Linville Falls Foray with an Out-of-town Friend

It's too bad that you can't pick the type of weather you will have when you're on vacation. Sometimes, it's rainy and overcast, which can put a damper on what you originally wanted to do. Although I think that during those times when plans don't work out the way we envision that we make some pretty wonderful discoveries anyhow.

One of my very good friends from back home came for a visit this past week. It's been about 4 years, since she's come up here, so this trip was long overdue! Unfortunately, the mountains didn't welcome her with the most favorable conditions. It rained all day long prior to (as well as the day before) her arrival. I hoped that it wouldn't be like that the entire time she was here, thankfully, it stopped raining on the morning she was heading our way.

While it was still overcast and foggy, at least it wasn't pouring rain. Even though Boone's weather was being uncooperative there were fun things that I could do with my out-of-town friend who was anxious to see some sights. I thought that a waterfall hike was the perfect thing for us to do because of the heavy rains we had recently received. That was the easy part, though. The hard part was figuring out which one we'd visit!

One thing that is a must-do for any friends visiting from out-of-town is to take a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway, even if the visibility isn't the greatest. That helped me to narrow down which waterfall I would take her to. Linville Falls, which is just off the BRP, seemed to be the best option because it is a rather large waterfall that isn't too far of a drive from Boone. It is probably one of the most popular falls around this area because of how easily accessible it is.

There are many different vantage points from which you can view Linville Falls. They have a main trail that takes you to several overlooks, which are fairly easy to navigate. During this particular visit, though, I wanted us to have an up-close view of the falls. This meant that we had to take the more strenuous Plunge Basin hike. The hike itself was only .7 miles to reach the gorge, but it took some time getting down there with all the rocks and exposed roots littering the trail.

Once we reached the bottom, I expected the waterfall to come into view, but I forgot since my last visit that you can't see it from the end of the trail. In order to get an unobstructed view of the waterfall, you have to do some scrambling around the rocks. It was a little iffy at times, but we ended up making it to a good spot.

I knew that my friend would be in awe over this incredibly beautiful natural wonder, the water was rushing like mad! We attempted to soak it all in the best we could before hiking back out. I attempted to take pictures, but wasn't super successful in doing so, because I accidentally left my fresh batteries in my other bag. Doh! At least, I have something to show for it, even if it's not the best photo.

Good thing I had the Sony WX9 on me, too! I ended up using the point and shoot to take a short video that you asked to see on Facebook. Well, here it is. If you want to view it in HD, click on over to Vimeo.

The hike out wasn't bad at all.
It did require a bit of a climb to get back out of there,
but it was (and my friend agreed) a great hike that was well worth the effort to see such a lovely sight. 

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I Miss Jacksonville Beach Montage | Florida

Sometimes I miss being able to head to the beach on a whim. Don't get me wrong, I love my mountains, but I do love playing in the sand and salt water, too. Scouring the shore for shells with my nephew is something I miss even more. To reach the coast from here in the High Country it would take at least a 5-hour drive. It's not something we get to do often because of the time it takes to get there. Usually, I'm okay with that, but I've found myself longing for another day by the sea.

Summer feels like it's coming to an end here in Boone, NC, which is probably why the beach is on my mind. This week we've experienced colder temperatures, especially at night. I've been wearing my knee-high Winnie the Pooh socks it's been so chilly! You won't hear me complain, though, because FALL is one of my favorite seasons. Honestly, I can't wait for it to arrive!

In the meantime, I'm going to attempt to soak up every last bit of summer I possibly can before the weather here in Boone completely changes course. So, until the next time I have the opportunity to head to the coast, I'll just enjoy the memories made this past summer at Jacksonville Beach with my family.


How are you soaking up the last bits of summer?

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My Favorite Islands of Adventure Theme Park Rides | Orlando, FL

Riding roller-coasters (or any other ride, for that matter) has been an excitement-filled thrill that I've enjoyed since I was the proper height. Yes, I would be completely terrified about what I was getting ready to encounter, but I would only hesitate for a brief moment before taking the plunge. It didn't take long before I became a full-fledged thrill-seeking junkie that required more than what the tame rides reserved for kiddies could offer. Anyone who enjoys going for a wild ride (or two) will discover that Islands of Adventure—part of the Universal Theme Park—does not disappoint when it comes to stimulating your senses to the point of overload.

