck on a plane like you were makes me very anxious.
Roxanne, I would have to be knocked out to have an MRI. Just the thought of it makes me anxious!
Love all the beautiful places you have featured here. Bee to many and would love to visit many that you featured. Happy Summer travels Pam!!
Thank you Shirley!
I used to love to travel and fly, but lately I have no desire other than going to the coast and back…flying these days is a nightmare I think, not the luxurious experience it used to be…but I do love to armchair travel so thank you for taking me along! I love Charleston and Savannah, and there are so many diverse and amazing cities within driving distance of Alabama… I can’t wait to hear where your next trip takes you!
Jenna
With a beautiful beach house, I understand not wanting to travel. Flying is a nightmare to me. You are correct, there are so many wonderful places within driving distance of our state and much to see within our state. Happy Sunday, Jenna!
Hi Pam – Love seeing your pics and hearing about your travels. I too am not a fan of flying so this year we will be taking a road trip to upstate NY. I have been going there my whole life as my mother’s family was from the Albany area. My grandmother had a cabin on a small lake outside Saratoga and my Uncle still lives there. We will be staying in a small rented cabin right on the lake. We stayed in the same one back in 2019. That trip we took a day trip over to Vermont which was fabulous. Vermont is beautiful and we saw some of the covered bridges and shopped at the Vermont Country store. We also went up to Lake George one day. This year we are planning a day trip to Lake Placid which is a couple hours from where we will be staying. Other than that we will enjoy fishing, boating and relaxing at “The Lake”.
Have a great weekend!
Lynda, thank you for including your travels. A cabin on the lake sounds so lovely and a day trip to Lake Placid will be wonderful. We want to visit Vermont, one of the few states we haven’t been. Fishing, boating, and relaxing is an ideal vacation. Enjoy!
Beautiful scenery, dear friend. Mike and I have been to some wonderful places also, but not as much out West as you and Butch. Our country does have some wonderful places. I have not been to the Grand Canyon, and do want to visit there. Love to all.
Thank you my friend. You have traveled near and far, but I do suggest seeing the Grand Canyon. Sending my love!
I had to smile when I read this post as I’ve been visiting all your old posts of where you have traveled during the past couple of weeks as we both have similar likes when it comes to traveling. I want to travel somewhere so bad but it really is hard trying to plan a trip this year. I was seriously thinking of Old Edwards in Highlands and Half Mile Farm but that beautiful part of the mountains is probably going to be so crowded both this summer and especially in the fall with all the beautiful color. I would really enjoy going back up to New England but from everything I’ve read, it is going to be crowded as well, everything I’ve checked on has been full. Even here in Florida, hotels are fully booked and at prices like they have never had before. Good luck to all of us that want to go somewhere this year, it may be mission impossible.
Karen, travel might be difficult as far as reservations and crowds. Hopefully, we can find a place to enjoy. I always enjoy reading about your travels. Have a lovely week!