Parks and Places

The year is 1895, and George Vanderbilt has finally completed construction of his “country home” – a 250-room French Renaissance chateau in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina. It is on Christmas Eve that he opens his exquisitely, and festively, decorated home to friends and family who will enjoy their stay in one of 35 bedrooms!

Step back in time to rural Louisiana with a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside resort. It is one of our favorites! Just walking into the beautiful bustling lobby of the Colonel’s Cotton Mill building is a treat. Notice the various ports of call mentioned in the detail...

I was never sure how I would feel about the “city that never sleeps” when I often prefer the quiet of the country. I am so grateful someone included me in their plans to visit New York City, because now I can say with enthusiasm that I love it! The first time I stood in Times Square I surely must...

There is something about the mountains that calls to the heart of this beach town girl. The vastness of mountain ranges in the distance never fails to catch my breath. The winding roads and trickling waterfalls streaming down the rocky mountainside relax me in a way that flat land never does. Add a bit of snow to the picture,...

I was born here.  Jacksonville has been my home for over fifty years, and I honestly cannot imagine living anywhere else.  My hometown and I have grown up together, and those who knew us then may not easily recognize either of us now.  Progress has ushered in the demolition of buildings in which I made fond memories.  These have...