~~~Zubadeewop Shoppe~~~: Split Personality??

As some of you may know, I am a lover of the beach!! I like all things beachy: sun, sand, ocean, wind, waves, seagulls, sand pipers, crabs, shells, laughter of children, long walks in the surf, sinking into the wet sand. For me, a trip to the beach is so very relaxing. I feel rested and refreshed when I am there and usually, I do not want to leave. I can totally picture myself living on the beach. I could spend my days looking at the ever changing ocean and be one happy woman. I would love to live in a beach bungalow in the winter and spring months...

Enter Fall Family Vacation to the Appalachian Mountains.....

My family (including my 77yo mom-in-law) just got back from Vogal State Park in Blairsville, Ga. I LOVE the Mountains!!!!!!!! I feel so alive and invigorated there!!!

There is something about seeing those majestic hills and tranquil valleys that makes me want to be there. Always. "The mountain are calling, and I must go." John Muir

My crew getting ready for their Day hike on the A.T.!!! =)

I am recovering from a knee injury, so I was not able to hike this year, but I was able to walk the dog around the park where we stayed and Wowsers!!! It was wonderful!! I haven't had that much energy in quite a while! It's like there is a life-pulse in the mountains that shares it's energy with anyone willing to accept!!!

As I mentioned before, my mom-in-law went with us on this trip!! She is such a trooper!!! She is a joy to have around and was able to keep up with us and all our shenanigans!!!

Mc. helping his G-ma across the creek! Such a little gentleman!!! =)

Takin' a break around the fire....

....so nice to hear (and watch) my hubby play his guitar!!!

While there, we rode the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train to a little town on the Georgia-Tennessee border!!! Such a relaxing trip!! It took 1 hour to go 15 (or so) miles, but it was a lovely ride!!

Me and my Honey!!!! He is such am awesome husband, daddy, and son...and also my best friend!

There is a line drawn through the town(s) to show the Ga./Tn. border. So neat to be able to stand in two states at the same time!!!

Photo FUN!!!!
There is a little place at Vogal that is an overflow that becomes a waterfall. This part is the man made overflow thingy....shadow pics are fun to do here.
G-ma on the left, kids in middle, me on the right...taking a picture. Not picking my nose!!! ;)

Then the kids and G-ma got a little crazy with the shadows!!!!

This is the lake at Vogal. I don't think I've taken a photo from this angle....it was a lovely day though and you really can't mess up too much!!!

This is the natural part of the waterfall that flows from the man made overflow!!!! It is beautiful!!And the sound...Amazing!!! You have to hike down a bit of a trail (which G-ma and I did!!) to get to it, but it is so worth the effort!!!Going back up is a bit tiring, but again, worth it!!!! =)

Same waterfall, different view.....

I wish I had a better camera to capture the essence of evening that is the mountains!! What a magical time of day!!! This is looking straight up from our campsite!!! Aaaaahhhhhh........

We purchased a very large (3 room) tent this year. I really like it. It is easy to set up and take down. All of the fam can fit into it. My air mattress even fits comfortably!!! =)

But when I saw this little beauty I got a little tent envy!!!!! =) I could so go for one of these!!!! Love love love this little pop up!!!!!

On the last full day of our stay, I went to a little gas station....
Yes. It was called "Booger Hollow"!!!!!!!!! Bwahahahaha!!!! So Stinkin' Funny!!!!

Now that I am back home, have unpacked, have done mountains of laundry and settled back in to day to day life, I feel like two people. One who wants to spend her life in a bungalow on the beach and on who wants to spend the rest of her days in a cabin on the mountains!!!!
Split personality????
I think not. Just going to have to split my days between both places and squeeze in visits to the kids when I can!!!! (when they are grown and gone and I can actually live in one of these places!!)
I think I could do the beach in winter and spring and the mountains in summer and fall!!! Sounds like a plan to me!! Happiness!!!!

Blessings!!!

P.S. Just adding a few more random pics.....

Oh yes!!! We are jam packed in this Suburban!!!

She is probably going to disown me, but the kids thought is was so funny that G-ma was taking a nap!!!

OK.....Here everyone is awake and happy!!!!! G-ma did say a few times on this trip that she felt like our forth child.....haven't figured out what she means or how to take that.

G-ma the adventurer!!! Th. did not want to get in that hollow tree. There were spiderwebs in there!!!
But G-ma thought it was pretty cool and stooped for a pic with Th. =)

Once again, I am going to be in trouble, but really, who keeps their "tent room" so stinkin' neat?!?!?!? G-ma does!!!!

Shoe Tree at Neel's Gap store....poor tree.

My crew before they hit the trail!! We love this little store!! =)

Teehee....sorry G-ma, but this one is so cute!!! There was a nice fall set up at the Sunshine Store and we took advantage!!! =)

The land of giant pumpkins....and lots of them!!!

G-ma hiked down to the waterfall at Vogal....did I not tell you she was awesome?!?!?!!!!! For those of you that have been there, you know why!!!

Riding on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway....Fun (relaxing and no walking) times!!!

Ate at this little Cafe' in McCaysville (Sp?)....yummy!!! Not sure why it is called this. The food was not "heavenly", but I thought the name of the place was kind of cute!