David, I want to add to what the others have said. I have really missed your posts and gardening comments and those beautiful pictures to make it all come to life for us. I have saved several for reference...you have touched so many lives with your garden, you should be very proud. I hope everythings gets resolved in a satisfactory manner for you and you can get back to gardening, even a tiny one. It is great therapy, as, I am sure, you know. Best wishes from the lower Midwest. gld

You're welcome Shelley. Mine grew in direct, hot, full sun, as did everything else in that garden. In winter, every rose received at least ten hours of sun. The "shade" was far enough away it altered how early or late the sun shined on them. In summer, it was sun up to sun down. September Morn never had to reach for light, which probably dwarfed a number of things due to the intensity of the light. I never remember seeing it more than four feet tall, by about as wide in that garden. I gave it to one of the HOA members when I dismantled the garden, and I see it each time I visit my sister who lives there. She keeps it about three by three feet. Kim

I envy your trip! But I want to warn you of a couple of things. It may sound like I am giving negative info but I am trying to warn you about some aspects of the places you mentioned just so you wont think all of us are crazy if it doesn't live up to your expectations. Driving down the outer banks is something I think everyone must do at least once in their lives but it isn't always the most scenic - some areas are nothing but mega beach homes blocking all the view and for the most part the dunes block the view of the ocean so don't expect to see a lot of waves (the sound side is usually visable but it looks more like a big lake than the ocean). If you want to get out of the car and hike over the dunes to walk on the beach be aware that the beach grass areas are usually full of stickers or sand burrs - I am often reduced to carrying my 60 lbs dog up and over so that the trip doesn't take so long with the constant stopping to pick burrs out of her pads. For the most part the beaches are empty. Most people go to the outer banks to deep sea fish. There isn't a lot of shade either. I love to go out there but prefer to go in the winter so that if I have to leave the dog in the car she doesn't overheat. Ocracoke Island is quaint but since the streets aren't marked it can be difficult to find your way around. The photos always show it from an elevated view - they must have been in a plane to take that picture because the island itself is flat. The lighthouse there is tiny but charming. The grassy areas at the beach campground are full of burrs and difficult to walk around in. Walking a dog through town can be difficult because many residents let their dogs run free. (is there a theme here???) My biggest complaint about Charleston is the plantations. I love touring them. But you don't get to wander around inside the houses by yourself, you are escorted by an interpreter. I understand why, but I am not interested in Civil War history and that is all they seem to think is relevant. I remember one plantation had ancient natural history books and writings by John James Audubon (he had stayed there for years to paint). I could have spent the entire weekend looking at those display cases but in that section of the house we were rushed by to see more war significant features. No matter how many times I asked about the natural history stuff I got nowhere. Civil war and only civil war history, it is apparently the only thing that matters. They also seem to want everyone to eat at the same restaurants downtown where I found the food kinda ordinary. But just on the outside edge of downtown at smaller places the food is unique and reasonably priced (and the people actually seemed to be from the area). Many of the spots you mentioned are indeed special but most of the roadways connecting them are kinda "not". Be prepared.

I love marble and can't wait to see yours. I've read the comet/scotchbrite method on the Danby web site, but it's not an every day cleaning - sorry I can't help there. Good luck tomorrow! p.s. when it's yours,it becomes the prettiest slab ever!