We were fortunate enough to be invited to Monika and Reuben's Oktoberfest bash.  What a great time we had!  The food was fantastic and the company was even better!  It was great to meet new friends and reconnect with old ones.

Looking forward to next year!

Last week, I made a whirlwind trip back to Tennessee to pick up my car and other things we'd stored.  Lydia flew with me to help me drive back home.

It was Lydia's first time in East Tennessee and I enjoyed showing off my favorite things about our old home.  Mom and I took her to Foothills Parkway to see the completed Missing Link - a section of Foothills Parkway that was finally finished this year after decades of waiting.  While the leaves were just barely turning to their fall colors, it was still a beautiful drive.

I love showing off our beautiful Smoky Mountains.  They never fail to take my breath away.  Next up was my sanctuary and my favorite place in Tennessee - Cades Cove.  We didn't see any bears, but the morning was misty enough to look like a fairytale.

In addition to Cades Cove, we managed to fit in a trip to Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome, which is on the TN/NC state line.  It was fascinating to find out that when we were at Newfound Gap, one of the gateways to the Appalachian Trail, we were at the same altitude that we are here at home in NM.

The stand out amongst Newfound Gap and Clingman's Dome are the views of the mountains.  The haze makes them look so ethereal and fairy tale-like.

We also took a girls' trip to Asheville so that Lydia could see her daughter and family.  While she was enjoying her family time, my mom, sister and I went to the Asheville Arboretum.  It was a true jewel.  My favorite parts had to be the Bonsai garden and the little model train railroad.

The best part of our trip?  Seeing family.  It was great to spend time with all of them.  Kate and I spent one afternoon at the park while she showed off her swinging and sliding prowess.  She's getting too big for her Grammy's liking.  But what a smart, beautiful, talented and funny granddaughter we have.  She's the light if our eyes.