Postcards from North Carolina

All of these pictures were shot with an iPhone using the Hipstamatic app.

Old mill, now converted to camp cabins

Old mill, now converted to camp cabins

Waterfalls next to the mill

Waterfalls next to the mill

Waterfalls next to the mill

Waterfalls next to the mill

Rapids under the mill

Rapids under the mill

Audra and Jeremy saved the best waterfall for last.  The water falls beneath an old mill and there was shallow water, gentle rapids, and rocks for the kids to play on and around.  We stayed here the longest, trying to soak up the beauty and it seemed like a perfect day was slipping away too fast.

Mikayla played in the shallow water making rock sculptures.  Lars explored on his own and was the only one who went under the big falls.  All the kids and adults rode the water through the rapids and downstream.  Jeremy and I lounged on the rocks and watched the fun.  

We only left when it got too late and the kids started to get hungry.  Then we got back in the car, drove down the mountain and back to Jeremy and Audra’s for a wonderful meal.  Everyone seemed tired and happy.

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

This is the third waterfall that we visited that we visited during our visit to Brevard.  Jeremy and Audra led us down the mountain and out of Pisgah and we parked next to what looked like a nice cabin on a stream on the side of the road.  Then it was a quick hike down a dirt path to one of the most amazing waterfalls and rock formations I have ever seen.

The amazing thing is that we were there all by ourselves, which made the day even more like a dream.

We stopped at another scenic overlook that had blackberry bushes growing behind a fence.  Below the bushes was a path that leads down to a stunning cliff overlooking a valley.  Gretchen followed Danielle and got this picture.  Obviously, neither has the same fear of heights that I have. (Click on picture to make it larger.)

We stopped at another scenic overlook that had blackberry bushes growing behind a fence.  Below the bushes was a path that leads down to a stunning cliff overlooking a valley.  Gretchen followed Danielle and got this picture.  Obviously, neither has the same fear of heights that I have. (Click on picture to make it larger.)

After sliding rock, we headed up to the top of the mountains.  The trip served two purposes.  First, we got to see the natural beauty of the area.  Jeremy told me that the top of the mountain offered a different perspective on the area that you could get anywhere else.  He was right. Secondly, Jeremy wanted to show us the path he took on his Wednesday bicycle trips.  The path upwards seemed to go on forever.  He already had my respect as an athlete, but he earned some new bragging rights on this trip. We got this extraordinary picture at the top of the mountain.  It reminds me of a picture of a band.  Everyone’s personality comes out here.  (Click on the picture to make it larger.)

After sliding rock, we headed up to the top of the mountains.  The trip served two purposes.  First, we got to see the natural beauty of the area.  Jeremy told me that the top of the mountain offered a different perspective on the area that you could get anywhere else.  He was right.

Secondly, Jeremy wanted to show us the path he took on his Wednesday bicycle trips.  The path upwards seemed to go on forever.  He already had my respect as an athlete, but he earned some new bragging rights on this trip.

We got this extraordinary picture at the top of the mountain.  It reminds me of a picture of a band.  Everyone’s personality comes out here.  (Click on the picture to make it larger.)

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

The second destination of the day was Sliding Rock, which is a flat waterfall where kids can slide down a huge rock into a pond.  Below the waterfall, the water is a gentle stream (remarkable again for it’s stunning beauty) where little kids can wade and swim and have fun.

The first thing we did on our visit was head up to Looking Glass Falls (named because the falls freeze in the winter and the ice looks like a mirror).  By the time we got there (mid-morning), the cars were lined up on the side of the road. As beautiful as the falls are - and they were stunning - it was only a start to an almost perfect day.

The first thing we did on our visit was head up to Looking Glass Falls (named because the falls freeze in the winter and the ice looks like a mirror).  By the time we got there (mid-morning), the cars were lined up on the side of the road.

As beautiful as the falls are - and they were stunning - it was only a start to an almost perfect day.

We flew to North Carolina last night and spent the first day of vacation mostly at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The weather looked threatening all day, but the weather was so cool at dusk that we decided to walk to the beach to dip our feet in the ocean anyway. Brita and I held hands and enjoyed the cool ocean on our feet while looking out for jellyfish washing up on shore. Gretchen and Lars played catch with an old baseball we found on the way. As the sun set, other families made their way to the beach to enjoy the last moments of the day. No matter how many time I visit, this beach always makes me feel good.

We flew to North Carolina last night and spent the first day of vacation mostly at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. The weather looked threatening all day, but the weather was so cool at dusk that we decided to walk to the beach to dip our feet in the ocean anyway.

Brita and I held hands and enjoyed the cool ocean on our feet while looking out for jellyfish washing up on shore. Gretchen and Lars played catch with an old baseball we found on the way. As the sun set, other families made their way to the beach to enjoy the last moments of the day.

No matter how many time I visit, this beach always makes me feel good.

Bought my first fishing license of my life today. Went on a boat cruise on the St. Croix with friends, then ended the day by fishing together behind Schoony’s in Taylors Falls. That’s the point. I just wanted to write that I went fishing behind Schoony’s with my kids.

Bought my first fishing license of my life today. Went on a boat cruise on the St. Croix with friends, then ended the day by fishing together behind Schoony’s in Taylors Falls.

That’s the point. I just wanted to write that I went fishing behind Schoony’s with my kids.

The helicopters are buzzing our buildings doing arial shots of the city. Meanwhile, this lot has pieces of fake debris from a fake destroyed building. It looks real, but feels like rubber to the touch. Michael Bay is somewhere out there filming the next Transformers movie. Since I’ve seen this much, T3 might have to be my first and only Transformers movie.

The helicopters are buzzing our buildings doing arial shots of the city. Meanwhile, this lot has pieces of fake debris from a fake destroyed building. It looks real, but feels like rubber to the touch. Michael Bay is somewhere out there filming the next Transformers movie. Since I’ve seen this much, T3 might have to be my first and only Transformers movie.