I couldn't help but wish my grandmother was still alive. Lois Parnell loved her orchids. She raised them by hand... cared for them like I care for my sweet dog, Poochie.
Like many of you, I didn't even know North Carolina HAD an Orchid Conservatory, so when photojournalist David Weatherly and I made the commute to Belmont, a small town just south of Charlotte on Interstate 85, we were both blown away by the beauty.
Located inside the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, the Orchid Conservatory is a tranquil getaway from the daily grind. This glass house is home to thousands of tropical plants, with the 5-story wall of orchids being the star.
It only cost 10 bucks to get in - and that includes walking through the rest of the gardens which contains lovely foliage and fountains. It's a great respite, a wonderful way to spend a day.
The thing I found most fascinatng is how people of all ages enjoyed the Orchid Conservatory equally. It was a great "leveler" for people from 25 to 95.
So, if you're looking for a relaxing way to spend the day, as well as a place that won't bust your budget, the Orchid Conservatory on the northern shores of Lake Wylie is the place for you.
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TV Reporter, NASCAR wife, Mom. From the time I was 10 years old, I knew I would become a journalist. That was when I had my first article published in the St. Petersburg Times. The story was about our class trip to the Museum of Fine Arts, but I was hooked. And I'm still a news hawk - I admit it. I feel extremely privileged to tell other people's stories. I love people, I love being out in the field interacting with people and wouldn't trade it for anything. I was born and raised in the Sunshine State. A fifth-generation Native Floridian, I graduated from Florida State University (go Seminoles!) - the same university my mom, my aunts, my cousins and even my sister attended. I am married to Danny "Chocolate" Myers. Chocolate was the gasman for the late Dale Earnhardt for nearly 20 years and still works with Richard Childress Racing, only now he's in "management". He also hosts a radio show each day from 11 to 3 on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 128 called "Tradin' Paint." I lost a 10-year-old daughter, Brandy, to leukemia. She was sick for five years. During that time, I spent countless nights at the Ronald McDonald House and logged countless hours with her in and out of the hospital, going through bone marrow aspirates and spinal taps and finally an autologous bone marrow transplant. She was bright and beautiful and I thank God every day for the time we had together. I am also blessed to be the mother of Alexi Nichole. Alexi attends Davidson County Community College, works at the Childress Vineyards and is a "semi-professional wake-boarder!" Last year we sold our old home in Lexington and moved fulltime to the log cabin on High Rock Lake. Some of my favorite sayings are: "God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good." "The events of my life, the circumstances of my life and the people around me in my life do not MAKE me the way I am, they REVEAL the way I am." "Carpe Diem - Seize the Day" and "Here am I, Lord, send me."
Member Since: 9/9/2006
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