Duke University Gardens

We visited the Duke University Gardens when we first move here, but we wanted to see what it looked like in Autumn. The climate is so mild here that the flowers were still in bloom. We spent most of our time in the Japanese Garden.

A vine twisted tree.

Fall roses.

Smells as good as it looks.

Pregnant lady in a pumpkin shirt.


Rex by the pond.

Rex walks in the garden.

"We went to the animal fair..."

Today was the last day for the NC State Fair. We got there early to beat the crowds and see the goat show. So fun. Lots of pictures of goats you will see. We didn't try the deep fried twinkies or coke, but we did share a roasted turkey leg. Enjoy the pics.


A goat dressed liked Tinkerbell.


I spy Rhonda clapping for goats.


White dairy goats.

Hungry Pygmy goats.

Little kids.

Never play on top of your food.

Baby donkey. Awww.

Costume contest winner. Cowboy with holster and hat.

Kindred spirits.

What?

Little baby goats.

This bunny is a tanker with messy hair.

Eenie, Meenie, Minee, Mo ...

I'm long over due for a trim and I'm not sure what to do. Maybe you can help. Which hair style do you like best? The hair color is going to stay the same for awhile (dark blonde) so I just have to work with what I've got. Let me know your pick at rhonda.nielson@gmail.com.



I don't want Rex to feel left out on this blog post. Here are some possible Halloween looks he can try. Which one do you like?

Highlands, NC

So sorry for the late post. You would think we climbed three mountains or something. Well, actually two and a half. We travelled west to Highlands, NC, home of my mother's family and my long lost kin. There used to be a whole passel of folks I was related to there, but after 50 plus years not too many are left. My mother's cousin Sarah has a pretty home there and after we moved to NC I called her up. We have been wanting to visit and October was the perfect time. All the leaves are changing and the weather is mild. Highlands is 4100 ft in elevation and Sarah took us up on some beautiful hikes as you can see. We hiked in the day and relaxed by the fireplace in the evening. I saw lots of pictures of my family that I had never seen before and heard a few good stories. All in all a great trip. She has invited us back for Christmas. We are so excited.


Seen here: The rare Rainbow tree.


Seen here: The Smiling Rex


Not my best side. Picking wintergreen berries. Yum.


This tree was probably here when my Grandma walked this trail.


Cousin Sarah! Watch out for that giant pregnant lady. Eeek.


The still forest.


Lichen and leaves.


The new fall fashion craze: The mountain beekeeper look. You know you love it.


Rex and Rhonda standing in NC with a view of SC and Georgia mountains behind.


Smiling pregnant woman and tallest mountain in Georgia.


Pink leaves on the hackberry bushes.


Cousin Sarah and Rhonda on a big slab of granitized gniess rock.


The handsomest man in these here hills.


A mountain trail view.


Another mountain trail view.


Christmas colors.


An old-timey cabin in the woods. (not Sarah's)


Sunshine yellow.


Mt. Whitesides: Elevation 4930 ft.


Mountain pond reflections.


More mountain pond reflections.


Colors in the water.


Fall foliage.


Belly update on top of Mt. Whitesides.


A grand view.


Rex in the clouds.


Rhonda, Rex and Sarah.


Mt. Whitesides elevation carving.


Pretty colors.


Kaboom! Fall fireworks.


A shy tree.


Hiking through the oaks.


Buddha and babies. (Rhonda by Sarah's garden art)