Love is Blind in a good way...

Love is blind in a good way...

For 11 years, I've done Lake, River and Bay decor maps. It is such a great business and the customers are wonderful folks. Over the years, I have collected a lot of interesting storys. This story, I call "Blind Love". You will understand after you read this post.

Lake Conroe Map

Interestingly, a few weeks ago, I got an order for a lake map from a nice lady. It was an anniversary gift for her husband. Two days later, I recieved an order from a nice man for the same Lake. however the shipping address was to the same address as as the nice lady's map. 

Was this a double order? Nooo, it was  a "blind Love" order. You see, both were giving each other one of my maps as an anniversary gift. I called to let them know and they were so surpised that each were ordering the same gift. They did cancel one of the orders and the lady said that it made the anniversary more special. The only thing that I didn't tell them is, they both named their lake house with a different name. Anyway, I got a kick out of this and think of it as Blind Love".

Eleven years ago, I got to follow my dream, a dream of having my own studio and creating the art that I love. After some wandering around on exactly what I wanted to produce, then putting all my creative and artistic ability in to it, I can now say that I have found it, "producing creative decor maps of places that folks love." I think this email below, from one of my customers pretty much sums it up, I have found my calling!" 

Here's an email from one of my customers, I received my custom, Hammock Lake decor map yesterday and was like a kid opening it on Christmas Day.  I could not wait to see it, and it definitely did not disappoint! It it stunning!!  Thank you so much for working with me to create this amazing focal point of my home. Your work is gorgeous and is just what I had been looking for!! I absolutely love the barn wood frame!! Thank you also for your promptness on answering your emails and for the super quick delivery.  Your business is more than 5 star and is so much appreciated!!! Thank you. Makes a great Christmas gift for the lake lover. Check-out my website: LeoLakes.com

Remember "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream.

Best gift idea for the Lake House

A beautiful lake decor map will make a great Christmas gift for the lake house or lake lover. It is unique because you can add a star to the location of your lake house and add a few words like " Johnson's Lake House". LeoLakes.com

Watts Bar Lake Decor Map

Interestingly, I often get comments about the tiny mermaid hidden in the waters of all my maps. Folks love to tell me about the search for the mermaid. They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. LeoLakes.com

I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for approximately eleven years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. LeoLakes.com

Also, each framed map or map over 16x32, comes with a certificate of authenticity, lake poem, and interesting facts abut the map. 

I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

A great little lake gem

 Let me tell you about this great little lake gem that I stubbled upon called Lake Junaluska. This lake has a little humor, but more about that later. Anyway, we were looking for a middle point to meet our daughter for a mini-vacation. We live in Nashville and she is in Richmond.  For us, this was about a five hour drive and a six hour drive for her. You have probably have never heard of Lake Junaluska. It sounds like it is located in Alaska, however it is not. It is located in North Carolina, near the Great Smokey Mountains. It is a beautiful small, man made lake, about 200 acres. It's ringed with well maintained homes, mostly built in the 30s, 40s, and 50s. It's almost like you have stepped back to an earlier time.

There are a few bed & breakfasts, inns and hotels around the lake that are reasonablely priced. The lake is a conference and spritual center. You can just feel the serenity and calmness in these photo. 

I saw a lot of folks canoing, and kayaking, which you can rent. While I was on one of the small walkways, I saw a couple fishing and asked "how is the fishing going?" They said they had already caught two small fish in about a half an hour. Looks like a great place for kids to fish.   

When you walk around the lake there are some interesting stops. One neat stop was the gift shop, which was better than average. 

This is a view of North Eaglenest Mountain. The mountain is 5,075 ft high and use to be named Mount Junaluska after a chief that lived in the area. I actually like Mount Junaluska as a better name.

Early mornings are spectaculer! There is a 3.5 mile trail that goes around the lake and has some beautiful views of the lake and mountains. On a few mornings, I got up and jogged around the lake. A wonderful time to run. Early mornings and evenings are called the golden hour by photographers because the lighting is perfect. Mornings and evenings did not disappiont.

We stayed at the Lambuth Inn. It was a nice surpise for a hotel that was built in 1921. The room was up-to-date, clean and quite. The view was amazing. The hotel is in the National Register of Historic Places. The landscaping and view points around the hotel were well done. We enjoyed our stay here.

One of the fun things to do is cross the dam to go sightseeing, It's a narrow, one lane bridge. You must look to the other side to ensure that no other car is coimg before you proceed. If a car is coming, you wait until the other car has passed. Traveling across the bridge is an interesting and fun experience because of it's nearness and height. 

I will say that there are very few eating places around the lake, but very near is Waynesville. There are some excellent choices in Waynesville. One evening we ate at "Bogart's", a long proven restaurant, which was established in 1977. A great place to eat, everyone in our party loved their meal. The next night we stop by "The Sweet Onion", another great choice. It's located in downtown Waynesville. The wait time was long at one hour, but the food did not disappoint.  

Interestingly, there's some humor around Lake Junaluska. Take a look at this big puppy dog. His name is Bushy. What a perfect name. Also, while riding around Lake Shore Drive, you will notice a small plaque hanging above the entry of most homes that face the lake. Most folks name their homes. Some of the names are pretty clever.

