The southern charm of Charleston

Oh so sad I've fallen in the black hole of non-posting. Apologies. But I'm back and determined to do better. Having just come from a lovely long weekend in Charleston, it's a perfect opportunity to restart. Mark and I went to see Tiffany, Chris, and Penny and Juliet in their new home. It's gorgeous as you can see. True southern charm.

They live on a quiet cul de sac on a wooded lot with a pond. We saw a doe, raccoon, and squirrels in their backyard, and though we kept an eye out, no alligator showed its face in the pond. There have been sightings and everyone know caution is the rule.

We got to tag along when there was a family photo shoot in a gorgeous park in downtown Charleston. So much beauty in that town.

250 year old live oaks

Cotton plant - never seen one up close

And the cotton ball

Our first visit to Boone Hall Plantation. It's five minutes from the house and a beautiful location. Founded in 1681, one of America's oldest working farms with 250 year old live oak trees. Lots of movies and tv series were filmed there (the Notebook, for one) along with a plethora of weddings. (Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds was the last celebrity one)  Chris's grandparents from Delaware happened to be on a road trip with their friend to Myrtle Beach and joined us for the afternoon. His grandmother kindly took this shot.

Back to Naples after not one, but two birthday dinners for me: Charleston and Miami. Very spoiled am I...

Fall memories from Star Mt. and back in Naples

Ah yes, we are back in Naples. Spent the last few days trying to transition back in. It's seems very noisy and hot. It's still very off season with no crowds anywhere and nothing out of the ordinary in temps at this time of year, which goes to show it's all just perspective.

Shifting gears, this post is full of the last photos before we left. When fall started it came like a freight train. Sadly, all just a memory now...

We took advantage of the gorgeous weather our last few days and jumped in the jeep to see the fall colors. Schofield, Gothic, and around. No Emerald Lake this year. It had never recovered from the avalanche winter of last year and repairs had not been done. Hopefully next summer.

"My" fox. See you next time.

All the cattle are gone. The cowboys took them out the day we left.

We'll be back at Xmas time. A white wonderland at that point - very different.

Last fabulous family visit

The start of fall. It will whiz by in a heartbeat so pay attention cause snow will be a'coming soon.

Yesssss, it's Miss Aubrey.

What a great week with Heather, Brian, and Miss Aubrey. Of course Stash was on the list, also Donita's, a Mexican restaurant that just closed after 39 years. No photo sadly, as the waitress managed to out of focus our group photo with my phone.

Aubrey's camera smile if she thinks about it

Lots and lots of Aubrey photos. Can you see perhaps I'm a little obsessed? What a darling, and boy is she active. Her new walking skills were on full display. She was Miss Speedy by the end of the visit. And, she is curious about everything, especially all those places that I hadn't made child proof. Ha!

The start of fall color. Very late this year, but once the color started by the end of the week it was blazing.

Aubrey and cousin Layla

Lisa, Charles, and Layla came to visit mid-week from Santa Fe. Boy did we have fun, especially Layla and Aubrey.  Almost 5 and 1 is a great combination. So nice to get family together!

Nana and Granddaddy were thrilled to have Aubrey (and Mom and Dad of course) visit. Went really fast as visits do. All our company is done for the season. We are headed back to Naples Saturday. How is it possible it's October??