In a previous post, Preview of Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, I reminisced about the adolescent switch from Disney World to the Universal theme parks that took place when I was a teenager, and how it was my turn to introduce this familiar territory to my nephew. Over the years, my love for theme parks has never waned. I don't mind the long lines and large crowds. It is what it is. I can set aside my social anxieties and impatience for a day or two so that I can spend it in a fantasy land. After all, that's what Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios are, imagination brought to life. A place where you get to walk among cartoon characters and step into the pages of a children's book or comic strip. It's as if you become part of the story. A level of entertainment that you just can't get anywhere else!

So, starting from the beginning of our day, I'll take you on a tour of my favorite Islands of Adventure rides.

1. The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride — We started off in the opposite direction that the crowd was heading in, so our first stop was Seuss Landing. It's one of my favorite areas because I love Dr. Seuss's books, and they really did a great job of bringing them to life. It's so whimsical and colorful with tons of interesting things to grab your attention along the way. The trolley train ride was the second one we rode in Suess Landing. We walked right on without having to wait. I liked this kiddie ride because it gave you a great overview of the surrounding area, a different perspective in which to appreciate the park. It was a good one to start with because it also helped my nephew get used to the experience without being jarring like some of the other rides.

2. Poseidon's Fury — Next door to Suess Landing in the Lost Continent where we took a journey through an ancient temple. Poseidon's Fury isn't a ride as much as it is a theatrical tour that you walk through with a guide. At times, it was a little cheesy, but the seemingly scary situations you found yourself faced with were pretty intense. We hesitantly walked through a tunnel surrounded by rushing water without getting wet, and then watched in anticipation as the bad guy was defeated with fire balls and other theatrics. My nephew was so into it. It was exciting for me to see him all worked up. He was squeezing my hand while screaming as he anxiously awaited the outcome. To my surprise, Ju-ju picked Poseidon's Fury as his favorite ride of the day any time we asked.

3. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey — Ever since I found out that Islands of Adventure would be opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I was determined to experience it firsthand. While I haven't finished all the books, I absolutely adore the movies, so to have an opportunity to walk down the streets of Hogsmeade and shuffle through the corridors of the Hogwarts castle was an extra-special treat for me. A little overcrowded, yes, but the other onlookers weren't going to tarnish my fun time. It was chaos when you walked into the castle, utter chaos! We found a locker as quickly as we could and hopped in the long and windy line. While this did require the longest wait of the day, the line consistently kept moving, which helped a lot.

Once we finally made it inside, I was amazed at how closely they portrayed what I remembered from the movies, the moving paintings were wicked awesome. Having all those neat things to look at made the rest of our wait bearable. The actual Forbidden Journey ride was definitely worth the lengthy line. Everything happened so quickly, though, it was over in a flash. My nephew didn't do as well on this ride. It was a little scary with the enormous dragons in your face and deadly dementors attempting to suck the life out of you. He cried the entire time. We felt so horrible, but he was a trooper. I, on the other hand, thought it was so much fun, although I wished that I could have ridden it a second time. (I'll be sharing more about the WW of HP next week, so be sure to subscribe or follow postings on Facebook)

4. Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls — After spending time in the Jurassic Park area where we got soaked to the bone on a water ride, we decided to get the other water rides out of the way too, and headed over to Toon Lagoon. It was mid-day and sweltering outside, so relief came at the perfect time. This ride was probably the second longest wait we were required to endure. However, it was also one of the best rides of the day. You hop in a log and hold on as it travels through water-filled chutes. The real fun comes when it's time to take a daring drop, you know, the kind where your stomach gets left behind because you're barreling down a flume. It was awesome! And Ju-ju (my nephew) loved it. He actually wanted to ride it again, but the wait time was too extensive to do so.

