Mountain Vacation Part 1

We got back yesterday from our week long mountain vacation. It was wonderful!!!!! We usually head to the beach the last week of August but this year with the uncertainty of the oil spill we decided to do something a little different. We headed to the mountains of western North Carolina. I found an awesome cabin in the woods that we rented for the week. The cabin was just outside of Franklin, NC. This was close to where my family used to go every summer for a week growing up. The trip brought back so many great memories for me. It was so neat to be able to share some of the things from my childhood with my kids. The vacation was full of lots of fun and LOTS of relaxing. It was wonderful!! Just what we all needed.

We went up last Friday night. We had been battling the stomach bug the whole week before so we weren't sure if we were going but we packed up and went on. My parents met us up there for the first few days. That was fun! Saturday was the only rainy day that we had. It rained most of the day. We headed out anyway and hit some of the sites in Franklin. That didn't take too long. It is a small town with not much going on. We laughed that every night at 8 the town closed up. It was fun. I think my mom and I hit every second hand and thrift store in the area!

We also went to the local Scottish museum. Bet you didn't know they had a Scottish museum in Franklin NC. It was sort of funny. Kate liked dressing up in the Scottish hats!

Ben with the Scottish flags.

We also went to the Franklin Gem and Mineral Museum. Let me tell you it was oh so exciting!

A rare family picture that is decent.

As much as I make fun of Franklin I do have to admit they have some awesome places to eat. Everyday we ate a meal out that was amazing. We got some great recommendations. It was all so yummy! This was at Sunset Restaurant. We ate there a lot when we went 20 years ago. They have amazing homemade pies.

Sunday we packed up and hit the "Road to Highlands." Our first stop was at Dry Falls.

It is a quick hike down to where you can stand behind the falls. Kate loved it. Ben was a little nervous at first but then liked the idea of being behind the waterfall.

Granna and Grandaddy with us!

Another family picture!

After the falls we went on to Highlands. It is a great upscale town that has neat shops. We just roamed the streets and enjoyed the great weather. The weather was amazing for the whole trip. Highs in the 70s. Lows in the 50s. It was perfect. Not a cloud in the sky!!!

Sunday night we tried our hand at starting a campfire. It didn't go so well. The wood was still wet from the rain the day before. Matt tried for about an hour and just couldn't get it going.

The cabin was amazing. It was on the side of the mountain and set right beside a great creek. Ben enjoyed exploring the creek.

And throwing rocks!
Since we couldn't get the fire started we did oven smores instead. They were yummy!

As you can tell I enjoyed them. So did Kate!
We played lots and lots of games!!! We love to play games.

Monday my parents had to leave in the afternoon. We ate an amazing bbq restaurant before they left - Fat Buddies! We then went to the local park and enjoyed the great weather just playing outside.

The area outside the cabin was amazing. We loved just sitting outside on the porch or laying on a blanket right by the creek.

Monday night we retried the fire and got it started right away. We roasted marshmallows. Yum!

Ben and Matt loved exploring the creek. They waded up and down the creek.

The kiddos had a great time playing together all week.

Tuesday we set off on a hiking adventure. We hiked the Rufus Bald Trail. It was lots of fun for us. It went up to a great waterfall. Both the kids love the hiking adventures.

The hike was easy and up to a great creek and waterfall area where we stopped for a snack.

Ben loved being the hiking leader!

We made it to the waterfall.

Well this is just the start. I won't bore you all in one post so I will save the rest for later!