Happy 40th Birthday Amy!

Last month we loaded up the Orlando family truckster and headed south for a week of touring to celebrate Amy's 40th birthday. First stop, Charlotte and Asheville, North Carolina.

Biltmore, the "country home" of George and Edith Vanderbilt, was finished in 1895. With 250 rooms, it is the largest private home in the US and is only about 133,000 more square feet than our house! The tour was excellent as was the Biltmore's own brew pub, which was a highlight for Jason.

Next stop, Savannah, Georgia, home of pirates, ghosts, and southern chef Paula Deen. Our tour guide clailmed that this house (above) inspired Walt Disney's Haunted Mansion.

More fantasic Savannah architecture.

Savannah is famous for its Spanish Moss hanging from trees.

Amy and Sophie at Savannah's Forsythe Park.

Arrgh!! Sophie eating dinner at the haunted "Pirate House" restaurant.

Here's Sophie totally freaked our after hearing some of the real ghost stories (it didn't stop her from getting a lollipop though!).

Amy and her new pirate friend. Ahoy there, mateys!

The lighthouse at Tybee Island on the shore about 30 minutes from Savannah.

Our Southern Belle

Jason on the pier at Tybee beach. No surf though, bummer.

Amy's big 40 fell on our first day in Charleston, South Carolina. Here she is about to dig into her surprise b-day cake.

One of the many church steeples that dot the skyline of Charleston

Famous Charleston-style architecture, with the side porches and palm trees.

Colorful houses on "Rainbow Row"

It was a great trip and we're looking forward to heading back, hopefully before we turn 50!