Glacier National Park Sign at Apgar Village Yes we can!! That was our attitude when we considered hiking trails in Glacier National Park. In our previous Big Adventures, we always completed any trail we attempted, no matter how strenuous! Grinnell Glacier Trail certainly won’t be a problem!! Coffee and Muffins But did we consider that our previous Big Adventures had been a few years ago, and with the pandemic, we sort of retreated into a sedentary lifestyle? And then there’s the recent recovery from Long Covid, and…and…that we are a tad bit older now?? Nonsense! We can do this! Sign at Trailhe ..read more

Modern Train in Front of Coaling Tower (NPS Photo)Thurmond, West Virginia, Part II From last week’s Thurmond Part I, we learned of a fascinating yet rugged, rough and tumble town of the early 1900’s. It was rich, ambitious  and DEADLY!! Today we will learn of what happened to this once Bustling Boomtown that is ABANDONED today. Some even believe that ghosts of former residents and victims of brutal killings roam the deserted buildings today. Thurmond is Abandoned Today (NPS Photo) In the late 1930’s, mines moved to more productive areas, and people followed the work. Automobiles provided ..read more

Welcome to Historic Thurmond A Rough and Tumble Town Is it a Ghost Town? Some think so! Back then, people weren’t surprised to step off the train onto a dead body laying next to the tracks! It was a wild town! A Beautiful State West Virginia! It’s the home of the Coal Miner’s Daughter, Harper’s Ferry, the Shenandoah Mountains and the inspiration for that John Denver song. Gorges carved through the mountains Completely embedded in the Appalachian Mountains, the state’s steep and rocky terrain offer magnificent views. Rainfall and melting snow from high elevations stream downwards to form rapidl ..read more

Hello everyone! I am in San Diego, California currently. It’s sunny and in the 70’s most of the time here, with low humidity. I can understand why people love living here. Rockscapes instead of lawns, it makes sense! I walk several miles each day exploring areas near my Residence Inn while my husband is off to work.  Neighborhoods nearby are well maintained with neat homes with terra cotta shingled roofs. Some are surrounded by grassy lawns, but many have lovely natural scapes that use rocks and succulents that don’t require much watering. Some yards are even carpeted with AstroTurf. A l ..read more

From Peruvian Food Truck – it was amazing – What a weekend! Though there is so much more delicious food to experience in Nashville, but for one weekend, I think we covered a lot! Click here to see the food trucks, farmer’s market and so much more!  or below: For another great food adventure, see my Food Glorious Food of Okinawa! The post Food Glorious Food of Nashville first appeared on ShineyVisions ..read more

The Rose Garden 8000 acres of hills gently roll into the Blue Ridge Mountains surround the famed Biltmore Estate. Within its carefully planned fields are 75 acres of formal gardens, water features, miles of walking paths and horse trails, farms, wisteria covered terraces, statues, vineyards, shops, hotels and 200 acres of lawn. See the video here!!  Or below: Miss the first installment of my Beautiful Biltmore series? Click here! For more information on visiting the Biltmore Estate, Go to their website here:  The post Beautiful Biltmore Part II – The Grounds first appeared on Shiney ..read more

Welcome to Historic Thurmond A Rough and Tumble Town Is it a Ghost Town? Some think so! Back then, people weren’t surprised to step off the train onto a dead body laying next to the tracks! It was a wild town! A Beautiful State West Virginia! It’s the home of the Coal Miner’s Daughter, Harper’s Ferry, the Shenandoah Mountains and the inspiration for that John Denver song. Gorges carved through the mountains Completely embedded in the Appalachian Mountains, the state’s steep and rocky terrain offer magnificent views. Rainfall and melting snow from high elevations stream downwards to form rapidl ..read more

From Peruvian Food Truck – it was amazing – What a weekend! Though there is so much more delicious food to experience in Nashville, but for one weekend, I think we covered a lot! Click here to see the food trucks, farmer’s market and so much more!  or below: For another great food adventure, see my Food Glorious Food of Okinawa! The post Food Glorious Food of Nashville first appeared on ShineyVisions ..read more

The Rose Garden 8000 acres of hills gently roll into the Blue Ridge Mountains surround the famed Biltmore Estate. Within its carefully planned fields are 75 acres of formal gardens, water features, miles of walking paths and horse trails, farms, wisteria covered terraces, statues, vineyards, shops, hotels and 200 acres of lawn. See the video here!!  Or below: Miss the first installment of my Beautiful Biltmore series? Click here! For more information on visiting the Biltmore Estate, Go to their website here:  The post Beautiful Biltmore Part II – The Grounds first appeared on Shiney ..read more

Banquet Hall Centerpiece at the Biltmore Estate The Biltmore Estate! It’s a fascinating place and I am excited about showing you around. The Vanderbilt wealth began with George’s grandfather, Cornelius who through his successful business dealings in shipping and railroad became THE richest person in the country. After Cornelius’ death, he passed almost all his wealth to his son William Henry.   He in turn doubled the fortune in a few short years, and eventually amassed the greatest wealth in the world. When William Henry died, he passed his wealth down to his three sons, Cornelius, W ..read more