Exploring.......

So you were expecting pictures of far-off vistas from the mountaintops?  

 We have done some wandering but having to argue and plead with the Sync Navigation system on the Ford takes all the concentration we have and the scenery takes a back seat to trying to get to our destination.   It is very frustrating and even tho they did an upgrade, it still gives us fits and we find we need to use our phones when we get to the point of wanting to rip it out of the dash and say bad words.    

Anyhow, we did manage to find our way to the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival yesterday........lots of music, LOTS of food and a variety of refreshments containing alcohol.    I was surprised at the  number of stands that sold brew beers, hard lemonade, hard cider and fruity wines in foil pouches.   We stayed with water, both to drink and to wipe the BBQ sauce off our faces and fingers.   

The ribs .........

We're back in the land of robins......we don't have them in our backyard or anywhere in our part of Florida.   But they are in abundance around our site and reminds me of Connecticut with the birds and trees.    The day before, we were having lunch at a golf club (investigated, didn't play) and a delightful little Bluebird (of happiness, I'm sure) perched on the windowsill beside our table.   Not long enough for a picture but it made my day.

Last evening we headed over to the Flat Rock Playhouse to see a production of the Spitfire Grill.    It was outstanding and the lead had an amazing voice.   Ellen Burstyn had this role in the movie version but I don't remember hearing about it before.     While wandering the grounds, we came across this gorgeous tree.....I have never seen this before and others were asking about it as well.    It is a Royal Purple Smoketree and the leaves turn a brilliant red in the fall.  The flowers create a beautiful haze.    I think it is usually shrub- sized but this one and another were very large.   

 

On Friday night we wandered over to Hendersonville nearby.    This area is big with retirees so I expected to see a 'Village-type' crowd at the weekly Friday night street dance.    There were the grey hairs but also, many many families, teenagers and all ages.   The restaurants and shops were inviting and the weather was perfect.    We're so used to being surrounded by the Medicare crowd that we really notice and relish the mingling of the ages.

We're still in love with our new house......It is so roomy and convenient and comfortable and pretty........did I tell you that Andy and Mason decided to name it ?    Being boys, being enamored with Star Wars, Avengers, Transformers and everything good vs. evil,  after seeing a picture, they tagged it "The Black Raven".......!!    Sounds rather ominous but have to consider the source.....had Lizzie named it we'd probably be driving around in Tinkerbell !!     (no offense Lizzie.....I know that you're growing up but I think you still like Tinkerbell.........but Hunger Games or Harry Potter just doesn't have the right visual as a name).    I suspect "The Raven" has stuck but doubt we'll have one airbrushed on the back.