Norwegian Sky

When we docked in Nassau, it was really neat seeing and comparing all of the other cruise ships to ours. Each had a unique vibe and the design was drastically different from one to the next. This ship was docked next to us and they were throwing quite the embarkation party! The peacefulness of this photograph belies the craziness that was going on just an hour before.

A dozen Norwegian crew members were dancing and generally throwing a welcome party right on the dock as their passengers were arriving. They even had one of those giant blow-up figures that you see at car dealers — I'm not sure what the deal was with that thing! It was a really great marketing tactic for the people aboard other cruise lines. It may have been my imagination but I swear they were making people do a shot of tequila before they were allowed to return. We might have to check out Norwegian next time!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

Snowy Tower

It's officially summer and the mercury is in the upper 90s in Charlotte so let's take it back to a much cooler day in Hogsmeade Village at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

I think the temperatures that day were in the low 80s but still, they've got fake snow and white skies so it seems a whole lot cooler! 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

From Barcelona to the Bahamas

I was surprised to find that the gardens surrounding the marina on Paradise Island were clearly inspired by Barcelona's most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí. Not exactly the first thing you'd expect to find while walking through a high-end outdoor mall in the shadow of the ultra-modern Atlantis Resort.

In hindsight, it makes a lot of sense, though. Gaudí's unique style was heavily inspired by the ocean and to say everything he did was way over the top would be the understatement of the century. Sounds like a certain pink hotel that can be seen peaking out from the back of the Gaudí-inspired mosaic in this photograph.

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

On the Prowl

This cougar lives in a protected habitat on Grandfather Mountain. I knew they were big but I had no idea just how enormous they were until we saw one in person! They are sometimes called mountain lions and they definitely live up to the name!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7. 

UK World Showcase

When some storm clouds rolled through Epcot on an otherwise sunny day, I headed straight to the UK World Showcase. The storm clouds and accompanying drizzle really brought Epcot's tiny British village to life! 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Vickery's

Vickery's is a great waterfront bar and restaurant on Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. Every trip we take to Charleston always starts with lunch at either Vickery's or Poe's Tavern on Sullivan's Island. If you go in the early afternoon, you are almost guaranteed to see a few dolphins playing along the creek. The dock has been newly renovated and now connects in a loop with the boardwalk over the marsh, which makes for a fun walk after lunch. 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone. 

Famous Fast Eddies

Beech Mountain is such a small community that I can fly the drone off the back deck at Slopeside and pretty much fly through the entire town. It sort of feels like having some prescient superpower! Pictured here is the excellent Famous Fast Eddie's (the larger building), the Mile High Tavern (smaller building) and the ski village and ski mountain (background).

Famous Fast Eddies is a five-minute walk from our place provided that you don't stop to watch the deer who are always wandering around the mountain. Eddie is from Chicago, which means that I can get proper Chicago dogs at nearly any hour of the day or night! Add to that beers on tap from Beech Mountain Brewing Company, including Eddie's Strong Hand, which is custom brewed for Eddie, and you can't go wrong! 

This photograph was captured with a DJI Phantom 3 Professional drone.

Outrunning the Storm

Leaving Nassau on a cruise ship is an interesting event. The ships queued up one after another to race out of the harbor in all directions, trying to beat the storms. It looks like our neighbors on Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot to pay the weather bill before their departure.

As we left the port, we sat on our terrace and watched the storm clouds absolutely chase down the Norwegian ship. They managed to stay ahead right up until the end. 

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Hogsmeade Station

Welcome to Hogsmeade Station, gateway to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry! The designers and engineers at Universal Studios did such a fantastic job in everything that they touched at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter that you really feel like you're stepping into Harry's world. If they could just get rid of all of the fanny-pack and rain-poncho wearing muggles, the illusion would be complete! Seriously, though, if you haven't been to the WWoHP and you are a fan of the books, add it to your bucket list. It really is that great!

This photograph was captured with a Sony NEX-7.

Flag Day

My grandmother's favorite holiday was Flag Day and this post is for her :-)  

I think it says quite a bit about her and her generation — I'm pretty sure most Americans don't even know Flag Day is a holiday. Her father was the first postmaster of Chicagoland's Fox River Grove Post Office, as seen in this undated photograph.

Happy Flag Day!

This flag is proudly flying in front of Fred's General Mercantile on Beech Mountain.