How is everyone doing? Happy Fall Y’all!!!
Sons #2, 3, and 4 all attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains. They all loved the campus, the town, the hiking trails, and the weather.
After many 3 hour drives up the mountain and back down over the last nine years, when Son #4 graduated, we guessed there would probably be no more trips up the mountain. It makes me sad!
The LOML said awhile back that he always wanted to visit Grandfather Mountain on one of our many trips to visit the boys but we never got around to it…..until Labor Day weekend.
We rented a beautiful cabin in Seven Hills, NC appropriately named “The Nut House.” The cabin was beautiful!! It slept 8 people comfortably with room to spare. Take a peak inside for yourself!
After we unpacked, Son #4 wanted to show us the perfect spot to see the sunset so we hiked Hawksbill Mountain 4 miles up and 4 miles back down. The scenery was beautiful and the sunset was worth the hike!
Half way back down the mountain, it started getting pitch dark and this old lady (ME!!!!) sprained her ankle on a tree root and fell on her face. Then I had to continue walking down two more miles in the dark in excruciating pain!! It wasn’t fun! Do y’all feel sorry for the old lady? Please don’t!! I already feel old and pitiful!!
The next morning Son #1 and DIL (daughter in law) #1 arrived with our granddog so we headed to Grandfather Mountain. More hiking!! Earlier in the morning, the LOML ran out to the nearest drug store to purchase an ankle brace so I can survive the endless hiking that is planned this weekend. I need to prove to the younger folks that I’m not as old and fragile as they think I am. It’s my Irish stubbornness coming out!!
Our first stop was the Grandfather Mountain Zoo.
Then we started hiking up to the top of Grandfather Mountain to cross the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge!
We finished our visit to Grandfather Mountain and headed to the Valle Crucis Community Park for a picnic lunch, some frisbee and more walking.
Monday, we headed to Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia to one of Son #4s favorite hiking trails that has wild ponies. One of the last times that Son #4 came up here, some of the horses were pregnant. It looks like there are some babies now.
Son #3, Son #4, and Daughter #2 climbed up on this big rock while Mom and Dad watched from a comfortable rock seat.
After our hike, we drove the three hours down the mountain and back home.
What a fun long weekend!! We spent some family time, we got exercise, ate a lot of take-out and had a blast!
Thanks for coming to visit! Come back soon!
Love y’all,
Linda
