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A Resort Girl’s Sweet Guest Suite

July 15, 2015

Yes, it is moving week and another chapter closes in this Resort Girl’s life adventure. And what an amazing offer from a sweet, kind, and very fine RG friend, Darlene, to offer me her guest suite. What a sweet one it is!

Her RG home overlooks the May River with unparalleled views of the marshlands surrounded by the native shrubs and grasses. I did notice one of those was ragweed, however, and quickly I knew why I sneezed.

PalmTreeRGGuestSuite

I sat there chilling in her little window nook, looking out at nature’s beauty. It was a great break from the weeks of looking at boxes, chaos and the yeses, noes, stays, and goes. Downsizing is one of life’s adventures for those who, like me, are entering their retirement years. Oh, how we accumulate! Well this RG does like to try, taste and experience a lot—and take things home many times. Then one day you say to yourself, “Where did all this stuff come from and where it is going?”

Away this time! It is not following me… well some of it is… into storage for now. My dream condo turned out to have blue cheese on the walls. Mold is good on cheese but not on your home walls. So, this RG is still on search for her next island digs. And to my little mountain town home I will be driving in a week, and you will see a whole new set of adventures coming in the next few weeks. A change of latitude and higher altitudes.

As for now, I am dipping my toes in the infinity pool as the butterflies fly by – realizing just how quickly life flies by.

InfinityPool

The wind blows upon the native ferns, making their leaves look almost like delicate arms cheering me on to my next life chapter with big smiles. Cheers to the next chapter in all Resort Girl’s lives – keep on course, steering forward, and try not to turn back (too often). Most of all RGs, always be exploring new paths! Unless you are a cat – you only live once!

Reflect

Like The Palm Tree, Resort Girls Bend But Don’t Break

October 9, 2015

Is a Resort Girl’s backbone strong, like a palm tree? Bending, but not breaking, in the strong winds of life.

A few months back during my suite stay, a fierce thunderstorm came rolling in from the river. I watched the winds violently bash against the trees and underbrush, but the palm trees caught my eye as they stayed strong against the fierce winds just swaying and losing only their dead limbs. The other trees, however, bent wildly with large healthy branches crashing down into the marsh.

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So, when I read a passage in my local paper comparing a woman’s backbone to the strength of a palm tree, it sparked this blog.

DawnChere´ Wilkerson of Rendezvous, Miami spoke using this analogy at The Divine Women’s conference held in Gainesville, GA. Her message was for women to, “…stand strong against their pasts and their flaws.”

According to research, the palm tree has also historically stood for peace and paradise, with many using the term, “Let him bear the palm who deserved it.” And. of course, the coconut palm is a symbol associated with the tropics on flags and seals.

So, when a Resort Girl says, “I want a piece of paradise,” there will most likely be a palm tree involved. For me, this was true. It was one of my Ps for my Perfect lifestyle Plan. Each morning when I popped open my window, there it stood—my very own palm tree in my little courtyard.

But, now this Resort Girl will look differently at my palm tree:

The palm tree.

It will become a symbol of moving forward and staying strong in the winds of life.

It will serve as a reminder of keeping a strong foundation both physically, mentally, and spiritually.

It will be a reminder of the victories in life.

It will give a sense of paradise and peace.

This Resort Girl is happy to have her palm tree as part of building her Perfect lifestyle. Is a Palm tree part of your Ps of your Perfect life, Resort Girls?

PalmSunrisePbluffRiver

Photo Credit: Tom McManners

Relax

The Intimacy of an Inn- for Resort Girl Romantic Adventures

February 11, 2019

It’s the month of February and “Love is in the Air”. The Valentine’s holiday falls right smack dab in the middle of the month, bestowing upon it the reputation as the month of love.

When it comes to a planning a romantic travel adventure, very few accommodations can compare to the intimacy of an inn. Romance is definitely on the itinerary when checking into a remote, quaint and even historic inn to Relax, Reflect, Recharge and Reconnect. The term “inn” is usually associated with a rural setting, and many offer romantic settings – located in places enhanced by nature, such as seashores, orchards, vineyards, or remote mountain tops. Many others can be found in the centers of small, picturesque towns situated along rural highways.

These characteristics afford not only a serene setting, but also a chance for intimate dinners, adventures in nature, gorgeous sunsets and sunrises, and walks in spectacular parks. And that brings me to one of my favorite inns, located in Madison, Georgia.

As you know by now, I prefer to travel the back roads and I find U.S. Route 441 is a good option to see the sights of small-town Georgia.

