Grandfather Mountain State Park, NC

This is the profile of Grandfather Mountain.  Can you see him looking up at the sky?

The mile-high swinging bridge at Grandfather Mountain.  Elevations is 5,282 feet.

Enjoying the beautiful weather and picnicking at MacRae Meadows, sight for the Scottish Highland Games & Singing on the Mountain.

Beautiful vista a Black Rock.  This was a short 3 mile hike in the Grandfather Mountain State Park.

Grandfather Mountain is a North Carolina state run park.  The fee is $15 for adults, and $7 for children 12 and under.  The park has a zoo, restaurant, hiking trails, ice cream shop, souvenir shop, the Mile-High Swinging Bridge...and lots of wild life to watch.  The view is spectacular, and there is an elevator.  Plan on doing a day long trip here because there's so much to do.

The kids and I camped out at the Grandfather Mountain RV Resort for $16/day.  You can get a camping cabin to a two bedroom cabin for $60 to $120/night.  They had a little general store for supplies, ice, snacks, drinks, and fire wood.  They also had hot water showers and clean bathrooms.  The campground is right next to the beautiful cold water creek.

The campground is also right next to the Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm and Gem Mine.  You can catch trout for $6/lb.  They have two ponds 3 lb and 5 lb and up.  This is fantastic for young kids and adults a like.  They provide poles and bait, and it will not take long for the fish to bite.  The trout are delicious!

Everywhere you drive in this area is going to be beautiful and scenic.  You won't be far from one of the most famous sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway...and that's the Linville Viaduct.

Thumper the NC Adventure Dog "English Springer Spaniel"

"How do I look honey?  Does this make me look fat?," said Thumper the NC Adventure Dawg.


My bowl is empty...what's up with that?  You gonna feed me or what?


Puppy kiss.


Thumper as a pup, exercising and running through the woods while we hiked Morrow Mountain State Park, NC.  He loves the woods.

Thumper running as fast as he can on the beach at the OBX, right next to the Cape Hatteras Light House.

Thumper using a rock as a pillow, sleeps next to the fire while camping with us at Bullocksville State Park, NC.  He played hard.

Thumper inspects my crappie catch and said "This one's too small, throw it back."

Air pump check, tent check, shovel check, cooler check, broom check, Coleman stove check, clothes check, Coleman lantern check, toilet paper check, and my wind loving dog....check!  Ready to do some camping.

Thumper loves to go swimming in Kerr Lake, Bullocksville State Park, NC.

Thumper loves to ride in the back of the car.  My daughter catching some ZZZZZZ's from a hard day of playing.


Thumper my 55 lb. Springer visiting his cousin, Kanada, "the big baby" in Texas.

Thumper rode with us in the back of the car for 3,500 miles round trip and toured Pensacola, New Orleans, Houston, and San Antonio.


Happy dog running on the muddy banks of an island on Kerr Lake.

"The Power of the Dog"

By Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie --
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find -- it's your own affair --
But . . . you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit hat answered your every mood
Is gone -- wherever it goes -- for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept'em, the more do we grieve;

For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long --
So why in -- Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

Davison River Fly Fishing, Camping, Ice Cream, Hiking, and Water Falls (Beautiful Brevard)

Brown trout caught a the Hatchery on the Davison River, Pisgah National Forest.


The breath taking view from Looking Glass Rock, Pisgah National Forest, NC.  You will have to earn it to get up here and get this view.


Sarah prepares for the icy plunge!  Beware the water is extremely cold..even during the summer.

North Carolina offers some great fly fishing in the winter and spring.  The important thing is to "match the hatch."  Contact your local guide service and ask them what's working.  I will be the fastest way to hook up with a nice pulling trout.  Most of these waters are catch and release, but there are plenty of private ponds that offer trout to take home.

The great thing about trout fishing is that it doesn't require a lot of expensive equipment.  Children are allowed to use live bait, but adults must use artificial lures.  The waters are so clear, you will be able to see the fish stacked up like cord wood along the banks.  Gently walk along the water to prevent the silt from stirring up.

The Pisgah National Forest has so much to offer.  The Pisgah has Looking Glass Falls.  It is a 30-foot wide waterfall the drops 60 feet down a rock cliff. Steps lead to an overlook and continue to the base of the falls.

