Day trip...

to the Congaree National Park! The 17 years we have lived in SC, we have never been there. It was a beautiful place and plan to go back soon and do more of their activities.
You probably want to double click most of these....

Picture 1 - these are Bald Cypress "knees"

Picture 2 - just a pretty view

Picture 3 - Hayden next to a Loblolly Pine....can you say HUGE?

Picture 4 - Part of Weston Lake (off the Congaree River)

Picture 5 - Critter #1 - a Salamander

Picture 6 - Critter #2 - turtle

Picture 7 - Critter #3 - a Red Belly water snake

Picture 8 - Critter #4 - a Blue Heron

Picture 9 - a worn out human critter!

Birthday trip to DC.... (part 1)

This past Thursday, we embarked on our annual 'Surprise Birthday Trip' for Hayden and her friend Kayla! This year Kayla's mom, Shannon (also our friend) came with us! I realized looking through all the photos that Brent was more the photographer this trip and that there are very few with him in the pictures. Sorry honey...

Picture 1 - Waiting on the train...

Picture 2 - the train (Amtrak) pulling in to the station...

Picture 3 - Inside Union Station in DC....

Picture 4 - Changing of the guard at Arlington....

Picture 5 - The Birthday girl...(I know this is one of those only a mother would love pics...and I do love it but don't ask me why...because I can't tell you! )

Picture 6 - Peaceful...

Picture 7 - the girls...again

Picture 8 - neat tour...a lot of cool information
Picture 9 - next stop...the Holocaust Museum....heavy!
Picture 10 - Best Friends that act like sisters separated at birth!Stay tuned....more tomorrow!

Auction...

We have a local auction on every Monday! They have a huge field that they auction during the day and then an inside that they auction in the evening. You will see just about anything and everything here! Dad and Trish were in town on Monday. While Trish had other obligations, Pops and I hung out at the auction! It also gave me an opportunity to play with my new zoom lens!

Picture 1 - some of the stuff you will see...need a walker?

Picture 2 - how about some tanks for some kind of gases?

Picture 3 - I was drawn to all the red out there but blow this one up and take note of the man taking a nap on the bunk bed (didn't notice that till I got home)

Picture 4 - More red...

Picture 5 - A crowd of people around the items being bid on...do you see Pops?

Picture 6 - There he is...

Picture 7 - I took a helper out there with me! :-)I suspect Dana G. will be up to her normal antics with these pictures!

Buildings...

The architecture is amazing in Charleston. When you take the carriage tours, you learn so much history about the buildings. The city has had adversity over the years and it is just incredible that they still stand.

The horses...

Charleston has horses and lots of them! They are part of what makes this place so 'Gone with the Wind' (ish)!

Church Steeples...

Charleston has lots of old churches that have amazing design! Don't ask me what they are because I didn't take note.... :-)

Our Anniversary trip....

Brent and I just returned from an incredible weekend in Charleston. We were there to celebrate our 17th anniversary. Charleston is such an incredible place that is so rich in history! I was excited that we had great weather....clear skies with crisp air. It also gave us a chance to play with the new camera. Hopefully most of my blog readers have never been to Charleston and over the week you will enjoy some of the sites the city has to offer through our pictures! :-) Otherwise it might get boring this week...

Picture 1 - Houses on the Battery...

Picture 2 - the street market

Picture 3 -the famous Rainbow Row

Picture 4 - a pretty water fountain...