Take a Hike

As you can see, we brought our little tree-climbin' monkey with us on our hike to the falls. I don't know what that bubble is coming over the river towards Erin. Perhaps Glinda, the Good Witch?

Blue Ridge Parkway

Sunday we took a ride up the Parkway. We were supposed to go to Linn Cove Viaduct, which is like a big concrete bridge curving around Grandfather Mountain. It was built that way to disturb the least amount of wildlife possible. It appears in a lot of photographs but not here because it was so foggy we couldn't see it.



So - we went to Linville Falls instead.

Creston

These are some views driving around Creston.

Allison Falls

After visiting the homesite we took a ride down to Allison Falls. You need a 4-wheel-drive vehicle to get to the falls. There is a "moonshine shack" down by the falls that can be used as a shelter for get-togethers. Off the trail to the falls is another trail leading to Teacup Pond. At our annual meeting the developers told us they are trying to make the pond into a swimmin' hole but were having problems getting it to hold water. We decided to see what it was all about. Robert turned onto the pond trail and asked us if we should drive or walk and before we could answer he started driving up the trail. It would have been better to walk. There were huge rocks and holes on the trail and Dave had to get out of the car twice to move trees out of the way. We reached a point where it was wide enough to turn around and we got Robert to stop and we walked the rest of the way. The pond only had a bit of water in it so either they hadn't fixed it yet or it was drained for the winter. We found out later the trail wasn't meant for cars - just hiking and that Gary, the guy who works there, once rolled his truck up there.

Construction Update Nov. 23

After lunch we went to Creston so everyone could see the (almost) house. Most of the leaves have fallen now so the views are really opening up. Erin & Dave are standing in our giant carport. The view down our driveway has changed- you can see the mountains off to the north better. Erin, Dave and Robert are down the hill at Robert's "Secret View." Robert is planning pathways and steps to that area and we'll have a place to sit. The view is really open from there. Maybe the bears will like it, too.

Thanksgiving

We had 7 for Thanksgiving dinner. Me, Robert, Dave, Erin, Miss Bobbie and Erin's Ashevillian friends, Cheri and Amy. They gave Erin a t-shirt from Cancun. Miss Bobbie gave her the flag.
The day after Thanksgiving we went into Black Mountain and shopped and had lunch.

Triple Falls

In addition to Hooker Falls we also hiked to Triple Falls. You can see by the short-sleeves that it was warm. It was about 70 degrees.
After the falls we had to pick up our turkey in Mills River. Robert ordered one from a farm. It was an organic turkey but not certified organic. Once we got to the farm I saw why. It was a hillbilly farm! There was junk all over and chickens and other birds I can't identify running around. Oh, and a fat dog greeted us when we got out of the car. The farmers were very nice and quite "earthy." They brought out the scrawniest turkey I have ever seen. At least it didn't have a head & feathers. We finally decided we just weren't used to an organic turkey and were used to them pumped with hormones or steroids or whatever. Anyway, it ended up tasting good.