We did this for the first time last year the week after Swim for Melissa. Chris made plans to take me to South Beach, but he didn't tell me until two days before because he was afraid I would back out. He was probably right. I had never been away from my kids before, and wasn't really excited about leaving them. I fretted up until we got onto the airplane, then as soon as we took off, I realized how badly Chris and I needed to get away.
This time he didn't have to trick me into going. In fact, I told him a few months ago I wanted to do it again. But this time, I wanted to go to Asheville, North Carolina and I wanted to go in October.
We had a wonderful time! We stayed in a wonderful Bed and Breakfast that had terrific food and two delightful innkeepers. On the drive up, we got off the beaten path and drove past the Ocoee River and into the mountains. The leaves were just beginning to change and it was beautiful.
This is the Biltmore mansion. This is the reason why I chose Asheville as our destination. I have always wanted to visit this home. It's the largest home in the United States and was built by the Vanderbilt family in 1895. The tour itself took more than two hours. My words couldn't even do it justice, so to learn more about the Biltmore, click here. I highly recommend it as a destination!
This is a picture of the view from the back of the home. Again, this picture doesn't do it justice. It was just breathtaking.
On the way home, we drove through Smokey Mountain National Park and stopped and snapped this picture. It increased our drive home by about two hours, but it was worth it. But believe me, after an hour of winding through the mountains, we were VERY glad to get back on the interstate!
All in all, it was a fabulous trip and a great breather for me and Chris. As many of you couples can understand, you become so busy trying to be a good parent and take care of your kids, that you forget how you and your spouse fell in love in the first place. This trip was wonderful, and I feel like I came back so rested, and that in turn, will make me a better mother.
One funny story I'd like to share. Chris and I have a running joke about this. When you anchor the news for ten years, your face becomes a little recognizable. But we always get a chuckle when we are on vacation and someone says, "Hey, you're Amy George!" It's funny because you leave Huntsville to get away from it all, and then someone recognizes you. It happened to us on an anniversary trip to Las Vegas a few years ago. A lady at the slot machine looked up and said, "Hey, you're Amy George!" Ditto on a trip to Washington, D.C. a few years ago. Chris and I were leaving a tour of the White House and someone recognized me.
It happened again this trip - twice. At the Cracker Barrel in Chattanooga (where we stopped to eat lunch) a couple recognized me. They were so kind and told me how much they missed me on the news and they miss watching me and Jerry together. I hear that a lot from people, and I think it's because Jerry and I were such close friends and people could tell that we truly cared about each other. Our chemistry was there from day one, and it was genuine. Jerry has been through a lot with me, and I think people knew that. I assured this sweet couple that Jerry and I are still very close, and we talk almost every day. Then, we were getting out of our car to tour the Biltmore, and would you believe we parked next to a couple from Huntsville?! The lady instantly recognized me, and we laughed about what a small world it is. Chris and I always say, we can leave Huntsville but we still can't misbehave because there's always someone from the Tennessee Valley nearby. :)
1 comment:
Amy, that is so funny. Of course, I've never been on TV, but my husband and I have the same joke.... Several years ago when we were at the Grand Canyon, I ran into someone that I know. It is a small world!
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