V6 – Another Mountain to Climb

Grandfather Mountain is an enormous mountain, that when viewed at the right angle resembles a sleeping man. At its peak, it’s more than a mile high.

It's known for its swinging suspension bridge.

OK, so I didn’t get on the ladder when I painted the kitchen and would clutch a bit when looking over Skip and Kathy’s balcony. I had to go! And I loved it!

Once again, I confronted my nervousness and the altitude for glorious views of the area.
Taking the first step on the suspension bridge was pretty challenging, but it felt quite secure and once I got going, it was fine.

Walking over this bridge really was an important thing for me to do. It DID swing a bit (not much, though) and I DID look down, because I figured that was important to do. (Having said that, I didn't look down too often... just out!)

Rick and Skip went higher. I did a bit, but not as much as they did!

The mountain has a glorious natural habitat area, where we saw the eagle…


The bear (Skip got him to sit up!)…
And the cougar.

The museum was equally fascinating, explaining the history and geology of the region.

Back home to a farewell dinner and another game of dominoes.

The following day, we hit the road for home – and 13 hours later arrived to a happy little marmalade Gypsy. (Thanks, Claudia and Kate, for checking in on the orange-boy!)

The pleasure of the holiday was multiple for me. A desperately needed vacation with lots of downtime; good friends; family; new experiences; beautiful countryside. It was especially wonderful to get to know Rick’s family outside of a wedding or reunion when there are lots of people around. My thanks to all who were a part of it!

(This is the last of the V-posts -- anyone commenting on any of the vacation posts marked “V” (this is “V6”) might be chosen to receive my vacation souvenir packet with items from West Virginia, Myrtle Beach, and Banner Elk, North Carolina!). I’ll draw and announce soon!

It includes small shells picked up by me on Myrtle Beach (not pictured), rustic color pencils, some playing cards from the beach, some mini-flipflops that y ou can use as an ornament or embellishment, a packet of folk-art notecards, a lovely quilt card and of course the obligatory souvenir postcards!

V5: Downhill All the Way!

Let me remind you that Rick is the one in the family who bikes. My relationship with the bike ranges from great discomfort to semi-loathing.

After trying to readjust my attitude, I decided to name my bike, thinking that if I could make friends with the bike, we might enjoy more time together.

I dallied with the name Osama. But naming your “friend” after a despicable bad guy didn’t seem like getting off on the right foot.

So, I chose “Levi” after Levi Leipheimer, one of last year’s Tour winners and the creator of the Let Levi Ride website, after which Rick modeled his Let Rick Ride site.
So, when I learned we were going to do an 18-mile bike ride on a mountain (I also have a dicey fear of heights), I was, shall we say, apprehensive.

Fear and loathing. But you don’t conquer till you try.

So, Friday morning we drove to Damascus, VA, to ride the Creeper Trail. This is an 18-mile trail that is (fortunately!) downhill all the way!

We suited up at a bike shop.

It was there that I found the bike of my dreams. Truly. Big tall handlebars that didn’t hurt my back! My physical therapist and back doc would have been thrilled!
A van took us to the top of Whitetop Mountain, where we hit the road.
We were a most happy band! Skip and Kathy looked great.
Even Rick (whom we worried might think it a sissy trail) was having fun!)
It was unbelievably amazing – gorgeous scenery everywhere you looked.

We went from the woods...

... often beside a river that ran alongside much of the path.

Areas with gorgeous pastoral vistas seemed around every corner.

We even encountered groups taking the trail by horseback (and fortunately learned not to ride in the horse droppings, which can come back at you from the rear wheel!)

Lots of fun spots to stop along the way.

I especially liked the general store at Green Cove. It reminded me of my friend Jane's personal packaging collection!

But I wasn't so thrilled with the snake, although he was seemingly harmless, sunning himself on the bridge.
We ate sandwiches and shakes at a little diner on the trail.
Then mounted again for more scenery.

I was especially enamored of these yellow butterflies First one...

Then two...

And then three! They were posing!

