In late August, my husband and I took a road trip to beautiful West Virginia for a long weekend. This is something that had been on my wish list for a while. Our daughter visited the New River Gorge area in Fayetteville, W.V. a few times and knew we would love it, so on her suggestion we decided to go. I was surprised to learn that it's not that far away - only about a 4-hour drive from our home Continue Reading
PHOTO TOUR: A gorgeous weekend at the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In August my husband and I ventured to the southwest part of our state, North Carolina, for a much-needed few days in the mountains. While I have been to the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Asheville and Boone areas, I had never been south of Asheville. And visiting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been on my destination bucket list for several years. To stay the least, this visit didn't Continue Reading
REVIEW: Renting a cabin for our mountain getaway
Recently my husband and I took a few days to get away to the mountains in the southwest part of our state, North Carolina. We wanted a quiet and private place to stay, but nothing that was too far away from things. And being that our state is still operating under COVID-19 guidelines, it was also important to us that we be as "socially distanced" and safe as possible. I really didn't want to Continue Reading
Ladies celebrate National Trails Day with a hike
I was excited to lead a women's hike on June 2, National Trails Day! National Trails Day is an annual initiative of the American Hiking Society to encourage everyone to experience the great outdoors. Events are held across the country. We explored the lovely Mountain Loop Trail at the Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, N.C. This scenic trail goes through the woods, Continue Reading
Photo tour: A hike at beautiful Stone Mountain State Park, NC
Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. On Labor Day, I had the pleasure of spending a gorgeous afternoon doing two favorite things: Spending time with both of my kids, and visiting one of North Carolina's lovely mountain parks. My daughter and son are in their 20s, with their own full lives and careers, so I treasure any time it works out that we can all get together and Continue Reading
Geology Hike at Occoneechee Mountain offers education, scenic beauty
This weekend I got to do something that's been on my want-to-do list for a while. I went on the guided Geology Hike at Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area in Hillsborough, N.C. Geologist and author Jean-Michel Margot, originally from Switzerland and now retired, is a volunteer with the park and leads the hikes. At 867 feet above sea level, the Occoneechee Mountain summit is the highest Continue Reading