5. The Incredible Hulk Coaster — I was on my own with this ride because no one else in my group wanted to go a bonafide roller-coaster that takes you upside down. With only a 5 minute wait time, I couldn't resist. It wasn't a problem for me to go alone because I didn't want to miss it and kick myself later for not going. I'm super glad I went, too. It was so exhilarating! I forgot how alive you feel when being launched through the air. This roller-coaster is no joke either, at the very beginning it catapults you from zero to 40 mph in only two seconds! It was the last thing I rode on our first day. What a ride!

I hope you enjoyed hearing about some of the Islands of Adventure rides that I relished during my recent trip to Orlando. As hard we tried, it was impossible to ride them all, even if you go during the week on a slow day like we did. Our wait times for the majority of the rides didn't exceed 20 minutes, typically, which is unheard of in those places. I've been during times where I've waited in excess of an hour for a 10 minute turn, that can suck the fun out of your day. Thankfully, we were lucky enough to not have to deal with such nonsense. It was much more enjoyable that way!

Which one of these 5 rides sounds like your speed?

Would you prefer something slow and steady like the trolley ride? 
Or would you rather go for something a little more daring like Dudley Do-Right's?
Please share in the comments or on the WW Facebook page!

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6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 2)

Not all of the sights to see along highway 83 were quick stops. Some attractions required a bit more time to explore. One of the coolest things I got to do while in Hawaii was snorkeling! My friend Tawny took me to Shark's Cove to get my feet wet. Apparently, it is one of the best places to go snorkeling for free on Oahu. Even though I don't have anything else to compare it to, I can definitely confirm that it was an incredible place.



After a brief demonstration from my good friend I was ready to take the plunge. As I meandered atop the surface of the clear water I remained in a constant state of awe as I caught glimpses of the amazing little underwater creatures in their natural habitat. I have always wondered what it would be like to poke around and peek at the aquatic life living beneath the surface. Snorkeling is definitely an adventure you shouldn't skip while in Hawaii. Oh, and don't be like me and forget to bring an underwater camera!



There are, however, some hazards involved that you should keep in mind when you get the urge to submerge, like the crazy sharp lava rocks between you and the water. They are a little tough to navigate barefoot, so be careful! You should also avoid touching the reef as you can severely threaten the survival of those very delicate environments that many species rely upon to subsist.

Don't forget to slather yourself up with sunscreen because you get a lot more sun than you realize. Trust me. You'll be sorry later, I was! Be careful with the type of sunscreen that you use because chemical ingredients in certain sunscreens can cause coral bleaching. Here is a link to more information on the most eco-friendly sunscreen to use while snorkeling: Coral-friendlier Sunscreen



After our fun in the sun, we headed over to the town of Hale'iwa so that I could try one of these famous shaved ice sweet treats from Matsumoto's that I've heard so much about. You can tell that this is the place to go by taking one look at how long their line is. Stretching out to the parking lot seemed to be the norm, but it didn't take very long to reach the front of the line.



Besides, I had trouble making up my mind about which flavors I wanted to try so I needed some extra time. I finally decided to go with a combination of guava and lilikoi (passion fruit) flavored ice on top of vanilla ice cream and red beans covered with condensed milk to add an extra layer of sweetness to the mix. Talk about yummy! I instantly understood why these delicious cones were so popular.



Matsumoto's opened as a grocery store in 1951. Now, it mainly sells shaved ice and souvenirs to tourists. They can serve upwards of 1,000 tasty treats on a hot summers day! Believe me, you want one. I want one right now, actually. The town of Hale'iwa isn't directly on Highway 83, but this is definitely a detour you want to take when you find yourself on the North Shore of Oahu.



This last sight was one that I briefly stopped at during my drive along Highway 83. While looking at this relatively calm scene, it is hard to believe that in the winter months ocean swells pound Waimea Bay with 30 foot waves. During that time surfers from all over the world find themselves at this beach clamoring to catch a wave. You wouldn't think that the summer would be the slow season, but it is!

I had so much fun taking the scenic route along Highway 83. In a few short hours I covered a lot of ground. The picturesque shoreline drive took me from Kualoa on the Windward side of the island to Hale'iwa on the Northshore. The sheer beauty of the scenery along this stretch of road is unsurpassed by anything that I've ever seen. I think that it would be nearly impossible to travel that way without deviating from your course. Just let the wind take you where it will, you won't be disappointed!

