We go (went) adventuring, part 2

As it turns out, Georgia has its own mini Grand Canyon. Of course, it has a much grander Georgiafied name: Tallulah Gorge. In addition to being quite lovely, it was made briefly famous in 1970 when Karl Wallenda walked across the gorge on a tightrope. *shudder*
Our visit was spur of the moment and it was well worth the short drive from Anna Ruby Falls.
These photos start at the rim and descend to the suspension bridge across the gorge. I didn't think I would be able to go onto the bridge, but I did it! My only shaky moment was when I reached out and grabbed one of the cables. *another shudder*
Of course, the view was spectacular in every direction and was enhanced by the fall color everywhere. I'd love to go back, but I'm not looking forward to coming back up those stairs again!

We go adventuring, part 1

When we went to Anna Ruby Falls and Lake Unicoi with Sarah, there was a whisper of Fall in the foliage, so we revisited last Sunday hoping for some more color. The trees around the lake evidently turn more quickly than those at the falls. We were probably a week too early for the maples, but it was all lovely just the same.
I'm glad we had already seen Helen because it was very, very crowded on Sunday. We made a quick stop at Betty's Country Store for picnic supplies and headed to the quiet lake for lunch. There was quite a crowd at the falls, too, but there were a lot of kids, so it was fun.




































Next year, we'll go back for the maples!

I'm going

to Black Mountain, NC, to see the Maiers before they cross the big pond. But I'll be back.

13 Things I Saw Along The Way

The famous Rhinoceros Kissing Traffic Light by Alfred Jacquemart, at the Musee D'Orsay.

At the end of a long shopping day in Notting Hill, the glow from this shop window caught our attention. The lovely chandelier in the center spoke to me:

Chandelier: I'm beautiful! Take me with you.

Me: On The Tube?

Chandelier: Never mind.

Here we have a small exhibit of Les Chunks de Notre Dame. There is also a graveyard of rusting wrought iron nearby. "Nothing will fall today," I told myself.

It does wonders for womanly feet, too.

This is an elevator. Honest. When I stood sideways in it, I couldn't put my hands on my hips. Our apartment was on the 4th floor (5th floor U.S.) in a very old Parisian building, so we sent luggage and groceries up in relays to keep the loads light. I felt okay in it, but Rick climbed the stairs every time!



A shell fossil in Tijeras, New Mexico, at 6300 ft. elevation.
We had stopped to watch some climbers in a small canyon, and nearby I found quite a few fossils in debris that was left from the re-routing of the highway.



It looks like something from the Inquisition, but it's really a taffy-pulling machine at the Savannah Candy Kitchen. Their taffy is pretty good, but the pralines are what brings us back.

Say goodnight, Napoleon!
One is not supposed to take photographs in The Louvre, but I had to have my few ugly American moments. (Rick and I were all alone with the security camera.) Check out the white ostrich plumes! Tacky boy.

Sneaking up on Jesus at Notre Dame.

I couldn't help wondering--was he ticklish?

An archway at Westminster Cathedral.

After a disappointing (and expensive) round of tapas, we needed to walk a bit before getting on The Tube, and fancy that--another church, right across the street! We were mapless and didn't know which one we were looking at.

Rick does great nighttime photography, even with a digital camera. This is one of my favorite shots from our time in London.

Sandia Crest ~ looking down on Albuquerque from 10,387 feet up. The temperature dropped almost 40 degrees during the tram ride up. On a good day, you can see for about 11,000 square miles. It was dark when we left, and the lights from the city were spectacular.

One of the most celebrated examples of Art Nouveau architecture in the world. On trash day.

Decisions in the Heartland.

I think Sean said "Hey, Mom, aren't we supposed to be in the right lane?"