Why so Blue?

The count down has begun. With only two weeks left, I am trying to pack in all the sight seeing that I can. With little convincing, me and a friend headed west for the Blue Ridge Mountains, or as the people like to call it in these parts, the high country. It was so nice to be back on top of mountains looking down at the beautiful scenery. I stayed in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. It is a cute little town with a village like feel. The main street is lined with stone churches and quaint shops. I discovered that off the beaten path, there are hiking trails leading to waterfalls. The descent into Johns River Gorge is a little deceiving until you are hiking back up it. Let's just say the legs and glutes got a workout. What a peaceful hike though as you follow along the river listening to water rush over rocks. I went in the shops, but as usual, I didn't purchase much because that is one more thing that has to come back with me. The night ended with a fabulous meal at an uppity local restaurant called Twigs. The duck that I ordered melted in my mouth.

Sunday was a beautiful day with perfect weather. After a large breakfast, it was on to Blowing Rock, a cliff overhanging Johns River Gorge 3000 ft below. Indian legend has it that a Chickasaw chieftan hid his daughter at Blowing Rock to avoid admiration from the white man. She fell in love with a Cherokee. One day the sky turned red and the brave Cherokee leaped from the rock into the wilderness below as this was a sign of trouble which commanded his return to the plains. The maiden prayed daily to the Great Spirit to return her lover and one night with the sky red once again, the wind blew her lover back into her arms. From that day on, a perpetual wind has blown up onto the rock from the valley below. For many, this was an explanation for the mysterious winds to cause snow to fall upside down. Now who doesn't enjoy a good love story? Yeah, yeah, yeah...anyway, the view was great from the top.

Next it was on to Grandfather Mountain, the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Pioneers named it so because it resembles an old man looking into the sky, but it also accurately reveals it's age which is estimated to be more than a billion years old. It has been singled out by the United Nations as a member of the international network of Biosphere Reserves, is 1 of 482 Biosphere Reserves in the world, and the only privately owned biosphere in the world. Now if you are like me and are left wondering what the heck does that mean, let me explain and put a wrinkle in your brain. Grandfather Mountain has global ecological significance and is protected from development, has a history of scientific research, and provides public education. The mountain supports 66 rare and endangered species and as many as 200 species of birds have been found here. I was able to see cougars and even one bear that decided to come out of hibernation early. I particularly enjoyed the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the highest suspension footbridge in America and was glad that it was not too windy that day. However, not having adequate wind made it difficult for the parachute army men to really take flight off the side of the mountain. Not my idea but fun nonetheless. The panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains was great. Ah...a definite "go God" moment. Although not looking forward to driving back to Rocky Mount, somehow it didn't seem all that bad knowing I only have two weeks left!