A Little More North Carolina

Our second day in North Carolina was a little bit family, a little together, a little solo. In the morning, Rick took off for a bike ride on the mountainous roads. The elevation from his dad's home drops about 3,000 feet from the top of the mountain down and it's up and down all the way after that! As for me, it was a bit of shop-and-sight-see time!

Kathy loaned me her car and I took off, landing first at a fabulous kitchen shop and then a wonderful antique mall where I did a bit of damage with some brown transferware, an original program to the Ethel Merman Broadway cast of "Gypsy" and a few Christmas presents. By then it was time to meet Kathy for lunch, and then we cruised by Grandfather Winery.

No, we didn't sip. But she wanted to show me how it was different from the Linville Falls winery the day before. While both are built into a hill and had the same lovely environment, Linville was more of a "California" style, while Kathy described Grandfather's as more of a French Bordeaux style.

As for me, I thought it simply lovely (and made a small purchase in the shop, of course!)

We got home and had a call from Rick. He needed the rescue squad! After a long ride up and down the hills and mountains, he was pretty sure he wouldn't make it back from Banner Elk and up the mountain with much left! So, his dad and I picked him up!

As soon as he cleaned up, he and I headed off to Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.



This classic building was founded in 1883 and remains a working general store and post office.

 

I found a few more gifts (and presents for me) there, while enjoying the delightfully quirky and homespun style of the store.

Included in my check out were yellow grits, some table linens and a nice piece of cheery oilcloth.

We couldn't leave without having a soda in a glass bottle from the cooler...

...and enjoy the sweeping back porch on a lovely early summer day.

We had dinner in Banner Elk and then while Dick and Kathy were at a concert, Rick and I took a long walk in a beautiful area near the Lees and McCrae campus.



It was quiet, warm but not hot or sticky, and the rushing water added its own coolness.



It was a perfect place for quiet contemplation...

                   

... and a walk in the woods.

There was duck-robatics in the pond...

And babies to admire!

The resident ducks and geese pecked for food...

...and when they thought they might have an extra handout, followed closely!

All in all, a perfect day.

I leave you with a last look at the water...

...and another beautiful sunset.

Back to Michigan!