Asheville, NC and Hilton Head Island, SC

On October 25 we drove to Asheville, NC for a 2 week stay.  We were looking forward to visiting the Biltmore Estate but we were still a bit under the weather and the weather did not cooperate--it rained most of the time we were there.  We did drive to Maryland to visit family for a few days.  We were on the road by 6:00 AM.  The drive there was beautiful once the fog cleared.  The rolling hills are beautiful.

Runaway truck ramp!?!

We stopped at a scenic overlook.  It did not disappoint.

We climbed 100's of steps to an even better overlook higher up.

The steps seemed never-ending.

At the top we had an even better look at the valley below.

On November 8 we drove to Hilton Head Island, SC.  We rented a villa a block from the beach for November-February.  The island is as beautiful as we remembered from our last visit.  Even though it was a bit chilly in the beginning, the beach, bike paths, and trees were still lovely.

When I ride my bike I feel as happy as a dog going for a ride with 

his head hanging out the car window!

Wind and a light rain does not keep us from walking on the beach.

There were a couple of gale warnings.  Waves were high...

and beach paths were blown out of place.

One day the beach was littered with dead horseshoe crabs.

This was a huge dead horseshoe crab.

Another cold, rainy bike ride!

Went to the Oyster Festival and enjoyed great music...

and beer and oysters.

A couple of weeks after arriving in Hilton Head we decided to see what properties were available for sale.  On December 6 we became the owners of a townhouse 1/4 mile from the beach.  Between walking on the beach and biking around the island, we have been slowly making it our own.  It's nice to have a place where we can display the souvenirs we've collected over the past 3 years.  We plan on spending most of the year on the island and traveling during the summer when we want to get away from the heat and tourists here.  Of course, we'll travel anytime of the year if there's a destination we have in mind (like Oktoberfest in Amana, Iowa!).  I'm still going to post on my travel blog.  In addition I will be starting a new blog that will focus on decorating, cooking, and island living.  When I have it set up, I will post the name here.  Check back soon!