Welcome

Welcome to our blog website. This blog was initially created to help family and friends find their way to and around the mountains for our wedding celebration on April 16th, 2011. A year later in May of 2012, I started to share the story of finding home. Now another year later in 2013 we have found ourselves on yet another journey. This blog is my way of sharing my love for Jack.

Monday, May 14, 2012

The beginning of us.



My Mother was dying.
Seems like such an easy thing to say, but it still brings a lump to my throat, a pain in my chest and tears streaming down my face.
  
My Father has just passed... it seemed like it was just a moment ago, but it was close to 4 years earlier, in August of 2003.  A month after he passed, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Diagnosed from a lump she found herself.  Thank God she found it.


But, both those are other stories for another time.  This is a story of 5 years ago.  The story of us.


My family had brought my Mother to Kentucky to live with Mary Ann in August if 2006.  You see, she had a Leukemia that occurs as a result of myelodysplasia which is notoriously resistant to treatment.   While staying with Mary Ann we would all come over and be with Mother to help her.  She was getting weaker.  A lot of these times more than one would be hanging out with Mother.  My brother, had just gotten divorced and wanted to get back to dating.  He talked me into getting online to "test' the waters.  I got on match.  He also said "you're fishing, cast a wide net for a bigger pool".  Well, I had already dated someone in the mountains, so what the heck.  It seemed to be perfect for me... someone I could date and all and but I would still get all my personal space and freedom.   


Looking around match I found this one guy who just caught my attention.  Being kinda old fashion (and because Tony said so) I looked and I looked often but never made a move!  He was one of my favorite favorites if you know what I mean.   He could see who was looking at his profile and kept seeing me checking him out.


Finally one day I get this :0)

Match.com alert: happyjack13 has winked at you!
Saturday, April 21, 2007 4:16 PM



happyjack13

He just winked at you!
Email him now!
Return his wink
He's a:
47-year-old man
seeking women 32-46
in Boone, NC, US
He says
I have done a lot and look to do less in a mo ...
Not interested?

Give happyjack13 the courtesy of knowing you're not interested. Say "no thanks."
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Finding Home...

This blog was create to help family and friends to find our wedding celebration.
I now want to tell you about finding my home.
The events that happened 5 years ago in the lives of 2 little people 368 miles apart.  Events, that had happened in their lives to that point, had to happen for them to be exactly where they were, where they were meant to be at that time.

Five years ago, my Mother was dying.

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Friday, May 6, 2011

More photos of the wedding

Our brother-in=law, John Fogg also took some photos at the wedding and had uploaded his to this smugmug site before I created the shared site. You Must check them out.. He is a fantastic photographer - and his captions are great!!!!

http://jfogg.smugmug.com/Weddings/Helen-and-Jacks-Wedding
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Thanks

Thank you to everyone who braved the monsoon rains, flooding, tornadoes and who knows what else to join us in our celebration! What an adventure it was!!!! We are humbled by the enormous efforts made by everyone to come. And I believe a good time was had by all!

We've created a smug mug site for pictures. Check it out!
http://barnes-rielly.smugmug.com/Weddings/adventures-in-Matrimony

If you have pictures we would love to see them!

Also we'd love to hear your stories of getting to the celebration. Whether you had to carry the cake down the mountain, hike down, or come with the clothes on your back!

Oh, and next year for our one year anniversary... we'll be carrying the cake top piece down the mountain to the Riverside, where we will drink a couple bottles of wine, eat cake and then hike it back up the mountain! Anyone care to join us?

Truly ...Love is everywhere... thanks for sharing in ours!
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Monday, April 11, 2011

Weather and such

Remember to check on the weather before you come... right now they are calling for rain.  (We are hoping that systems stalls or moves quicker than anticipated).  So be prepared and bring a jacket/sweater.  And remember to wear comfortable clothing for dancing and pig pickin'! See the weather link below.  If you have any questions about directions, dress or anything else - shoot us an email.

