Because you can never have enough sunsets

Those of you who've followed our blog for a while are probably familiar with my vacations, and my sunset photos.  Our family trips to the Sleeping Bear Dunes aren't quite annual, but every couple years we feel the need to get back to this familiar place that is full of beauty and fun.  And such was the case this year, so I thought I'd share some of my favorite photos from this year with you.

I hope you too had a wonderful summer!
-RobinsFlight

Happiness is Asheville

by our return guest blogger, KPTography

Anyone who knows me, or knows of me, knows that Asheville, North Carolina is my happy place. Even my students can tell you that I live and breathe the Biltmore Estate. I make no bones about it. I love the Biltmore. I love how it looks, I love what it was and what it is. I love the family history. I love the estate!

This summer I got to go on a daddy/daughter trip to Asheville. This trip I actually spent more time off the estate then I have in all of my time visiting Asheville. I now have proof (besides my own opinion) that Asheville is a very happy place to be.

I love animals. I can even love a snake as long as its behind glass with a very secure lid. This trip I visited the Western North Carolina Nature Center. I was totally excited because I was going to see my very first bear and wolves (yes the non-Twilight type). Dad and I went through the reptile house (a bit quickly I might add). We wandered over to the River Otters. They turned out to be camera hogs. That’s when I heard the snuffing. I followed my ears until I reached a very large fenced in area and there he was. A big black bear that was not playing so nicely with his enclosure mate (I think the bear was an only child and I could relate to that!)

This ranked right up there with finding Pez world with my mom. I followed this bear that didn’t want his picture taken attempting to get the perfect shot. I had just about given up when it happened. He plopped himself down against a tree, started scratching his butt and then grinned like nobodies business. I wasn’t sure if I had seen this correctly but he did it several times. I decided the bear was happy because he was in Asheville. I know I got so excited about the grinning bear I completely forgot about the wolves!
 
Dad and I also spent one morning in downtown. I love the stores in downtown but this was the first time I had experienced downtown without a crowd. As I walked around I noticed that all of the merchants had water bowls for the dogs outside their stores. Even if they weren’t a pet store there was a fresh bowl of water for a pooch in need. Its no wonder all the pups in Asheville are friendly and happy. They know that they are welcome to come in for a visit.

The other day I was reading the news online and came across the article called The Happiest States In America In One Map (www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/02/happiest-states-_n_3696160.html) in the Huffington Post. The only town listed on the eastern seaboard was Asheville! Something I already knew but was very happy to see that I had been correct.

I will always love Asheville because of the Biltmore Estate but it’s so nice to know that the animals are happy there too!