If you missed Part 1 of the 6 Sights to See on Highway 83, click here.

Related Links:

• Celebrating my Birthday Hawaiin-style!
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 1)
• A Place of Peace & Serenity: Byodo-In Temple
• Honolulu's Most Popular Hikes

Celebrating my Birthday Hawaiian-style!

Birthdays celebrations, for me, typically include travel, but not solo expeditions. Cody was unable to join me in my most recent crusades, so I went to Oahu, Hawaii sans my 'partner in crime'. The experience was liberating! I can't say that I want to spend future birthdays without being able to share them with Cody, but doing this trip on my own changed from something I wanted to do into something I needed to do.

And I definitely don't feel the same as a result of doing so. My bloggie friend Gillian, who has been to Hawaii said, "That Hawaii NEVER leaves you." I hope that's true! For days I've been stuck daydreaming about that place. Not like it's a bad thing. I hope she's right, I hope it NEVER leaves me :D



Where do you start when you have so many different things you want to share? I was thinking, why not begin with one of the most memorable moments of my most recent trip to O'ahu, Hawaii! Not that everything about this trip wasn't memorable, but some things definitely stand out more than others.



While on the island, I did the majority of my sightseeing during the day. At night, I took refuge in a friend's home far beyond the busy cities of Honolulu & Waikiki. As a matter of fact, I didn't really spend too much time in either of those places anyway. She was a gracious hostess by the way. Thank you again for such a wonderful gift :) Amongst other things, she also helped to make my birthday a pretty magical one by accompanying me to the most bodacious party I've ever been to!



I celebrated my 29th at an authentic Hawaiian-style luau this year! Germaine's Luau had the most beautiful backdrop, as well as the best show on the island from what I've heard. The picturesque setting was exactly how I envisioned a Hawaiian-style luau to be, a less than calm breeze blowing through the palm trees, a site situated right next to the ocean which happened to dawn the most breathtaking sunset, and SAND...lots of sand! I ditched my flip flops almost immediately because it was much more fun to walk around barefooted!



After drooling over the sunset, and debating about a table in which to sit, my friend and I made our way over to watch the traditional Imu Ceremony take place with the rest of the spectators. This long-established custom involves the removal of a pig that has been marinating in a roasting pit for the last 12 hours. You can't begin to imagine how amazing it smelled! The finished product is known as Kalua pig, and it is the tastiest boar I've ever eaten! Actually, it's probably the only boar I've ever eaten :D


photo by Tawny

After the opening introductions and initial performances, tables were called one by one to help themselves to a truly remarkable luau feast! When dining buffet style, I have a tendency to over do it. This time was worse than normal! I had NO room on my plate because I had to try a little bit of everything. Do you see any white space there? Okay, maybe around the edges, but that's it! I even used the silverware sidebar for desserts! Excuse that rough photo, I was standing under a light pole trying to balance this weighty plate :D



Once our bellies were full is when the real fun began! To name a few highlights, they kept us very entertained with the hip shaking hula dancers, funny but slightly humiliating audience participation sequences, and best of all, the "Samoan Fireknife Dance!" Talk about mesmerizing! Holy mama was that a thrilling performance! I had a tough time taking photos of it, so here's a video instead.



The 4 hour long feast for the senses most definitely had all the makings for a delightfully enchanting evening! I would say that anyone going to Hawaii MUST do an old-fashioned luau. Must! The only way my birthday could have been any better was if my main man could have been there to enjoy it with me.



And just so you know that I am not beneath making a fool of myself. Here is a short short clip of me shaking my bon-bon on the main stage!! I have no rhythm, seriously.

Related Links:

• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 1)
• 6 Sights to See on Highway 83 (Part 2)
• A Place of Peace & Serenity: Byodo-In Temple
• Honolulu's Most Popular Hikes
• The Best Luau in Oahu: Germaine's Luau (website)

The Best Way to Recharge & Relax in Hot Springs, NC

With no time to spare, Cody and I made a mad dash to reach the Hot Springs Resort and Spa in time for our 7:45 appointment. Once we were all checked in and paid up, we were asked to go out back and find the spa attendant who would most likely be under the welcome pavilion. Several people were walking around toting towels (Dang!? We forgot to bring towels!) and sporting that wet-look. I just tried to appear lost enough to warrant a "May I help you?", not to worry, though, they had us covered. She promptly took our tub ticket and lead the way to our private oasis.



