Amazing…Charlotte, NC has a higher murder rate then Richmond.

I have lived in Charlotte (three years) and agree it is a nice city with much to offer. North Carolina was good to us and if I did not receive a “dream” offer, we would have stayed.

I have also lived in Chicago and Sacramento, CA.

Chicago is a great city (my home town- GO CUBS) but the winters are brutal at times.

Sacramento was nice in that we were near the coast and mountains.

I like Houston, my current home as well. I like the “can do” attitude of Texans (DON”T MESS WITH TEXAS).

I will tell San Antonio is the perfect vacation destination! Tex Mex, the Alamo, Sea World and the Buck Horn Saloon make SA perfect for families on a budget. The River Walk is free, and there is some cheap food options in the food court in the mall right on the river.

I love Kentucky though, I would think it is a perfect place to live.

HHmmm…Chattanooga Tn…#3…

It is a nice area..I have been there many times…

They have a great Aquarium..among other things..

Deb

Hey Janice,

I’m glad you’re feeling better this morning. I hope that trend continues! Thanks for sharing this story with us. I think Cumberland would be near the bottom of the list just because of the socioeconomic aspect of the area. It is absolutely beautiful in the mountains, but many of the industries who were larger employers have closed and many people have moved away. We are developing a tourist industry because there’s a lot of history in the area. I love the scenic railroad with the steam engine. I’ve gone down to the station a few times to photograph the engine close up. I’ve taken some really cool pictures but I don’t know if they’d be of interest to anyone here, unless we have a big train enthusiast. The art scene is also developing, so that’s a good thing.

I visited Asheville, NC a number of years ago for a librarians meeting. That area of North Carolina is beautiful. I love mountains so I love the western part of the state. I did enjoy my trips to Wilmington and some of the beaches, however. Orton Plantation is absolutely beautiful and I would love to go back there.

That’s my two cents for today. Take care and I wish everyone a great day. (My day started out by waking up before my alarm went off and hearing the rain coming down–that was kind of depressing.)

Margie

There isn’t an Open Blog yet for the day..so I will do my Weather Update on this one if that’s okay..

It is still raining..temp is currently 55 degrees…it is a dreary TGIF…

But the sun is on it’s way for the weekend…and back to the high 70’s…Yipeee!!!

Deb

Good morning Margie..

I have been to Asheville,NC too and it is beautiful..and Charlotte is great too..

I actually love the whole state of NC…

Deb

Hey Deb,

I woke up to the sound of rain this morning, which was really depressing. It’s cold and ugly outside. When I left my house this morning we had already gotten over a half inch of rain. I hydroplaned on the highway this morning, which was not fun. However, things show improvement for next week. A couple days ago they had rain in the forecast for every day of the week, but now they have some sun in there, too. Hooray for that! At least we don’t have any severe weather, so I shouldn’t complain. Speaking of severe weather, I saw an article in the Cumberland paper this morning about one of the professors from Frostburg State University who is taking some students to go storm chasing this summer. He just moved to this area a couple years ago from Indiana, so he definitely had more storms to chase out there. I think storm chasing would be fascinating but I think I’m too much of a wimp to try it! I usually take cover in storms instead of running after them!

I hope you have a good weekend. I think my backyard is going to be too muddy for me to work on my waterfall. I’ll get that project finished eventually! Have a great one!

Margie

Hey! We’re 10th here in Seattle! And oh my you should see the day we’re having! SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And it’s supposed to break heat records today. Should be interesting!

Hubby and I love visiting NC. It’s such a beautiful place in any season–although I’m partial to the mountains in the late Fall when the trees are still pretty and the weather is frosty. Parts of Virginia are also quite beautiful. We contemplated moving to that part of the country when we first married, but we have so much family in MS that we couldn’t leave here. After all, it’s home.

I did particularly love Flagstaff, AZ. We visited there last year and found it to be a really neat city. I would love to go back there anytime. I liked the mountain areas of the Southwest much better than the desert areas. We also liked San Antonio alot, but as a place to visit only. I’m not much of a “big city” girl; so most of the places listed don’t appeal to me.

Still cloudy here today, but not raining. We got 4 1/2 inches of rain yesterday. So wonderful, we were down 5 inches for the yearly average. It’s supposed to be sunny and in the upper 70’s here later today. Hubby’s in a golf tournament, or “golf ball” tournament as Grandson #1 says. So I’m hoping the forecast is correct.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Get to feeling better soon, JD.
Gwen
Collinsville, MS

Hey Margie..

All this rain is a bit depressing…but hopefully I see the sun tomorrow..

I hate driving in the rain..it is so dangerous..so be careful..

Storm chasing is fun to watch on TV..but I am a scaredy cat too..it isn’t my cup of tea!!

I am looking foward to the pics of your back yard when you get it finished..I have a few projects to finish up outside too before it gets too hot..but the rain is in the way..

My 3 year old grandson is spending the afternoon with me..so I have to get ready for him..we always have fun together..he likes playing super-hero..he loves Spiderman..Hulk..Superman..Ninja Turles..Power Rangers..He has all those outfits..and he dresses up and runs all over the place..so I have to get out of low-gear..and shift into HIGH..

Talk to you later..
Deb

Lynn..

I am happy to hear that you have Sun today..enjoy!!!!

Deb

I’m a sucker for the change in the seasons which is why Chicago suits me fine. But if given the chance. I’m going to say Colorado I was there a few years ago and the scenary is just amazing went to the top of Pikes Peak thats some 14,000 feet up close to 15,000. I stayed in the Springs mostly that is just some lovely country there. Although also I recommend if going to NYC. Get out of the city for a day or 2 go to Westchester or Brewster where they have a restaurant made of a replica of Yankee Stadium. But two there are some views that you have to ask yourself am I really in New York? Its about 2 hours from the CT border and Boston and I believe Jersey is also 2 hrs from there. Nice homes even some farms for the kids