 A really fun place is Sliding Rock.  It's a natural 60-foot rock water slide that slides into a 7-foot deep pool. During the season there is a parking fee per vehicle. The property offers restrooms, changing areas, and observation deck. Sliding Rock is open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day Weekend, a lifeguard is on duty during open hours.  Be prepared, because the water is going to be freezing when you hit the pool!  Takes your breath away.

I did a cheap stay by camping next to the Davison River for $25/night.  The campsite had hot showers, clean bathrooms, and a fire pit.  Brevard is an awesome walking little town.  There's great food, and don't forget to visit Rocky's Ice Cream Parlor in Brevard.

For those that like to hike, there's Looking Glass Rock.  Prepare for a 5-6 hour round trip hike if you have kids.  Bring a pack with water and snacks.  The trail climbs about 1,700 feet in just over three miles. The many switchbacks along the way help make for a long and moderately difficult climb. A strong hiker can make it to the top in 1.5 hours and down in one hour. The view is breath taking. The trail is well blazed in yellow and easy to follow.

The Davison, Bevard, Looking Glass Rock, Sliding Rock, and the Pisgah National Forest is a wonderful place to get back to nature and just chill.  Make it a part of your summer destination in NC and you won't be disappointed.

Biltmore Estate and Beautiful Asheville, NC Travels

The most famous house in America, The Biltmore Estate.  It would feature 4 acres of floor space, 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. The basement alone would house a swimming pool, gymnasium and changing rooms, bowling alley, servants' quarters, kitchens, and more.


Coy in the fish pond at the Biltmore Estate.


The most beautiful gardens at the Biltmore Estate.  Adult tickets are $64, Youth (10-16) $32, and Children 9 and under get in free.

A Gardener’s Place.  This shop features estate-grown plants, garden accessories, books, and gifts. Located in the Walled Garden, on the Conservatory’s lower level.

The backside of the Estate looking across a breath taking mountain view.  It is hard to describe in words the magnificent beauty of this house and the surrounding area.  It is a "must" see in North Carolina, but if you chose to go..set aside for an all day event.  It will take you two to three hours alone to go through the house tour, and there's also the winery, farm house, etc.  Bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes!



Watching movies outside in Asheville, NC.  There is nothing like the warmth and charm of this city.  It is artsy and eclectic to the core.  So many wonderful things to do, see, buy, and eat.  Asheville is like no other city in North Carolina.


Street performers in Asheville, NC.  This is one of the most romantic and charming city in North Carolina.

No visit to the state of North Carolina could be complete if you did not visit the Biltmore Estate and the nearby city of Asheville.  This house and surrounding areas are very, very, very special.

Some of these photos were taken during the Winter and some during the Summer.  I have never seen it, but it's been said that if you went to the Biltmore during the Christmas Season, it is absolutely the most beautiful sight around.  I prefer seeing this grand place during the spring, when the gardens are in full bloom.  My children love this place!

Asheville- This is a walking city.  It is young, hip, hippie, vibrant, with a warm embrace of open mindedness and Southern charm Appalachian style.  The city is surrounded by medium size peaks.  During the day, there's lots of shopping and one can spend countless hour par oozing through the gift shops and galleries.  Don't forget there's plenty of good places to eat.  The air in Asheville is always crisp and clean.

There is a sense of youthful exuberance in the city.  Where else can you see a coffee house made out of a double decker English bus.  You can find restaurants serving vegetarian, Thai, Japanese Sushi, steaks, Vietnamese, Mexican, and Italian.  This is a hippish micro-brew kinda town.  There art tons of arts and artist with that distinct mountain flavor.  Yet this place in not isolated and quite worldly sometimes.  You will see street performers out miming.  Youngster with guitars, or violins playing their music out in the streets.

There's a free black and white classic movie playing in the middle of the park.  How cool is that?  There is a sense of mysticism in this place, and definately worthwhile to visit.  Oh, and I almost forgot...there's also great local music.  Yes, live music!  So put on something casual, slip on some sandals, walk the streets, don't be stressed, don't be in a hurry, play it by ear, and just see where things go.  Asheville is a great place to get lost in.