Be advised the GPS directions typically DO NOT work in Todd.  Why - we don't know... but it gets confused on the street names.  If you get lost or confused, put Todd city center in -  it will get you to town (okay so it's just a bend in the road).  Go into the Todd Mercantile and ask Em for directions ;~)

See you Saturday!
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Friday, April 1, 2011

Ceremony and Celebration

We are planning to have a small ceremony upstairs at the Riverside starting at 4pm.  Afterwards we will start the party with Bar-B-Que from Tipton's in North Wilkes  and music.

Many people have asked us what they should wear.  We would like to keep it upscale casual, jeans and nice shirt, country dance, old timey attire.

Music will be provided by husband and wife duo Steve and Anita Napier, The Tillers and Twist of Fate featuring Jack and guest drummer, our nephew Ted Mellen. 



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Weather in Todd

Deciding what to wear can sometimes be challenging in the mountains, you should plan on bringing a jacket since the nights tend to get chilly. The best website Jack and I have found for forecasting the weather in Todd and surrounding areas is Rays Weather.
I always check the Boone weather site, but there are sites for Ashe County, Asheville, and just about anywhere else you may want to go in the high country... but you need to know what county or city!


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Thursday, March 24, 2011

Map of NC High Country

For a GREAT downloadable map of the area clink here
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Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Fun things to do in and around Todd

There is something for everyone in the North Carolina mountains, whether your an avid outdoors person - into hiking, biking, fishing or just someone who likes to admire a great view, to a art, antique or bargain shopper, or a food aficionado.

Click on the links to find out more details on what you are interested in.

In Todd:
Stop by the Todd Mercantile and say hi to Emilie and Kirsten.  The mercantile is full of art from local artists and the Todd Mahal Bakery - that always has yummy fresh baked goodies.   Nice place to sit on the new front porch and enjoy a cup of joe and pastry.  This also happens to be the home of the world famous Heart of the High Country Realty!  Jack's new company with his friends Jim Lewis and Walt Franzen.

For all you outdoor needs in the area stop by River Girl Fishing Co.  and see Kelly.  Whether you want to kayak, bike or learn how to fly fish (or improve your cast) Kelly can help you out!  She knows what lures are best for the area and the season and can point you to a great spot to wet your fly!  Check her out!  Plus you just may run into her son Finn or Petunia the pig!

Boone and Blowing Rock are just south of Todd and offer everything for the food and wine enthusiast to Tanger Outlet shops. 

To the north on Rt. 194 is the Town of West Jefferson.  This is is where you will find the Ashe County Cheese Factory.  They give tours and have a great assortment of cheeses available to buy... even what is know as squeeky cheese in Wisconsin!  Across the street is a very nice boutique for one of a kind dresses called Everything I Love (unfortunately no website). 

For those who care to visit the mountain that made me fall in love with the area, Grandfather Mountain, it is about 40 minutes south on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The parkway also has many trails for every level hiker.

Let me know if there is anything you find that you would like to know more about!  Jack and I love these mountains, and know you will too!  We look forward to seeing you in April!
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Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Directions from Cincinnati/Lexington/Knoxville

I-75 South to I-640 East toward Asheville. (just north of Knoxville).
It merges with I-40 East... stay on this for 27 miles when you will exit/merge onto I-81 North towards Bristol.
Stay on 81-N for 56 miles.
Take exit 57A to merge onto I-26 E/US-23 S toward Asheville/Johnson City
after 15 miles Take exit 24 for US-321/TN-67 toward Elizabethton,
Turn right off exit onto US-321, in Elizabethton there is a slight left turn (about 8 miles from exit)
Follow US-321 Turning right at US-321 N/US-321 Scenic S
About 5 miles down the road you will turn left following US-321 S/US-321 Scenic S
This is a 2 lane curvey road. and you are about an hour from Todd. You will stay on US-321 until it merges with US 421 in Sugar Grove... US-421/US 321 will take you into Boone. Follow US-421 down King Street.
You will drive through a little bit of construction where they recently expanded the road... from here continue on Following Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd. (you will pass a big Baptist Church on the right and Brownwood is the next left at the bottom of the hill.)
Turn left. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.
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Alternative Directions from Charlotte - best during rush hour

