Crabtree Falls

Yesterday my birthday request was to do and see something that I haven't seen before and the first place I could think of was Crabtree Falls. I have wanted to take this hike for sometime now and was very happy that we chose yesterday to finally go. It is getting colder now so it was a bit chilly at the bottom of the falls but the hike out got our heart racing. Total it ended up being a moderately strenuous 2.5 mile loop. There was also camping at Crabtree Meadows with tent sites & hook-ups; I was jealous of the folks gathered round the fires and I so wished that we were able to camp but we didn't. There will be some time for that when we get back from Vegas, soon enough. I am so very excited about Fall and the magnificent colors it brings - it's an absolutely beautiful time of the year. Living in Boone you are exposed to actual seasons that change unlike Florida. Winter is a trying time but you get used to it after a while, last year it only snowed like 5-6 times it seems. I enjoy the snow, it makes me feel like a kid again. Snowball fights are pretty darned fun too. Listen to me; it's only getting down to about 54 right now which isn't too too cold but the house is poorly insulated and it feels a lot colder inside the house than it really is outside! We'll worry about those sorts of things when we get back from our trip though - window covering, heater, wood............. On top of that our water heater is acting up right now. The water doesn't get very cold which is no good because it makes me so tense to try and shower under that cold water I just can't take it. Maybe I'll try not to bathe until Vegas! ewe gross........whatever cause I do that all the time, hahaha. Well, on that note I'm going to take my dirty behind to the kitchen and clean up.

And many more................

Here is the homemade birthday card that Cody had waiting for me on my pillow when I got back from the bathroom this morning. I just knew he was up to something yesterday when I got home from work because he had the guiltiest look on his face! But either way it's an awesome card now you have to make sure that you talk like a Rastafarian when you read the card mon'!!! I really like how he did the letters by twisting strips of paper, I'm going to make him show me how to do it later. I'm hoping to get a massage today instead of waiting for the outrageous prices in Vegas, I'll definitely get more for "Cody's" money here in Boone. The weather is absolutely perfect here right now - I just love this time of year in the mountains. And today is so unbelievably clear how could we resist getting outside for a hike. I haven't done a whole lot to prepare for Vegas although over the weekend I do plan on figuring out what I'm going to take with me. I've got to keep in mind that we are only there for four days so I don't need to over do it with the over-packing. I would like to find another pair of jeans but I haven't had any luck with shopping lately. Even last night didn't produce any results.........Once I'm there it won't matter a whole lot I'm sure so there is no need for me to get worked up. I can't believe we are now only 3 days away before we whisk ourselves off to the city that never sleeps. I know that I'm going to have to give all I got to keep up since I fair going to bed early now. I'm sure it will be hard to sleep with all the excitement so I'll be able to manage. This week we called and made reservations at the restaurant that I have dreamed about eating at since I saw the ad in my guide to Vegas. It's the "Top of the World Restaurant" in the Stratosphere Hotel; our reservations are for the sunset so I'm looking forward to the amazing view during dinner. Aside from outdoor activities I think that we'll mostly be playing it by ear. I wasn't really up for an itinerary that made me feel rushed in anyway during our visit. Of course we won't get to experience everything but we'll get around - if you know what I mean. Okay, I suppose that I've had enough lazing around the house it's time for me to figure out the plans for the day since it's my BIRTHDAY!!!!

Tired but Good

The pure, the bright,
The beautiful that stirred our hearts in youth,
The impulses to wordless prayer,
The streams of love and truth,
The longing after something lost,
The spirit's yearning cry,
The striving after better hopes;
These things can never die.
The timid hand stretched forth to aid a brother in his need,
A kindly word in grief's dark hour that proves a friend indeed;
The plea for mercy softly breathed,
When justice threatens high,
The sorrow of a contrite heart;
These things shall never die, shall never die.
Let nothing pass,
For every hand must find some work to do,
Lose not a chance to waken love.
Be firm and just and true,
So shall a light that cannot fade beam on thee from on high,
And angel voices say to thee;
These things can never die.
-Charles Dickens