Fall Trip to the Mountains
This has been a long time coming. It was close to 3 months ago that my friend, Savannah, and I took a long weekend trip to the mountains of North Carolina. We rented a wonderful 2 bedroom house not far from where I used to live that was pet friendly so the girls got to join us on the weekend excursion.
Now here is a heads up. This was a 5-day trip and there are 4-days worth of photos here. Over the course of the trip, on my camera alone, Savannah and I took just over 70 photos, plus the ones she took with her phone. I slimmed this down to a mere 24 photos.
On with the adventure. We rented a car and early morning on Friday, October 6th we hit the road heading for Foscoe, North Carolina. We had rented our weekend home way back in March and had planned our menu. We both love Mexican so I made a pan of beef enchiladas which I froze and we took up with us. They turned out very good.
Savannah was a good sport and tried to take pictures of each state line sign we passed but with me driving close to 80 and her never having used my camera before it took some practice. She nailed the photo of the sign as we entered North Carolina.
As you near the NC state line you start to see glimpses of the mountains ahead. This was right after we crossed into North Carolina and right before we got off the highway.
When we reached our rental we were happy to find that it was better than the pictures we had seen. The living room with the fireplace. The small door was full of games.
The kitchen had been re-done with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Everything we needed was there to make some great meals. I should have waited to take this photo until we were all unpacked and settled in.
I got this photo of Lili as she was heading out to lay on the 30-foot deck and enjoy the cool, fresh mountain air. She is getting old and gray but in my opinion she is still the most beautiful dog in the world.
On Saturday morning after a good night's sleep and a great breakfast we headed out. Our driveway was blanketed in fall leaves. How I miss this.
Our plan for Saturday was to go to Art In The Park in Blowing Rock. I headed down some back roads and on to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped at Price Lake for a photo op.
On the way home, we took the long way and went back down the Blue Ridge Parkway, past our exit and along the backside of Grandfather Mountain.
I got a photo of Savannah at one of the overlooks.
Sunday morning came and it was foggy and rainy but we had plans and a little rain was not going to deter us. We made sure we packed our ponchos and headed out for another day of sightseeing. As you get on the Blur Ridge Parkway there are signs advising you not to drive it in fog, snow and ice. However, since this was part of my stomping grounds for 10-years we went anyway. The fog was pretty bad in spots. This was a clear moment, seriously.
And then there were the turkeys in the road.
After passing the entrance the first time due to heavy fog, we turned around and made our way to The Orchard at Altapass. This was the overlook where we turned out. What a
fantastic view,,,not.
Here is a tree laden with apples. We shopped and got some apples and other goodies then continued our day's adventure.
Next stop Linville Falls. By now the rain was coming down a bit heavier but we donned our ponchos and headed out anyway. Thankfully we had left the girls at home. We hiked out to the upper falls. By now the rain was good and steady so we decided to turn around and not continue our hike. This was a smart idea as our sneakers were wet as were our socks.
On the way back to the car we passed this tree that a bear or bears had scratched. Thankfully the bear or bears were no where to be seen.
Once back at the car we decided that it was time to go home, drink, have a fire and watch movies. We were chilled and parts of us were pretty wet. The fire was awful nice once we got home.
As the afternoon and evening wore on I was surprised to see that Kele was letting Savannah love on her. Anyone who knows Kele will understand this is a rare occurrence.
Columbus Day was our last day in the mountains before we had to head home. We went into Boone to see my friends where I used to work then went shopping along King Street. Savannah knows a lot about plants and gardening so I took her to The Daniel Boone Heritage Gardens. Since there had been a frost or two the gardens were not as pretty as during the spring and summer months. We paid the suggested donation and headed in. Standing on a large flagstone area the garden stretches out before you.
Inside the gardens was the tiny log cabin which had been moved here from somewhere else. The tiny window to the right of the door is the only window in the cabin. As I stood looking at it I tried to imagine living in something that small.
After we left the gardens I took Savannah down some back roads between Boone and Foscoe. Our next stop was Grandfather Vineyards. I cannot come to the mountains and not stop here.
We decided not to do the tasting but we each bought a glass of wine.
We took our wine outside and sat along the banks of the Watauga River to enjoy the fall color. After all of Sunday's rain the river was running at a pretty good clip.
Once back at the house, we took adult beverages out onto the 30-foot deck to enjoy our last day in the mountains. Kele was really enjoying being outside also.