From Charlotte area, take I-85 S. Follow until you reach the exit for Hwy 321/Gastonia (exit 17). Take this exit turn left towards Hickory. You will stay on this road through Hickory and Lenior. You will climb the mountain and the road will turn into a two lane road heading into Blowing Rock. Stay on Route 321 through Blowing Rock by-pass and into Boone.
Hwy 321 and Hwy 105 meet at a large intersection with a Wendy's on the left and an Exxon on the right. Turn right onto Hwy 105. Go to the 2nd stoplight and turn right on to Hwy 421. Follow Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd.
Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

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Directions from Boone; Charlotte; Raleigh-Durham

FROM THE INTERSECTION OF HWY 105 & HWY 321 IN BOONE (FOR GPS DIRECTIONS TO THIS POINT USE THE ADDRESS OF 1016 BLOWING ROCK RD, BOONE, NC 28607):

Hwy 321 and Hwy 105 meet at a large intersection with a Wendy's on the left and an Exxon on the right. Turn right onto Hwy 105. Go to the 2nd stoplight and turn right on to Hwy 421. Follow Hwy 421 7.8 miles to Brownwood Rd. Take Brownwood Road and follow until it T's into Railroad Grade Road. Turn right on RR Grade Rd.

From Raleigh/Durham area, take I-40 W towards Winston-Salem. Take Hwy 421 just past Winston-Salem and follow towards Boone. You will climb the mountain and eventually pass underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing under the Parkway, you will come to the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 421. Continue through this intersection, and begin looking for Brownwood Road on the right. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

From Charlotte area, take I-77 N. Follow I-77 until you reach the exit for Hwy 421/Wilkesboro. Take this exit and follow towards Boone. You will climb the mountain and eventually pass underneath the Blue Ridge Parkway. After passing under the Parkway, you will come to the intersection of Hwy 221 and Hwy 421. Continue through this intersection, and begin looking for Brownwood Road on the right. Follow Brownwood for 3.2 miles until you come to a stop sign. Turn right onto Todd Railroad Grade Rd.

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Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Directions from I - 77

DIRECTIONS: From West Virginia, Winston Salem / Charlotte, NC areas:
From Intersection of I-77 & 421: Take HWY 421 North for 42 miles through Wilkesboro and come to the top of the mountain. After traveling under the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will come to the intersection of HWY 421 and HWY 221 (stop light). Turn right here onto HWY 221 North, travel approx 2 miles and make a left onto Cranberry Springs Rd. Travel approx 5 miles to the stop sign, turn right onto Brownwood Road, then cross river bridge and turn right onto Railroad Grade Road.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Lodging available in Todd and nearby Boone

Whether your coming to the mountains for a night or a week there are a couple options sure to fit your fancy. We have a block of rooms being held at the Country Inns & Suites Hotel in Boone. This hotel is about 15 miles to the reception/Todd.
It is located at: 818 East King Street, Boone NC 28607,
Reservations: 1-800-596-2375
Telephone: (828) 264-4234
Email: cx_bnnc@countryinns.com

Map & Directions

We are planning on providing transportation to and from the hotel in Boone and home rentals in the Todd area.

There are also vacation homes for rent close to the reception

The following is a list of cabins in the Todd area that are managed by 4 Seasons currently available for the dates of April 14th- April 17th, 2011. www.4seasonsvacations.com You can go directly on line to reserve.
Green Meadows Estates- Todd, NC
Todd Rail Road Grade Road, Fleetwood, NC
Fleetwood Falls Subdivision, Fleetwood, NC
In addition the following are located in the Fleetwood/Deep Gap area and will be within 15 minutes or less to Todd, NC:

House rentals available from Vacation Rentals By Owner
Other areas nearby to
There are also rentals available by Blue Ridge Vacation Cabins - but you will have to search there website (link here)

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