This idyllic setting tucked in the woods was made even more perfect once we realized that our hot mineral bath hut was overlooking the river! Having it all to ourselves felt a little unreal. I stood and marveled for a moment before sinking into the steaming hot pool of relaxation.



Good thing it was still daylight when we arrived because I would have hated to miss out on this sensory overload combo. Even though the sounds of the gentle stream could not be heard over the high-powered jets, the view added a dimension that was just as soothing. The effervescent water melted away the tension that perpetually binds my neck and shoulders. Finally, some relief after a long, sore, and painful week.



After a while, you start to notice some of the healing waters other side effects. As you continue to soak, feelings of euphoria wash over your weary body, and you begin to detect traces of intoxication without a drop of alcohol having touched your lips. I absorbed as much as I could before I needed to step out for a few minutes (it gets mighty warm), we did this many times during our 1-hour session of soaking. We even enlisted a nearby hose to assist us with cooling off every once in a while.

On one hand, you didn't want your soothing dip to end, but on the other, you were ready to allow your body temperature to return to normal, but before you can decide, time expires and it's time to get out! Overall, the experience was positively invigorating! I can see why the town of Hot Springs, NC has drawn visitors from all over since the early 1800's.

Did you miss the post on our riverside campsite or the places we ate while in Hot Springs, NC?
If so, click here and here for more trip details.

Links:
~History of Hot Springs, NC
~Hot Springs Resort & Spa
For Reservations Call 828-622-7676

Riverside Camping in the Heart of Hot Springs

We stitched our way through the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee while weaving and winding along scenic back country roads with endless pastoral views. Abandoned tobacco barns were plentiful in this region. The fields, however, filled with row after row of tobacco plants told a different tale than the facilities lying in disrepair would lead you to believe. I like them, the rundown ruins give the landscape special character. After many more twists, turns and tobacco barns, we finally reached the quaint little town of Hot Springs.



The first order of business upon arrival was to check in to the Hot Springs campground, which happened to be one of the very first things you come to as you drive in to town, so we didn't get a chance to drive through and check the place out.

Armed with a parking pass and shoddy directions, we set out to find our riverside campsite. It was one of two that were still left when I called the day before! After a few bumps and turns later, we found our site tucked into a cul de sac of sorts. I felt as though we scored a perfect spot since it seemed a little more secluded--privacy is good, real good.



Upon stepping out of the car, the first thing you notice is the roaring French Broad River just footsteps away. It was a lot wider than I imagined it would be. In my mind, I pictured a babbling brook at our 'backdoor'. Instead, we were welcomed by a rather large expanse of semi-raging rapids (that may be a slight exaggeration)!



A panorama of the bridge we crossed earlier dominated the view as we stood at the water's edge. We were also greeted with friendly waves from the floaters passing by. In a matter of 5 minutes we had seen numerous inner tubes, duckies, and even a canoe or two lazily moving along. It quickly became apparent that water recreation is very popular in this corner of NC. I wanted to go for a lazy float down the French Broad too, but due to time constraints we were forced to save the 5 hour tour for the next time we visit.



I wasn't too sad since we had a 7:45pm reservation at the Hot Springs Resort & Spa to soak in a soothing mineral bath! But first, we had to get some grub!

Come back for the next Hot Springs "On-the-Fly Overnight" trip installment when I plan to share the great food we found in this tiny town! Also, a few additional photos can be seen on Facebook. Have a great weekend :D

Update: This is one of a 3 part series -
"The Best Way to Recharge & Relax in Hot Springs" &
"Eating our Hearts out in Hot Springs, NC"

Hot Springs Resort & Spa
Campground Reservations
828-622-7676

The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park (Part 2)

3. DOYLES RIVER FALLS


(Upper Falls)

For our last day in Shenandoah National Park we picked this trail because there were not one, but two waterfalls! The round trip hike of 3.2 miles is moderate on the way down, but the return climb is STEEP! So steep it seems that you are pretty much at a half-jog the whole way down. Almost too quickly we reached the Upper Falls, from there we decided to bypass it because of the crowd and kept going until we got to the Lower Falls.

