Boone-erang

There's a fun saying in Boone North Carolina, that once you live in Boone you will return, to visit or stay. It's called the "Boonerang Effect". It does seem that every time I return to Boone I can find plenty of familiar faces puttering around in Espresso News or wandering along King Street. It seems that people love Boone so much that given the chance, they will return.

Me, Jeremiah, and Charlotte - So much Love!

Jeremiah and I had the lovely opportunity to visit Steve and Kathleen for a few days in Boone just this week. It was mostly a business trip as Jeremiah and Steve are working with ASU on a potential project with their MBA program. Both the boys got dressed up for their big business meetings. That being said, we still had time to play.

Kathleen and I had a lovely hiking trip up the Tanawha trail off Holloway Mountain Road. The Tanawha stretches over 13 miles, starting from the foot of Grandfather and heading North. It is actually also part of the Mountain to Sea trail. If you're ever looking for a great hike in Boone, check out appalachianhighcountrytrails.com created by a good friend of mine, JR. It's an excellent, extensive resource of hikes and camping trips in the high country. Kathleen and I did a small portion of the Tanawha near the Boone Fork Trail. We hiked through a  lovely open pasture and into some thick rhododendron forests. Bella had her first ever encounter with a cow and she was not quite sure what to make of it.

Jeremiah and I had a lovely time catching up with friends, spending time with family, and dominating a game of Trivia at Galileo's. If you've never been, Boone is a little slice of heaven.

Kathleen and Bella in the 'Rock Garden'

Loving the Queen Anne's Lace!

America the Beautiful

Photo of Lightening and Firework by Sean Murphy

Lying on a blanket on the beach watching the night sky light up with colors, I was inspired by my own country to begin writing again. The inky black sky was lit up by the little pin pricks of light that were Mars and Venus. In the distance rumbling clouds were dancing with swirls of heat lightening. And a few hundred yards away, fireworks were exploding across the sky. From behind me came the sound of a lone trumpeter. The notes of "God Bless America" drifted over me and out across the waves of the ocean. Hundreds of people had joined us on the beach to celebrate our country. America is truly a beautiful country to call home.

It was an amazing end to a fantastic week in Venice Florida with friends. We had many days lying at the beach, throwing the frisbee, and messing around on the paddle board in the waves. Addison even surfed a wave in on it. Venice is a beautiful little island on the Gulf of Mexico that is small enough to bike or golf cart around. We had so much fun playing tennis, climbing the giant banyan trees, and eating at some of the tastiest restaurants around (Marker 4 and Robby's Reef

are a must). I can't think of a better way to have spent my 4th of July Holiday. Thanks to the Steffs for allowing us to stay at their lovely home!

Looking for Sharks Teeth

Climbing the Banyan

Waiting for Fireworks

Jeremiah and I 

Under the Boardwalk

              

Family Photo

Burying Jen

Pier at Marker 4