On this GPS route sits the beautiful and historic town of Madison, Georgia. This small Georgia hamlet is rich in history and architecture that includes many antebellum homes dotting the center of the town. And here, you can also find a charming inn – the lovely James Madison Inn.

As with most inns, there are only a few rooms and each one has its own individual flair. Evoking the atmosphere of days gone by, the comfortable rooms are decorated with antique four poster canopy beds, fluffed with rows of white pillows and many feature a set of vintage-inspired chairs in front of a roaring fireplace. In other rooms, you may find a small balcony overlooking the park, town square or the railroad.

As a writer and poet, my mind imagines the days of old as I walk the streets, photographing old homes and taking in the historic markers. One picture that comes to my mind shows these same train tracks dropping off couples coming to visit this once booming town many decades ago. Men in top hats and long black coats walking with arms entwined with women in fine flowing gowns strolling down these brick-lined streets and checking in to this historic inn as the sun set.

Romance was in the air…and still is in this captivating town.

And if you keep traveling up U.S. 441 you will encounter another one of my favorite inns – the Old Edward Inn in Highlands, North Carolina. Highlands is a popular destination for Atlanta folks who long for a quick weekend getaway. Mountains surround this scenic town and the streets are lined with small boutiques and high-profile cafés such as Wolfgang’s, serving an eclectic menu of German, American & Cajun cuisine. In the summer months, the city comes alive with wine gardens.

But in the winter months, the inn offers a lovely setting with plenty of glowing fireplaces in the rooms as well as the libraries and lounges. But don’t think you must be a couple to enjoy these inns. Last year, I took my mother with me to the Old Edwards Inn. She lives in an independent living home and enjoys quick vacays. My parents lived close by Highlands and my father is buried there…so we travel up that way many times to pay our love and respect. This time, my mother and I kept on driving up to Highlands.

We had a fine time as we strolled down the cobblestone streets, arms entwined, to shop the boutiques and snack on some sweets. After grabbing an early dinner at one of the local cafés, we then retreated to our beautiful suite. As we changed into our Resort Girl sweatshirts, we sat in front of the warm fireplace. As we chatted, I asked my mother to tell her love story about she and my father. Her face lit up just like the fire when she spoke of her early days with my beloved father. And the love stories kept coming with the warmth of the fireplace near. Nothing could take the place of that lovely night with my mother and her memories. Love was in the air.

If you prefer more of a romantic “stay-cation”, our lovely towns of Hilton Head and Bluffton offer some wonderful inns and impressive settings. One of my personal all-time favorites is the Inn and Club at Harbour Town. Even though the rooms do not have fireplaces, you can warm up at the cozy, burning hearth in the welcoming library. The location of the inn offers strolls to the seashore, delightful cafés and stunning balcony views of the famous green links.

So, consider an inn for your next romantic getaway. February is the month of “Love” – whether it’s a new love, a life-long love or a beloved friend or family member. Delight in the love in your life! Maybe this is the year cupid’s arrow hits you…remember…love is ageless.

Relax, Reflect, Recharge and have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Recharge, Relax

Resort Girl Roadtrip: A Relative Road Trip to Ritz Grande Lakes

April 8, 2015
Resort-Girl-Roadtrip

One of my most memorable Resort Girl Roadtrips (RGR) was two years ago with my niece, Caroline Oliver. She was single at the time, and I was just divorced, so we decided to meet up at the Grande Lakes Ritz Carlton to relax and recharge. Both of us are totally into relaxing SPA vacations! The Orlando Ritz has a gorgeous spa and beautiful attached adults-only pool. We wanted to “escape to a grand place where the soul is nourished, the spirit is revived and body transformed.”

What I love about the Orlando Ritz is that you never need to leave the property once you arrive. One of my RGR desires is to have the limo drop me off and never see another car until one picks me up and takes me to the airport to return home. At this Ritz, you can dine, spa, swim, play tennis and even golf  – all within walking distance, and the scenery is breathtaking, as it is located at the headwaters of the Everglades.

One way to make sharing a room easier is to request a suite. Generally, you get an extra, small powder room and each Resort Girl has her own makeup sink! A must… not to mention, the room closes off to provide quiet space for each RG to individually relax and recharge.

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My favorite RG event on this trip, however, was enjoying high tea. We got to sit and chat while sipping tasty teas, allowing for long conversations – something that is missing in today’s tech world. We were also able to having tasting bites – many organic – and lively conversation while lunching poolside with hotel dining.

When our stay was over, our souls were nourished, our spirits were revived and our bodies were transformed! So, consider taking a relative along on your next Resort Girl Roadtrip.

Find out more about Grande Lakes here.