After taking our time on the sharp switchbacks, the 63 feet of water furiously spilling down the rockface came into our view. I charged toward the small landing beneath the falls, but was stopped dead in my tracks by what I though to be a live snake! I screamed!! Cody, my knight in shining armor, quickly came to my aid. Upon closer examination we realized it was not moving and was a little bloody--someone killed it. Strategically, we removed it from the path so no one would have a heart attack from having the daylights scared out of them, like I almost did.


(Small Cascade)

A little more cautiously this time I made my way down and set up my tripod to get a picture. I didn't have too much luck here because the sun was shining directly on the top of the falls (overexposure), so I thought best to move on. On the way back out we stopped to see the Upper Falls, it was still crowded. The grotto-like setting was nearly impossible to capture without a moving subjects hopping into the scene. Somehow, I got lucky and was able to fire off a few shots.


(Lower Falls)

Midway, I remember thinking to myself, "This isn't too bad!?" I even protested saying so out loud just in case I would be jinxing myself by doing so. Of course, I did! That's where things started going "downhill".....It was BAD, real BAD! I almost wanted to warn everyone we passed to turn back, especially when we came to a lady resting on a bench on the way down! She had no idea. Without saying a word, we trudged along. There were moments that I wanted to die or either pass out (just a tad dramatic), but without incident, we made it back to the trailhead.


In case you missed it:
The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park
(Part 1)

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The 3 Easiest Waterfall Hikes in Shenandoah National Park

There is nothing that I like more than to see the awe-inspiring beauty of a flowing cascade. What can some times make that desire difficult to achieve is the time and effort it can take to get there. Since there are no waterfalls that are visible from Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, to see one you must be prepared to take a hike. Cody and I were looking to maximize our time, and at the same time minimize exhaustion, so we set our sights on some of the shorter and less difficult treks. Of the nine waterfalls in SNP, though none are easy, there are a few you might find more manageable, but every bit as beautiful.

1. DARK HOLLOW FALLS



This particular waterfall appeals to a wide audience because it is easier to get to, which means that it can be pretty popular. Even so, we thought the 1.4 mile round trip would be a great excursion to start off with. The trail hugs Hog Camp Branch as you make your way down the tree-lined path, which can become steep at times.



Once you reach the bottom a series of rushing cascades create an impressive 70 foot display (as you see above). I was lucky to have located a spot to shoot early on beacause it wasn't very long before a rather large group joined us down below, and by join us, I mean, blocked my view! :D



The clouds were being even less cooperative, so somewhat frustrated, we made our way back across the river to begin our ascent. I remember taking a break or two on our way back up, but all in all, it wasn't so bad.

2. LEWIS FALLS



After a short nap at the campsite we awakened with vigor and were ready to tackle another trail. This one was really close to the Big Meadows campground, our homebase. Another bonus was that this was a short stroll at 2 miles. The footpath to Lewis Falls was strewn with rocks and can be tricky, so sure footing was a must! Once the sound of rushing water becomes louder a panoramic view of Pine Grove Hollow opens up before you. The end brings you to a rock-walled observation area where you can view the 81 foot falls from afar. I felt a little jipped because that wasn't what I expected, but it was still lovely. Other than having to navigate the rocky terrain, the return hike was fairly mild. We did, however, almost cross paths with a skunk, but thankfully he was in his own little world!

3. DOYLES RIVER FALLS:

Click here for Part 2!

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Stumbling Upon Moore Cove Falls

By accident we found ourselves at the trailhead to Moore Cove Falls. Initially, our intention was to stop and take a few photos from the auto bridge, but we were pleasantly surprised to find this treasure. Because it was a relatively short hike we said, "What the hay, let's check it out!"

I liked not knowing exactly what we were in for, it made the stroll that much more enjoyable. We followed Moore Creek upstream for .7 miles and crossed a few footbridges (my favorite) along the way. Imagine our surprise when, at the end, we were greeted by a lovely cascade that descended from the top of a cave! It's not very often that you can walk behind a waterfall for an ultimate up-close view. That was a special and unexpected treat, indeed.

