To whoever is not listening to the sea

Location: Monticello. Thomas Jefferson's house and plantation. 

Location: Shenandoah National Park, VA

Location: Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum, Charlottesville, VA

Australian Indigenous art is the oldest unbroken tradition of art in the world.  We got to see some of it at this small but informative museum, the only one of its kind in the US.

Wati Kutjara (Two Indiated Men) 1988

Artist: Brandy Tjungarayai (1930-2012)

Location: Bruington, VA

Jesus was in the house for Thanksgiving, so we took the opportunity to take our annual Christmas photo with the birthday boy himself!  (Wendy's Dad was fixing the statue for his church.) 

Location: Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville was founded in the late 18th century.  It has a popular downtown pedestrian mall, which was built about 200 years later (1976!)  However, there are some places on the mall, which have been around much longer than that. This pharmacy even has a lunch counter!

Location: Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville has tons of wine and cider makers. We didn't take a full tour, but did stop by here for a tasting with Wendy's sister and brother-in-law. 

Location: Lotus Temple, Yogaville, VA

The news of our next Preside was a bit easier to take in the setting of the ashram.  Serenity now! 

Location: Lotus Temple, Yogaville, Buckingham VA

Wendy was fortunate to spend the first week of November on a meditation retreat.  

Location: Lake Janaluska, NC

This area, about 25 miles from Asheville,  has been a retreat center associated with the Methodist Church since the early 1900's.  They welcome the public to enjoy the walking trails around the lake.  We took them up on it!

Location: Downtown Asheville, NC 

Most (every?) Friday nights, a drum circle forms at Pritchard Park on Patton Avenue. All are welcome to drum, goes from around 6-10pm. 

Location:  Three Falls, Dupont State Forest, Cedar Mountain, NC 

There are at least five different waterfalls in the park, along with tons of hiking, biking and horse trails. Plus, if you are a fan of Hunger Games, you can reenact your favorite scenes - it was filmed here!

Location: Biltmore Estate, Asheville, NC

Location: Art Loeb Trail 

Wasting time on photography was frowned upon on our 17 mile hike, but when we came on this field of quartz we had to stop. It was everywhere...this picture doesn't quite capture it. 

Location: Pack Square, Asheville NC

Location: Cosby Campground, Great Smokey National Forest, TN

Location: Fryingpan Mountain, NC

We hiked up to Fryingpan mountain in hopes of catching 360 views of the mountains at sunset.  Sadly, the weather had other ideas.  

Location: Snowball Trail, Craggy Gardens, NC

Location: Western North Carolina Wildlife Center 

Location: Cold Mountain, Pisgah National Forest, NC

This tree just looked like elephant feet to me!

Location: On the way home from Mt. Michell 

At the highest point east of the Mississippi it was 20 degrees colder, misty and wet than Asheville.  Doh!

Location:  Middle Prong Wilderness Area

Location: Shining Rock Wilderness

Location: Tanahwe Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway

Location: The North Carolina Arboretum, Asheville, NC

This eagle is made of legos!

Location: Graveyard Fields, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 418.8

Location: Shining Rock Wilderness, NC

Oh, it's over there!

Location: Craggy Pinnacle, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC

Our friends came all the way from Pennsylvania to see us..and we nearly blew them off the mountain!

Location: Gracelandd — TV Room - Basement. Memphis, TN

Location: Middle Prong Wilderness Area, North Carolina

Location: MIssissippi River