The Joy is in the Journey

I love to travel.  The thought of visiting new places and discovering new things thrills and excites me.  Every year, Nuno and I try to get away with our girls to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Some years we've stayed close to home, other years, we've flown to far-away places. But, my favorite way to travel is by car.  I love road trips.  As some of you may know, I am not a fan of air travel, although, if I have to fly to get somewhere, I will.  

This year, we decided to rent a car and drive down south to Florida.  We had flown to Orlando, Florida, once before, but this time, we drove - approximately 2100 km or 1300 miles (each way).  I cannot tell you how wonderful the drive was!  My girls were the most wonderful road companions.  Not once, did they complain about the drive or how long it was going to take to get there.  The joy was in the journey and in the places we saw along the way.  

OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! 

On day one of our trip, we drove from our home in Barrie, Ontario to the Canada/US border at Niagara Falls, and on through the states of New York, Pennsylvania,  and West Virginia!

One of the most breathtaking sights along the way were the mountain views in the state of West Virginia.

We had to pull over to take in the majestic landscape.  It was simply stunning!

We stayed overnight in West Virginia and then headed out again in the early morning hours towards the state of Virginia; boasting equally breath-taking mountain and valley views.  

On day two, we continued driving through the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.  It was almost lunch hour as we neared toward the city of Savannah, Georgia.  We decided to stop there for lunch.  And thank goodness, we did!

 

GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN!

It was stifling hot and so humid when we arrived in Savannah.  Honestly, I couldn't care less because my heart skipped a beat when I found myself in this beautiful city.  What a wonderful, unexpected surprise!  This enchanting place stole my heart - the architecture, the gardens, the squares, the food, oh my goodness!  

 My girls and I in the city market square

For lunch, we ate chicken gumbo at the old Pirates' House restaurant 

We browsed through some of the shops and walked along the city streets and squares.

 Time flew way too quickly and we had to say goodbye to Savannah.  I hoped we would return here on our way back home.  The state of Florida was coming up next.  How exciting!  We were almost there!!

Stay tuned for my next post...

Then and Now and Thank you!

This was me then...

This photo was taken the day I put my braces on, over two years ago, on February 10, 2010.  That was me, smiling.  Do you see the open gap in the front; between my top and bottom teeth?  I had an open bite and an over bite!  My teeth were crooked and my mouth was just a mess. 

I struggled with the thought of getting braces for years.  I wore braces once before when I was eleven for about a year.  My teeth were straight after the treatment, but when my wisdom teeth came out, I was afraid to remove them and they eventually squeezed in and forced all my other teeth into places they should never have gone. 

I had to pull out four teeth and do several periodontal treatments before the orthodontist would even think of putting braces on me.  It was a long hard road, but I focused on the end the result. 

And now, two years and three months later...

This is me now!

This photo was taken as I was arriving home from the orthodontist.  It was all worth it and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.  It sure feels good!

The journey is not exactly over.  I will be picking up my retainer on Wednesday.  I will have to wear it full time (except to eat and brush) for the first few months, and eventually only at night.  But who cares, right??

I just want to take a moment to thank my biggest supporters:  my husband, my daughters and my Mom who are always there for me, no matter what.  And of course, my family and friends on facebook and twitter.  Thank you so much for all your support these past two years.  It's such a blessing to have so many dear ones around me.

I picked up a dozen assorted muffins for the staff at my Orthodontist's office

to say "Thank you".  Since it would be impossible to send a muffin to each one of you,

I hope you will accept a virtual muffin as a token of my thanks and appreciation!  

Happy Sunday!  Wishing you a fabulous week, filled with wonderful

things to smile about! xoxo