Blue Ridge Parkway Retreat

We weren't sure exactly where it would lead us but we we on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It took us to numerous overlooks.

Next we happened onto Flat Top Manor which was a summer retreat for the Moses Cone (Cone Textiles) back in the guilded age.

We found a great place to play in a stream

We had a picnic

We stopped at the Original Mast General Store

Gem Mining!

Just before our final night-time fire of the trip, these girls found a little stream on our property so we all set out on a hike to share the discovery

This picture does not convey the steepness of the this walk

I am not standing on tip toes ... that is the grade of this hill

Even though it was raining we had a another fire (much more difficult to get started) but served to warm us all in the cold rain.

The next morning we would drive back to home.  That was starting to set in now but it was a wonderful retreat.

Cascade

We woke up today with hiking on our minds.  We chose to go to the Cascades water fall, just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Anxious to see the falls, we hit the trail

We took some time to appreciate this time along the way

After a mile or so of hiking we arrived at Cascade Falls

After lunch and some rest time we made our way to West Jefferson to the Ashe County Cheese Company.

Dusk arrived as we settled into the cabin and Olivia and the girls had prepared a fire.

A perfect ending to our carefree day