NC Mountain Trip

About two weeks ago, in between rain storms, we took a drive to the Blue Ridge Mountain range along Rte 64 in North Carolina.  It is about 45 miles away, but because of the winding country roads, it takes about an hour and a half to get there. Along 64, between Franklin and Asheville are many waterfalls.  Our destination was the Highlands-Cashiers area.

Many years ago, we went this same route while camping west of here outside Franklin, 

The falls are 45' high.

 A roadway gives access for vehicles to drive under the veil of water.  Bob's 1/2 ton truck looks like a Hot Wheels toy next to the massive granite rock face.

Further west along 64 are the Dry Falls, so named because you can walk under them without getting wet in times of low water levels.

The falls are fed by the Callasaja River

There is a paved path that leads down to the falls

A picture tells a thousand words why we didn't walk down the path this trip

Highlands, east of the falls, was established in the 1870's. Its founders drew lines from Chicago to Savannah and New York City to New Orleans, and decided to build a town where the lines intersected, believing it would be a successful commerce center.  In the 1930's. the town became popular after Bobby Jones and others created the Highlands Country Club.

A side view of the Olde Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands.  The town is popular for its specialty shops and artisan crafts.

and its waterfalls

in and

 around the area

Halloween 2015

Halloween at Lake Hartwell Campground was a lot different than in Bonita.  There are only 2 or 3 families with children that live here year round.  We had one trickster, so there was lots of candy left over. Good thing I bought the kind Bob likes!  He and I had a nice time sitting on the deck with a small fire going in the fire pit we brought with us from Florida. We also enjoyed talking to a couple of neighbors who came by.

Inside, these plastic tapestry figures have decorated our house for many, many Halloweens.  The ghosts and pumpkins were made by my mother, and Frankenstein by my cousin Carol. 

Outside, Peter Pumpkin lit the way

Our scarecrow, Jack, also has been with us for several Halloweens

Definitely a good witch

 Nothing like a little campfire to warm the soul

October 30, 2015 Last day of work - for real this time

After 5 years of returning to Florida Family as temp help, I finally decided that October 30th would be my final day with them.  It was time to enter into full time retirement.  When my work shift was over, Bob and I went on a little celebration trip.  We went to lunch at the Rib and Seafood restaurant in Westminster.  It was a place we had seen on other road trips, and we said we would try it sometime, so we did.  It was not exactly what we had in mind for a celebration dinner...you ordered at the counter and the food was brought to you...but it was good home cooking.  After that, we drove into Georgia and stopped at the Stephens Recreation Area along the Tugaloo River.

   The Tugaloo flows between South Carolina and Georgia for about 45 miles, and ends in Lake Hartwell.  It was named for the Cherokee town of Tugaloo, believed to mean "a place at the forks of a stream" .

The leaves haven't peaked yet, but are still pretty 

This bridge is actually in two parts and is known as the Broken Bridge.  It used to be connected and known as the Old Tugaloo Bridge on Rte 123 which connected South Carolina and Georgia.  Now it is used as a fishing pier.  

A wonderful way to celebrate retirement!

South Cove County Park, October 2015

This week's road trip took us to South Cove  Park in Seneca.  The park is on Lake Keowee and offers a variety of recreational activities.  Of the 88 campsites, 46 are on the water. There are tennis and volley board courts; picnic areas; a playground; boat ramps; and a handicap accessible fishing pier. The park was in high gear for Halloween.

Ranger Smokey the Hay Bale

A blue boo boy

Campsites are available  on the point of the park peninsula

The wicked witch of South Cove

The ramp to the handicapped fishing pier

Across the lake from the pier was a jaw dropping honest to goodness castle with turrets and moat.  Try double clicking to enlarge the photo.  A guy fishing on the pier told me someone had bought the castle two years ago and began remodeling, then stopped.  We might try to find the street access some time for a closer look.  

Oconee State Park and Oconee Station Historic Site

The week after the Calabash trip, we went on another soujourn in keeping with trying to have a weekly adventure in our new surroundings.  This time our destinations were Oconee State Park in Mountain Rest and Oconee Station in Walhalla.  The state park is known for trails, fishing, and its cabins and campgrounds.  Oconee Station was a frontier post.  Two of its buildings were built with 20 inch stone walls  in 1792 and  are still standing.

Cabin #4 is to the left of this point.  If we were going to rent a cabin at the park, this would be the site we'd chose.

A nice place for a secluded getaway

The path to the old stone buildings

The trail from the top of the hill

Calabash NC Oct 7 thru 11th

Our friends, Plish and John, were going to their seasonal condo at Brunswick Plantation in Calabash, where our other friends, Jay and Paul have their home.  We decided to hook up together, as we have done for the past few years.  Jay works at the reservation office, and was able to get us a great deal on a condo rental.  We were on the first floor, which made it fairly easy for Bob to crutch into it, and it was spacious enough for him to navigate comfortably in his wheelchair.  Jay and Paul work during he day, but the six of us were able to get together in the evenings.  Once again, it was a great time with great friends.

Bob under the  gazebo at Sunset Beach

The sand was fairly hard from the storm that had come through the weekend before, so Bob was able to wheel down to where we set up our chairs.  We doubt he would have made it back if it weren't for John's help.

Plish

Low tide.  Thankfully there was little beach erosion from the rain

The view from the patio at our condo rental

One of the indoor pools.  It wasn't heated, so it felt too cold for me to take a dip.

John playing polar bear at one of the outdoor pools.  Despite the sun, the water was quite chilly.

Plish, Jay, and me at Jay's house on our last night.  Once again, Jay insisted on playing hostess and served a delicious lasagne meal.  We three cherish our friendship that has endured for over 50 years.

Christine & Alex's Wedding Asheville NC Oct 3, 2015

Alex and Christine picked October 3rd to tie the knot and selected Asheville, NC, as the event location.  The ceremony was to be in the renowned Arbetorum near the Biltmore Estate, but Mother Nature decided to rain on their parade.  Luckily, the wedding was able to be moved into the building where the cocktail party was to be held after the wedding.  Later, the celebration continued at the reception hall called On Broadway.  In addition to Bob and me, the usual cast of characters were in attendance:  The Piascik families, the Mersons, the Monteros, and the Lambrights with two new family additions:  Alexander Lambright and Isabelle Piascik.  Uncle Mike, at age 93, took the dance floor by storm.  The next morning, family and friends met for breakfast at the restaurant on the top floor of the hotel.

Barbara, mother of the bride, being escorted by two of her four sons, John on the left and Luke on the right.

Flower Girl, Isabelle,  being escorted by her daddy, Joey. 

The beautiful bride, Christine, being escorted by her daddy, Joe.

 Alex and Christine after the vows were spoken.

Proud grandpa, Michael, with his first grandson, Alexander. Alexander had a viral rash and wasn't feeling the best.

Proud grandma, Adele, and Alexander

Another proud grandma with her first grand daughter, Isabelle. 

The dance for father and bride

The happy newlyweds

Barbara, Rachel, and Lorraine

Dancin' the night away

Uncle Mickey & his daughter, Carol

Uncle Mickey & grand daughter, Christine

 Uncle Mickey and grand daughter, Annie 

Uncle Mickey and one of the bridesmaids.  There are more photos of him and his dance partners, but you get the idea.

Adele and Carol with their cousins, Uncle Mickey's nieces, Lorraine and Janet

Asheville Sunday morning...most of the rain had cleared, and family members and friends headed back to their homes.