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