Less than 24 hour trip to Asheville

My mom had told me a week or so ago that she was having a "get-together" for everyone that was going to be in town on Thursday night.  Of course, she invited us, but obviously it was a weeknight and not exactly something we would normally be available for.....

The get-together was because both Rafe and Little Eddie would be able to attend.  Rafe had traveled from West Virginia for the week and Little Eddie and his family are on leave from Italy.  Eaven and his girlfriend are on spring break and he is finishing a Orlando trip with her family by meeting up with his dad for the return to W.Va.....so complex alignment of everyone was set for Thursday.

I had not told Mom or anyone except Keith and Teresa that I was going to come up.  I don't know why, but surprising people seems fun!

Duane, of course, was too busy with work to join me....so I set out mid-day Thursday for what I thought would be a quick 2.5 - 3  hour drive from Asheboro.    But it ended up 34 degrees and raining/snowing!  A very slow slog.  This was my view for about 4 hours of stop/go I-40 traffic...

Keith did good and didn't spill the beans - so I got to surprise everyone at Mom's house!

Rafe and I headed over to the Asheville Airport to pick up Eaven and Allison from their flight from Orlando.  Such a cute couple!

Enjoyed visiting a little with the newest addition to the family - Connor who is about 18 months old is visiting with his folks on leave from Italy.

He's a real ham - here with Grandpa Eddie - 

Much chatting and eating was accomplished, of course!

Really good to see everyone especially the ones we don't get to see too often.

Early the next morning I headed out with Mom and Frank for their normal Friday visit with Grandma Hall.  She has recently moved out of her house to Fletcher's in Fairview.  It is a very nice facility - not a nursing home but a assisted living center.  A gorgeous view and a really neat  place.

I got to surprise Grandma too!  I knocked on her apartment door and stuck my head in - she looked up and asked "well, my goodness!  How did you know where to find me??"  I'm so happy to have a 97 year old Grandma that still knows who I am!

Mom helping Grandma with some paperwork.  Her room is very comfy and she has a beautiful mountain view.  She has her own restroom and a enormous closet/storage room.  She is still getting around really well, but obviously gets a little confused about simple things.  She's good-spirited about it though - laughs a little at herself when she realizes that she "should have known that".  She seems very happy there and I hope that continues!

And since this was a bit of a "spur of the moment" trip, I needed to head back right away -  look at the beautiful view I had for the return trip!

 

Forgot to mention that we went to the health food store in Naples before we went to see Grandma. I got a bunch of soy products that I can't get anywhere else local....but I spied these muffins at the entrance. $1.25 for this oh-so-yummy pistachio muffin. I'm sure it's not really health food - but it was fantastic!!