solo travel

Nantucket Island, the Gray Lady

Published on May 27, 2021May 27, 2021 by Photo Girl1 Comment

My rental car rattled over the old cobble stone road as I made my way into the historic town of Nantucket. Tourists were strolling the sidewalks dripping with flowers in window boxes. I was fresh off the red eye from San Jose to JFK and then JFK to Nantucket so I was feeling a little tired. The smell in the air was a mixture of fresh roasted coffee and the ocean. I was in love. I found my way to Union Street and into a tight parking place and sighed, it finally felt like I was on vacation. The hotel I had selected was a mid 18th century B&B and it was lovely. The cobblestone roads and brick laid cross walks made me feel like I was stepping back in time. Below are a few photos from my visit on the island… I wish I could send you the smell of fresh cut grass and sea roses. Enjoy! Shelley D

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Nantucket Island,the Gray Lady

Published on August 8, 2018August 14, 2018 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

The car rattled over the old cobble stone road and I made my way into the historic town of Nantucket. Tourists stroll along the sidewalks dripping with dense flowers in window boxes. I’m fresh off the red eye from San Jose to JFK and then JFK to Nantucket so feeling a little tired. The smell in the air is a mixture of fresh roasted coffee and the ocean. I’m in love. I find my way to Union Street and into a tight parking place on the Union Street Inn property and sigh, I finally feel like I’m on vacation. The hotel is a mid 18th century B&B and it’s lovely. One of my favorite parts of the town are the cobblestone roads and the brick laid cross walks. It’s like stepping back in time. Here are a few photos from my first day on the island…

I’ll write more on the hotel in a separate post. But now I want to take you through the town with my photos. I wish I could send you the smell of fresh cut grass and sea roses. Here are some photos from my first day 💗💗💗

Decorating Early

Published on November 23, 2013December 16, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

Ahhhh…yes…..I love the holidays! It’s early…and I’m owning it. Its time to crack out the decorations! 😉 Hope you decorate early too!

Biltmore Estate Decked Out

Published on November 17, 2013November 17, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

People who know me know I LOVE the holidays. It starts with Halloween and my giddiness extends through Christmas. Yes, my house is the one decorated for Halloween in September and Christmas in November. Unlike many if you I gasp in delight when the Christmas decorations are decked out in the stores in September. So when I was looking into a trip location in November I was thrilled to find out one of my favorite places would be decorated for the holidays: The Biltmore Estate. The photos below are ones from my visit. The first one is of the tree in the dining room. Here’s a close up.

The tree is a 40 foot fresh cut tree a and the smell is incredible. They said that they decorate so early that on December 3rd they will take this one down and put a fresh on up overnight. They would decorate the tree hanging the presents on the branches so the estate keeps the same tradition which you see in the above photo. It you’re lucky they will be playing Silent Night on the organ and the music will float throughout the house. Here are some more photos.

Above are the trees across the room from the 40 foot tree by a massive fireplace. You have to stop and imagine what the room was like with the fires a blaze and the lighted and decorated trees glowing on Christmas Eve….

The library.

Many of the rooms have period dress which is very interesting to see. The women must have been no taller than 5 feet tall. The dresses are tiny!

After your tour, head over to the area with the shops and order a hot chocolate and stroll through the gardens and shops. Me, by my favorite lion.

The first day photo with my lion.

Actually during the first photo I got photo bombed by the cutest kid 😉

Second day… Yes I am obsessed with this handsome guy.

And the last day the put a bow on him!❤️❤️❤️

If you are able to tour the Biltmore Estate over the next two months I hope you do!!! You will not regret it. Also, now they are doing evening candle light tours who’s must be incredible. We will your the grounds in my next blog and also take a walk out to bass pond throughout the wooded forest. Sending everyone early holiday cheer!

Some links for more information: http://www.biltmore.com/ and http://www.biltmore.com/visit

#BACON Anyone? My Breakfast at the #Biltmore

Published on November 7, 2013November 8, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

While staying at the Biltmore Inn, I am on what they call the bed and breakfast package. I have to confess I usually don’t eat breakfast and consider the large amounts of cream that I pour into my coffee to be enough. But the Biltmore Inn has one of the best so I splurge and load up for the day. The photos below are a combination taken over the last two days.

I personally LoVe the buffet which offers a lox area with everything you could ever want to load onto a slice if salmon.

Fresh fruit.

You can also have them make a custom omelet (I always order everything with extra spinach). And the bacon is some of the best I have ever had.

And my lox plate.

Finally, the topper is that the have cheese grits which melt in you mouth!

Here’s the omelette bar where they will cook it to order. And some photos of the restaurant where can either sit by the window and watch the sunrise, or maybe you’d prefer to sit by a crackling fire, perfect for a fall morning.

This is where I’m sitting right now, I’ll finish and then one last walk to the Estate. So sad this is my last day.

Sorry, the omelette bar didn’t upload and I’m attempting all of this on my phone and can’t figure out how to insert an image above 😉

And finally a photo of the most amazing bacon ever! (Not including Vermont bacon.) off to the Estate!

#Biltmore Inn – Absolute Heaven

Published on November 7, 2013November 7, 2013 by Photo GirlLeave a comment

After a 6 hour drive from the Monticello area in Virginia I arrived at one of my favorite places- The Biltmore Inn and Estate. I swear, any stress you may have is left at the door. The place is enchanting! I was here for the first time two years ago in the spring so I hope you’ll take a look at those posts (note Biltmore tab over on the right) since these include how to get there, my secret walk, etc, I’ll use these posts as a way of sharing my stay during the fall season. One huge difference is that everything is decorated for the holidays which I LOVE! But first, before I take you to the Estate I’ll share some photos of the Inn. The one above is the view from my room. You can see the pathway that takes you past the vineyards to the winery and Antler Village. Now, let’s take a look inside.

I love this room (above photos) just off the lobby. You can sit by the fire and enjoy a drink. In the morning they offer complimentary coffee (I love when hotels do that) below are some photos of my room.

The next photos show the veranda where I sit every evening.

The long beautiful hallway where I walk each morning to exit the hotel for my walks.

In the next blogs I’ll take you outside so you can see the grounds, have you join me for breakfast and an evening glass of wine. I’ll show you the farm and Antler village. We’ll wine taste and of course visit the Estate. Please click on the follow button for email updates on my posts.