I would have never stayed at Lake Junaluska if I didn't stubble upon it. I will say, it was a most pleasant experience and will stay here again. Hey, paddle over to website to see my Lake, River, and Bay Maps. I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalizes  maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

   

Hanging a map in the Lake House

Ain't she pertty. She's 2 feet by 4 feet and a little bit country. She's all dressed up in a real barn wood frame. There willl be a crowd around her like a crackling fire on a cold winter night. 

This map will soon be hanging in a lake house of a customer on Pickwick Lake.  I've been to Pickwich Lake a few times and it's a very popular lake. 

Interestingly, I often get comments about the tiny mermaid hidden in the waters of all my maps. Folks love to tell me about the search for the mermaid. They say the children really enjoy hunting for her and are thrilled when they spot her in the waters. Oh yeah, some folks tell me that she moves, but I'm not sure that I believe that. LeoLakes.com

Most folks add a star to a special place on the lake such as a lake house or where they caught that big fish. I've been doing lake, river and bay maps for approximately seven years. Over the years, I have experimented with different elements of map art in order to provide the best and most unique map on the market. Folks will be drawn to the map like a crackling fire on a cold winter night.  I try very hard to make my maps special by adding interest to the maps. LeoLakes.com

I have hundreds of maps on my website that can be purchased right from the site, or I can do custom and personalized vintage style lake maps, too. Lake maps will add beauty to your Lake House Decor! Find out more interesting facts about my treasured maps by going to LeoLakes.com. 

Yes, birds are smart

 Last week, I was doing what I love to do, being on a lake, river or bay. Anyway, I learned something. Do you remember the movie “The Birds”? Well, this ain’t it, but it's sort of like it....I was in Florida walking on the Venice pier. I caught this pigeon looking at me with big red eyes. 

I walked over to him and he looked down at the water hose.  Humm….I’m thinking he’s saying “turn on the water you fool, I’m thirsty! 

So I did. Yep, he was thirsty. He drank for about 3-4 minutes and flew off. That's one intelligent bird!

Later that day, I went to Mickey D's for lunch and proceeded through the drive. I got lunch and as I was driving out, there was an unexpected Ibis looking at me on a fence rail at the exit. 

I senced that this bird was there for a reason, begging for food. Check it out, he is looking straight at me....

As I pulled closer, he extended his neck. Obviously, this bird is begging for a hand out, too.

So, I tossed a french fry to him and he munched it down. I'm amazed at how smart birds are becoming. In a few hundred years, birds may be the most intelligent species...

Paddle over to my website, LeoLakes.com. I paint beautiful lake, river and bay decor maps. Folks are discovering that these decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. Oh yeah, I hide things in the lake waters, such as a tiny mermaid/fish. Folks love to search for them. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.   Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Just remember: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream".

Large Lake House map for the lake house

BIG LAKE MAPS for the lake House, I did this big map of Greers FerryLake for a customer that has a lake house overlooking the lake. Ain't she pretty! She's 2 feet by 4 feet, and all dressed up in a beautiful frame, ready to go to the lake house warming party. You will be so proud when you walk in with her on your arm, prettiest gift at the party.

Paddle over to my website, LeoLakes.com. I paint beautiful lake, river and bay decor maps. 

Folks are discovering that these decor maps are wonderfully unique gifts that become family heirlooms. Oh yeah, I hide things in the lake waters, such as a tiny mermaid/fish. Folks love to search for them. I call my maps, treasured maps because most folks have that special body of water that they treasure. My treasured maps make a great Christmas gifts for the fisherman, lake lover, or Lake house. 

As you can see, my maps make a great gift.  Orders will picking up during the holidays, so order soon. Click here www.LeoLakes.com for more information.

Just remember: "Life is short, get away from the big screen and get on a big stream".

Bee battle in the studio

 A bee got into the Leo Lakes Studio. Some people see a wasp, but I see a big, ugly, rusty red, flying, killing machine! You see, I'm allergic to wasp stings. If I get stung, my throat will close-up and I cant breath. I have to down a healthy dose of Benadryl and take a trip to the hospital. I normally sit in the hospital parking lot hoping that the Benadryl will kick in, usually it does. When I get back home, the Benadryl will cause me to take a long nap. The bottom line is a very bad day! Anyway, I decided that I had too many maps to do and I had to battle the wasp, which is typically the case.

I got my Ninja on and grabbed a paddle. Just about that time I spotted the big, ugly, rusty red wasp. I swung the paddle toward the wasp and missed, but did three thousand dollars in damage to a bunch of frames, just kidding. I did destroy a map box. The big, ugly, rusty red wasp got away. The rest of the day, I nervously worked on maps while keeping an eye out for that big, ugly, rusty red wasp that actually could kill me. Luckily, the next day I found the big, ugly, rusty red wasp died. 

Enough about the wasp, check-out my Lake, River, and Bay maps! Here's a few, they look great in the lake house and make great gifts. 

Lake Erie Map                                  St George Island Map

 

Russian River Map                                                     Table Rock Lake Map

You will find much waterfowl around the lake such as eagles, geese, herons and gulls. To add more interest to the map, I add fish jumping and hide a tiny mermaid to the waters. Folks love to search the waters for hidden surprises. 

If you would like to see more and read about my treasured maps go to LeoLakes.com.  We have many lake maps that will make great gifts for the lake house.