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As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, Rich and I ventured off to Highlands, N.C. (for the second year in a row) for our third anniversary. We spent a quiet weekend away, both understanding that soon, a weekend away will be anything but quiet! Unless Alana happens to be one of those angelic babies, of course
After enjoying a Saturday full of fun, shopping, and eating, we went to a local overlook spot called “sunset rock,” hoping that we’d be subject to an absurdly beautiful sunset to enjoy and capture on camera. Unfortunately, what we did get was a hazy, low-visibility evening with the sun so dim it was hardly detectable as it sunk below the distant ridges.
Oh, well. We appreciated the time together anyway, and the fact that we had to hike about a mile (uphill) to get there. The exercise was good, and we’ll enjoy a gorgeous sunset some other time!
Here we are on sunset rock while Rich captured a self portrait of the status quo evening!
We actually ventured back the next morning to see if it was any clearer or more beautiful this time around. It wasn’t, so we spent a few minutes taking some shots before heading back to Main Street for lunch.
A few shots of me at 27 weeks (I’m 29 weeks today!) with my baby bump!
We marveled at the change of pace that a place like Highlands requires. We are accustomed to city life in Chattanooga, with countless options for meals, theaters, entertainment, and shopping. Highlands, however, offers only quaint Main Street and the great outdoors. Now, don’t get me wrong, Main Street and all of it’s shops and dining experiences are wonderful…what amazes us was how early everything closes down on Saturday night, and doesn’t actually re-open on Sunday! Not even the pharmacy! We attempted to go out to eat for a birthday lunch for Rich before heading back to Chattanooga on Sunday, but alas, there was one restaurant open and they were serving only brunch! Every place we tried to eat was closed! We left wondering if the local populous is forced to go home after church every Sunday and cook, or if there was a secret, hidden cluster of places that are in fact open on Sundays and we just weren’t privy to the information!
Once back in Chattanooga, we went to a local Italian place for Rich’s 31st birthday dinner! We had an absolutely delicious meal and headed home for birthday cake and gifts!
Birthday boy making a wish…
…And reading the largest card either of us had ever seen…compliments of my wonderful sister and her hubby, who think that Rich is actually Superman
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Hey, cool shirt big bro! Black Hills State rocks my world! You better think of me every time you put it on! In all seriousness…we are so happy your birthday was memorable. We hope to celebrate WITH you sometime in the near future. But of course we wouldn’t tell you since we have yet to SURPRISE you! Oh, we are going to get you good someday! Love you both. Princess, you are glowingly, radiantly beautiful. Hugs and kisses to all three Smiths.
Oh, by the way! Sundays are not the day to attempt to accomplish ANYTHING!!! It is like that here is Rapid. I can appreciate a calm Sunday to relax and enjoy the day, but REALLY! Everything is closed!