At Grandfather Mountain

Another day of being in the woods! Perfect cool weather!

In the forest at the picnic area of Grandfather Mountain we were able to stand inside a maple tree that was still alive!  Then we drove to the top where we looked down on the world from a mile high!  The road to the top was a curvy, steep  winding road with many S turns.  Joyce let me drive today so she really must be getting used to the mountain roads!

We left the mountain for a drive in the valley where we stopped for shopping the Mast General Store (housed in a building from the 1800s) at Valle Crucis plus a walk along the Watauga River. From there a quick trip out to the farm to see Tate and family at their home.  Dolly the horse is doing well at the new pasture and she has a new friend Rusty who is visiting  from next door. She is really happy to have another horse in her pasture.

We head back home to South Carolina tomorrow but have three stops planned for along the way.  And who knows what else we might find along the way. This vacation was way too short!  I really hate to think about going back home to the heat and humidity!