It was more fun than I could have ever imagined in all the world! And I felt as though I had conquered a bit of my height issues because the grade down was so very gentle, I was pretty shocked when we looked up the mountain from about halfway down and I realized I'd come from there!

I loved this photo of Rick and his dad.

And Kathy looked great!

We simply could not have done anything that was more fun. And I learned things, too -- like braking only with the rear hand brake (this, I was taught) and keeping your mouth closed while riding (this I learned!).

After, we went to Boone, where we heard an outdoor concert at Jones House, the community center.

That was followed by dinner at the Mellow Mushroom.

Rick and I had the Magical Mystery Tour pizza with feta, spinach, portabello, mozzarella, pesto and button mushrooms.

It was great fun to watch the cooks, though this is a lousy photo.

Even the bathrooms were cleverly titled!

Home to bed. It was a long, wonderful day!

Next time: Another mountain to climb!

(Remember, anyone commenting on any of the posts marked “V” (This is “V5”) might be chosen to receive my vacation souvenir packet with items from West Virginia, Myrtle Beach, and Banner Elk, North Carolina!)

It includes small shells picked up by me on Myrtle Beach (not pictured), rustic color pencils, some playing cards from the beach, some mini-flipflops that y ou can use as an ornament or embellishment, a packet of folk-art notecards, a lovely quilt card and of course the obligatory souvenir postcards!

V4 -- On the Road Again

And going UP!

Wednesday morning, after a walk on the beach, we found ourselves on the road again, saying farewell to Myrtle Beach.

Our first stop was at one of the many produce stands we saw throughout the Carolinas for amazing peaches, sweet potatoes, jams and tomatoes.

The peaches were TOTALLY to die for. They were ripe to perfection and so sweet! (We enjoyed them for dessert and breakfast for several days!)

The jam looks great, too!

Then we headed to Columbia, where I met up with my public telly pals at NETA – what a welcome they gave us!

My buddy Maryanne is a knitter! I delivered to her some Shepherd’s Wool from Stonehedge!

She took Rick and me, along with other NETA colleagues, to lunch at Don’s Barbecue. Unbelievable! Lunch could not be believed!

Then it was back in the car and up to Banner Elk, NC... to spend a few days with Rick’s dad and stepmom, Kathy.

They one mile high on Sugar Mountain. The view was amazing – but poor Rick had to climb the mountain to get home from his mountain bike ride. Actually, he had been climbing mountains for about three hours before, but that last one is a doozie!

The first night we enjoyed a terrific dinner! We brought grouper from SC and Rick and his dad cooked it up!

While Rick was riding, Kathy (a realtor) took me to view a $2.2 million dollar house that was on the market.

It doesn’t look too big from the front, does it? But it was huge (though the kitchen, while well appointed, wasn’t as cool as the one that was a bit less expensive we also visited).

I especially liked the long-handled faucet over the stove so you don’t have to lift your pans from the sink to stove and the fridge, which beeped if left open!

The house had a wine cellar, tasting room, theatre (not as big as yours, Suzanne – only 8 seats, a smaller screen and not quite as cool as the Leworthy Bijou, but still very nice, with great chairs!), two fireplaces, big rooms. And a drop-dead view.

Later we went to a spot called “The Great Train Robbery,” a very nice shop where I found something to include in the souvenir packet! I loved the chairs on the porch.

Then home, to dinner and time to knit on the porch while watching the birds!

I was captivated by the birds that came to the feeder.

The hummingbird shots didn’t come out well, but I couldn’t stop shooting!

Then it was time for dominoes – that’s a new game for me – I loved it!

Next post: Jeanie confronts her two-wheeled demons, biking on a mountain.

(Remember, anyone commenting on any of the posts marked “V” (This is “V4”) might be chosen to receive my vacation souvenir packet with items from West Virginia, Myrtle Beach, and Banner Elk, North Carolina!)

Here’s a photo – it includes two types of note cards, some rustic color pencils, mini-flipflops that you can use as an ornament or embellishment, a deck of souvenir cards and some shells (not pictured), hand picked up from Myrtle Beach!