The photo is not as clear as I would have liked, but this was our view from the back deck. We have already decided that we want to come back to the same house for every Columbus weekend.
Now here is a heads up. This was a 5-day trip and there are 4-days worth of photos here. Over the course of the trip, on my camera alone, Savannah and I took just over 70 photos, plus the ones she took with her phone. I slimmed this down to a mere 24 photos.
On with the adventure. We rented a car and early morning on Friday, October 6th we hit the road heading for Foscoe, North Carolina. We had rented our weekend home way back in March and had planned our menu. We both love Mexican so I made a pan of beef enchiladas which I froze and we took up with us. They turned out very good.
Savannah was a good sport and tried to take pictures of each state line sign we passed but with me driving close to 80 and her never having used my camera before it took some practice. She nailed the photo of the sign as we entered North Carolina.
As you near the NC state line you start to see glimpses of the mountains ahead. This was right after we crossed into North Carolina and right before we got off the highway.
When we reached our rental we were happy to find that it was better than the pictures we had seen. The living room with the fireplace. The small door was full of games.
The kitchen had been re-done with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. Everything we needed was there to make some great meals. I should have waited to take this photo until we were all unpacked and settled in.
I got this photo of Lili as she was heading out to lay on the 30-foot deck and enjoy the cool, fresh mountain air. She is getting old and gray but in my opinion she is still the most beautiful dog in the world.
On Saturday morning after a good night's sleep and a great breakfast we headed out. Our driveway was blanketed in fall leaves. How I miss this.
Our plan for Saturday was to go to Art In The Park in Blowing Rock. I headed down some back roads and on to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We stopped at Price Lake for a photo op.
On the way home, we took the long way and went back down the Blue Ridge Parkway, past our exit and along the backside of Grandfather Mountain.
I got a photo of Savannah at one of the overlooks.
Sunday morning came and it was foggy and rainy but we had plans and a little rain was not going to deter us. We made sure we packed our ponchos and headed out for another day of sightseeing. As you get on the Blur Ridge Parkway there are signs advising you not to drive it in fog, snow and ice. However, since this was part of my stomping grounds for 10-years we went anyway. The fog was pretty bad in spots. This was a clear moment, seriously.
And then there were the turkeys in the road.
After passing the entrance the first time due to heavy fog, we turned around and made our way to The Orchard at Altapass. This was the overlook where we turned out. What a
fantastic view,,,not.
Here is a tree laden with apples. We shopped and got some apples and other goodies then continued our day's adventure.
Next stop Linville Falls. By now the rain was coming down a bit heavier but we donned our ponchos and headed out anyway. Thankfully we had left the girls at home. We hiked out to the upper falls. By now the rain was good and steady so we decided to turn around and not continue our hike. This was a smart idea as our sneakers were wet as were our socks.
On the way back to the car we passed this tree that a bear or bears had scratched. Thankfully the bear or bears were no where to be seen.
Once back at the car we decided that it was time to go home, drink, have a fire and watch movies. We were chilled and parts of us were pretty wet. The fire was awful nice once we got home.
As the afternoon and evening wore on I was surprised to see that Kele was letting Savannah love on her. Anyone who knows Kele will understand this is a rare occurrence.
Columbus Day was our last day in the mountains before we had to head home. We went into Boone to see my friends where I used to work then went shopping along King Street. Savannah knows a lot about plants and gardening so I took her to The Daniel Boone Heritage Gardens. Since there had been a frost or two the gardens were not as pretty as during the spring and summer months. We paid the suggested donation and headed in. Standing on a large flagstone area the garden stretches out before you.
Inside the gardens was the tiny log cabin which had been moved here from somewhere else. The tiny window to the right of the door is the only window in the cabin. As I stood looking at it I tried to imagine living in something that small.
After we left the gardens I took Savannah down some back roads between Boone and Foscoe. Our next stop was Grandfather Vineyards. I cannot come to the mountains and not stop here.
We decided not to do the tasting but we each bought a glass of wine.
We took our wine outside and sat along the banks of the Watauga River to enjoy the fall color. After all of Sunday's rain the river was running at a pretty good clip.
Once back at the house, we took adult beverages out onto the 30-foot deck to enjoy our last day in the mountains. Kele was really enjoying being outside also.
The photo is not as clear as I would have liked, but this was our view from the back deck. We have already decided that we want to come back to the same house for every Columbus weekend.
It was so much fun😀
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