As with the waterfall we visited earlier, I had a hard time capturing a properly exposed photo. A streak of light was brightly shining horizontally across the cascade! Even so, it was an awesome place to have stumbled upon, especially since we were able to witness such a unique view.

Don't you just love those sorts of unexpected stops?
What did you find on your last venture?

Posted in Photostory Friday & Hooked On

Looking Glass Mélange

Our time was short, and the sightseeing was kept to a minimum, but there was still enough time to visit a few different landmarks while in Brevard, NC a few weekends ago. And, since we are only a hop, skip and jump away I figure that future explorations are definitely on the horizon.



The first stop on our short-tour started at Looking Glass Falls. Unlike the majority of waterfalls we have ventured to, this one didn't require a hike to get to it. It could even be seen from a viewing deck right off the main road that anyone could access. Several other platforms could also be accessed via stairs so we headed down to get a closer look. The main viewing area took you down to the base where a steady cloud of mist made it nearly impossible to take photos from. I had to find a different spot. It didn't take long for me to realize that the most ideal spot would have been smack dab in the middle of the stream, which would have be acceptable to do, but I was not prepared. Had I anticipated wading in the water I would have brought my wellies along! Next time. Instead, I hopped over the wall at the first landing and shot a few photos from a higher angle. The position of the sun made it difficult to get anything worthwhile, but who can really complain on such a gorgeous day?!



In an attempt to get home by early afternoon we cut the day short. However, there was still enough time for one last pit stop. An overlook right off the parkway opened up to a panoramic view of Looking Glass Rock. A massive blob of granite that juts out of the earth!

After a few more photos and one last goodbye we were on our way back home. No detours. The highway quickly brought our mini getaway to an end. I know that some might think a one night stay away from home might not be worth it, but I like to go whenever I can, and sometimes that means doing so in spurts. For me, a one night camping excursion always makes my weekend feel as though it was magically extended!

What do you say?
Will you only go somewhere when you have "enough" time to see everything?

Polaroid Prologue to Ocracoke Island

At the very tip of Hatteras Island you have the opportunity to take a ferry ride
to the neighboring island. I've been on one before but this was my first time
driving a vehicle onto a ferry. It was an interesting experience.
The free ride took approximately 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, I walked around....



Once across, we made our way to the next camping destination.
This one was also oceanside and we chose a site with direct access this time.
After settling into our new campsite, we had to go explore.



Ocracoke NPS Campground was much more open than Frisco and because of
that it lacked the same privacy that we relished at our last overnight spot, but
being a stones throw from the beach just can't be beat, so I didn't complain!



It was so tranquil....waves crashing.....salty sea air....blowing breeze



See you on Monday when I will share more of Ocracoke Island.
Until then, have a great weekend!

Posted in Hooked On & Photostory Friday

Oceanside Camping on the NC Coast

On our most recent trip to the Outer Banks we decided to camp our way down the coast of NC. In fact, camping is what we almost always do when traveling. I'm cheap like that ;) Moreso, I like waking up and already being outdoors.



We stayed at two of the National Park Service campgrounds while on the island, the first being the Frisco NPS Campground. There weren't many other campers there since we went during the off season, but I hear that it is usually a pretty quiet place.



Once you turn off the main highway you drive a few miles before reaching the entrance, it's a secluded spot. Even the sites found throughout offered a lot more privacy than the other places we stayed. There you will find small trees and scrubby brush shielding and concealing.



A splendid surprise was that it was oceanfront! But, we didn't choose a site with direct access because we wanted to see more of the view so we went higher up. The view was really spectacular, it took my breath away.....or maybe that was the 25mph winds?! Can't remember :)



Doesn't matter. We ended our day barefoot on the beach watching the sun go down behind the dunes.

Posted in Wordful Wednesday

A Night in Rodanthe

Our first stop on the island was the small seaside town of Rodanthe.



The remote beaches of Hatteras Island looked like this the entire time.



It was like having it all to ourselves.



I know, this is just a teaser.
It gets better!

Posted in Photostory Friday & Hooked On