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!

North Carolina Beckons!

One of the best things about our trip South to the trade show is combining the work with a pleasure visit to Rick's dad and stepmom's home in North Carolina after the show has concluded. They live atop Sugar Mountain and the view is fabulous, the air thin, cool and clear. In the valley, the warmth wraps around you gently with less humidity than at the shore.

So, after the show we hustled out of Myrtle Beach and hit the road, arriving in time for a late dinner. The following day was Father's Day and the first Rick and his dad had been together since he was a little boy. We celebrated by going to a winery.

I didn't realize this but this region of NC has very good wine -- the climate in the valley is temperate and the winters not too cold.

Unlike here in Michigan where I've yet to had a red wine I'd get more than once, the reds at Linville Falls winery were as good as the whites!

Rick hit the road on his bike to meet us there, his clothes packed in a bag in the car so he could change! No one wants to sip wine with a cyclist who has been doing hills until they change or dry off. Big hills! He actually beat us there!

It was a perfect day, sunny and warm -- but not too warm. Rick rode his bike there and Dick, Kathy and I met up with him and some of their friends for a delightful afternoon.

Well, delightful until Rick locked the keys in the car while he was getting his changing clothes and putting away his bike. Let's just say that in some cars, coat hangers still work!

In the next post I'll take you to a quaint general store and on a walk along the Watauga River -- definitely a beautiful spot!

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a lovely sunset. Yes, it really looked that way!

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!