Did you miss me?

It's been a while, a month to be exact, since it last made an entry. Moving down to High Falls, Georgia has been a non stop adventure with my buddy Justin. 

Justin is the youngest of my friends that I've stayed with and life is nonstop for him, and for me since I arrived. We've been down in Florida more than what we have been in Georgia. The first weekend we attended an exotic animal auction. We've visited old friends and made new ones. 

The country side around here is very rural and we have taken hikes down by the river. 

I can honestly say that I have lived more in the last month hanging out with this beautiful young soul than I have in a very long time. He has made me realize that I'm not old yet and that there's still so much to live for. 

Life in High Falls is very different than anything else I have ever known. The struggles in small Southern Towns are real and everyone does the best they can. I have always been proud of myself in being a very accepting individual. I have friends from all walks of life, some with all the more new they will ever need a n their lifetime and some that struggle on a daily basis for the basic necessities. The thing I can say is that every single one of them has opened up their home, and hearts to me without hesitation. 

Some might see falling barns. I see history and think about all that has taken place in such places. I don't see the old but rather the beauty in the wrinkles of time!

Sometimes time just stands still in some places and for me it gives me peace and time for reflection on how lucky I am in having what I do. This year my friends have taught me, and given me, something I thought I had lost. The room in my heart to love others unconditionally is something hard to achieve but it would s possible. I chose to concentrate on the positive while on my adventures and let go and f the negative. I've been pretty good at it and I once again thank my friends for it. 

We had the opportunity to go and visit Zoo Atlanta. They are doing a great job with their Pandas.

As well as their Gorillas.....

As well as their Orangutans. 

We've done countless other things that I never thought I would do but that's for another post, or maybe a book in the future!

I want to leave 2015 remembering how lucky I am to have lived an undiscribeably amazing year!

Thank you Justin for giving me back some of my youth and remember the promise we made to each other. You are an amazing, and beautiful young man that deserves all that life has in store for you. 

With all my love!

Leaving Leland, NC

John Messmer was a Facebook acquaintance for a while before I met him in person about four weeks ago. Now I can say that he and John are my friends. They opened up their beautiful home to me without hesitation and showed me everything North and South Carolina coasts have to offer. 

I never leave my host homes without taking their picture by MotelMiguel and this was not going to be any different. I literally took this tonight because it has been the only time you could get both of them at the same time. Poor John M. Was already in his pajamas, please don't judge him just because this is the South!

From the very first time I met John M. He was a true southern gentleman. He took my friend Mark and I around and showed us the beach, the Fort Fischer Aquarium, took us to Caseys Southern Buffet where I ate pigs feet for the first time....

The pier at Wrightsville Beach.....

This guy having a blast with his dog. I don't think he had planned to go out n the water with him but sometimes impromptu fun is the best kind of fun to let go of lifes pressures!

This seemed to be the end of surf season and most of the vacation crowd was gone. I really enjoyed going to the beaches and enjoying their true beauty without any crowds....

Columbia beach was so peaceful and quiet. I liked going out and just looking for shore birds and anything else that caught my eye...

Like the sand sculptures left behind during low tide....

Making a connection with the birds....

Getting to meet Norma Jean, the Standard Schnauzer, being silly and digging in the sand....

The free souls of youth....

The first time seeing wild dolphins and actually capturing a distant photo of one totally out of the water. 

Sometimes a simple feather on the sand made me go off into another world, for a moment forgetting all of the negative life challenges us with on a daily basis....

I will always remember Dawn, the beautiful lady that helps John around the farm...

And her grumpy husband Sam. I'm sure most of the time it's just an act but deep down he's a softie!

I'm thankful for being around friends on Thanksgiving that have just come into my life but made me feel as part of the family. 

Being here for about three weeks has done my soul a lot of good. Being at certain spots like this one below at the right time and place to capture it makes me realize that I made the right get choice in doing this adventure. 

I was walking down Holden Beach the morning I captured the picture above, I got very emotional because it really made me think how thankful I am for all of my friends and I had to scribble it on the sand and capture it to remind myself not to take anyone for granted. If it weren't for friends back home helping me, family being there for me and everyone else who has been a part of my life the last year opening their homes to me, all of this would not be possible. 

My feet touching the Atlantic Coast for the first time ever...

I stopped and watched this man capture the beauty of the carriage horses in Wilmington waterfront district. 

There are many historic sites around the coast and Fort Fischer has some beautiful scenes...

The trees are incredible...

The shoreline is bright with all the vibrant colors...

It's waves attract many surfers. I met one that welcomed me to the area and even told me to take as many pictures as I wanted. 

The bird life in the area is incredible. I got some amazing photos of many birds and other wildlife. 

There is so much I'm missing here but have saved in my heart, in my mind and in the memories I take with me. 

Thank you John and John for all that you have given me these last three weeks. You guys have huge hearts and a beautiful home. 

Until we meet again!

Thanksgiving 2015 in N Carolina

I'm so thankful this year for my family back home, I really miss them, and I know they miss me. I'm extremely thankful for my friends all over the world but especially to all the ones who have been so gracious in opening their homes to me while I'm on my adventure across this great country of ours. 

This year I got to spend Thanksgiving with John Messmer and John Barrett along with Dee Barrett, Jim Huskey, Ken Kimbro and some of their friends at their home here in Leland, N Carolina

They really went all out for this dinner and their home looked beautiful with all of the decorations starting right at the front door. 

The entry is beautiful with the snow flocked trees!

Dee Barrett in the entry hallway. 

The sitting room is very peaceful and also has a beautiful tree in it. 

The glass room has this magnificent tree in it decorated with full size peacocks. 

Hard at work in the kitchen checking on the turkey. The Johns really did a great job on the feast for the evening. 

The table was beautiful!

Dee brought a chocolate sleigh and I bet it's delicious!

The kitchen is always a great gathering place before enjoying the meal!

John, Ken and Jim hesitantly sitting for my camera!  

Thank you John and John for having me at your table this Thanksgiving. Your home is beautiful and I hope you get the opportunity to come and visit me in Los Angeles someday.