In my mind I'm gone to Carolina

In my mind I'm gone to Carolina
Can't you see the sunshine?
Can't you just feel the moonshine?
And, ain't it just like a friend of mine
To hit me from behind?
Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind
James Taylor

I went to Charlotte, North Carolina in my mind and literally a couple of weeks ago.  It was heaven.  It is so beautiful and green it is hard to believe.  Growing up and living in the west almost all of my life, I remember the first time I went to Virginia and saw all the green trees as the plane landed.  There were trees as far as the eyes could see.  Roads cut through never ending groves of trees.  North Carolina is no exception and it is something to behold. It is also something to get use to since I'm more comfortable seeing my surroundings for miles in any direction.  That isn't possible when you live in a forest.
The BEST part was seeing little Charlie man and Dave and Courtney.  Charlie had just learned to walk and he was busting a move and walking all over the place, all the while holding his little chubby arms in the air to balance himself.  We took some wonderful walks through the surrounding neighborhoods and shopping centers and a couple of drives through the city to get a lay of the land.  Charlotte is a beautiful and sprawling city. I helped them get packed up and ready to move to their next assignment.  It was so much fun to spend time with them and to chat and chat for hours on end. I'm so proud of this young family and for the good life they have carved out for themselves!

Here we go, off on an adventure!

The skyline of Charlotte.  It is a financial center with lots of banks.

Meeting Dave for lunch and seeing where he
 worked.  His building is in the background.

Charlie rocking his shades going out for an adventure.

This baby boy loves books.  Lots and lots of books.

Courtney and I went to breakfast with Jenny
 who is a great family friend.  We chatted for
 hours and enjoyed getting caught up.
 She and her family also live in Charlotte!

In front of Dave and Courtney's apartment

Darling Courtney having some play time
 with Charlie who was laughing his head off.

Enjoying some southern cooking at Mac's.

No meal would be complete without lots
 of different choices for BBQ sauce.  Yum!

I've never seen this phenomenon anywhere else
 but the south...using pine needles as ground cover and mulch.
  Cool!

The view outside of Dave and Courtney's
 apartment...trees all around.

Getting out and walking around a beautiful lake

Sitting pretty in his Cadillac stroller!

Off to church

The cute family

Packing up and moving out

Some stuff stayed in Charlotte and some stuff went to Boston

Goodby my sweet little friend! Until we meet again.