Some Fall Color

Last Sunday afternoon we did a 10 K walk with the Asheville Amblers at Montreat. Montreat is a Presbyterian retreat and private college located near Black Mountain. The weather was ideal for our walk. When the sun was out it was about 70 degrees, but there was some cloud cover, keeping it cool enough for the brisk walk that included quite a few prolonged uphills. The colors would have looked more brilliant in full sun, but it was still a very pretty fall walk.

Lake Susan is a small lake on the campus and it reflected some of the pretty color. Also visible are some of the historic stone buildings that are on the property. It's a pretty spot.

Big 3-0 in the Big Apple!

Last weekend Russ and I were on our way to NYC to surprise Nora for her 30th birthday! Maggie and Dave also arrived from Maine, so it was a real treat for us, as both our girls had birthdays the previous week. Nora turned 30 on the 26th and Maggie turned 36 on the 28th of September. Here are the birthday girls!

And here they are with Ari and Dave:

I don't show up in many of my photos... funny thing about that. But here's a shot at Heartland Brewery, just to prove I was there, too!

To commemorate Nora's landmark birthday, her boyfriend Ari arranged for a very special weekend. Not only did we arrive without her knowledge, but he had arranged for a Saturday night surprise party at a nice wine/tapas restaurant. She was overwhelmed! I don't think she had a clue... when we arrived at the restaurant she thought the six of us were having dinner there. She opened the door and about 40 people were there ready to yell, "SURPRISE!" It was a fun time!

And then on Sunday he took us all on a schooner cruise of the NYC harbor on the "Adirondack." It was a beautiful day and such a treat to all be together.

Here is a picture of the new building that is rising on the site of the Twin Towers. It's a beautiful addition to the skyline!