Blue Ridge Parkway Trip - Linville, NC

We had another blessed weekend trip to the mountains. Here's the crew at the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. A 1.6 mile hike round trip.

My favorite picture! Exploring the summit.

Josh and Jackson must always hike to the furthest view point.

A rest with a view, not posed.

Jackson sliding down a waterfall, the Upper Creek Falls trail.

This brave child and I took a ride on the waterfall too.

Such a great cabin at Bear Den Campground. The van got filthy from all the gravel roads. We were going to stay in a camping cabin but upgraded and invited Mimi at the last minute. So glad we did!

The next day we visited the NC Museum of Minerals and Emerald Village Gem Mine.

At Atlapass Orchard we had a picnic lunch with a view. Then the kids got ice cream and we watched a live band while people clog danced.

Exploring Tom's Creek Falls, the entire waterfall is not pictured.

We also hiked to the top and around an old mica mine where the ground sparkled.

Chestoa View Lookout just off the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Linville River with a view of the parkway bridge.

Searching for crawdads in the Linville River.

Sunset over the Blueridge Mountains. Glorious!

Father's Day

To celebrate Father's Day we headed south just past Myrtle Beach. We spent the day at Brookgreen Gardens.

Grandma got to come too.

The scenery was beautiful and so was the day.

And the kids were on good behavior.

There was a special lego sculpture exhibit. This one was made with 70,000 pieces!

After checking into the Litchfield Oceanfront Inn, the kids got to swim.

And play at the beach.

Jackson was inspired to make a sand sculpture.

As the sun went down the sky turned pink and the photo ops were amazing.

My pictures are never as good as the real thing. I really need a new phone/camera.

Two family pictures in one day! Josh was not happy about it.

The next day the kids swam until check out, then we visited Huntington Beach State Park.

The unplanned rainbow picture. Wow!

We toured the Atalaya Castle, the past home of the Huntington's. Mr. Huntington designed Brookgreen Gardens and his wife made most of the sculptures there.

Very neat place.

All of the rooms had descriptions. The bathrooms were still recognizable.

Several more hours were spent at the beach before heading home. Another blessed weekend.

Hikes with NO Children

Josh and I at High Shoals Falls in South Mountain State Park, only 1.5 hours away.

Josh brought one of his high school guys from church. It was Richie's first time seeing a waterfall!

We hiked almost 2 miles to the summit for a nice view. Richie was impressed by us old people not having to stop as often as he did to rest.

Thankful Joyce was able to watch the kids for us. They would have never made it.

Also last weekend, Josh and I went on another adventure to the Natahala National Forest in western NC for an overnight alone. THANK YOU again Joyce! (Mountain Laurel)

The highlight of our trip was Gorges State Park. Rainbow Falls was just amazing. Notice how small the people are at the bottom.

Josh actually jumped off this 20' cliff next to the falls, near the tree. He's always up to a physical challenge. So brave!

An impressive side view of the falls. You could get so close and even get on the ledge if crazy enough.

Here's a view from the top, again notice the people below for perspective.

I just love waterfalls and now I'm spoiled because of this one. Pictures can never do it justice.

There were several other waterfalls on the trail. Josh took a ride down this one! We also swam in the pool at the bottom and went underneath the falls. Quite exhilarating!

The next day we hiked Whiteside Mountain in Highlands, NC.

It's known for it's steep cliffs and the views from the summit did not disappoint.

This area is also known for it's healthy population of peregrine falcons, the fastest animal on earth. And we got to see 3 of them!

The next best thing to a waterfall hike is one with a view.

We made a quick roadside stop to see the 411' Whitewater Falls, the tallest east of the Mississippi.

And finally a hike in Panthertown Valley to Green Creek Falls. I was exhausted at this point and ready to go home.

So happy to get home to my favorite little people. I feel so refreshed and ready to enjoy them again.