A Day In The Mountains

Moments ago a new edition of You Got Mail published. I hadn’t really planned to do a double post but it just worked out this way.  A week ago today, we took a trip to the mountains. Our first destination was Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We went across the Smoky’s. Traffic through the foothill towns were more congested. A quick Internet check showed me schools in our area were out for the holiday. Thankfully, traveling across the mountains wasn’t heavy.  It was a beautiful warm day with temperatures around the mid 70s in the lower elevation!

By the time, we reached Waterrock Knob parking, our car thermometer read 63º.  The breeze felt a bit chilly at times but it was refreshingly nice.  The parking area is large and quite flat offering an almost 360 view to visitors.  It was interesting on this side of the mountain, looking toward the east, in the picture above the visibility was clear but on the other side the mountain ridges appeared gray. This spot would be a lovely place to have a home.  

After a good leg stretch, we hit the road again heading to Waynesville, NC. 

DH found a bakery, naturally, he wanted to try, Kandi’s Cake & Bake Shop. It’s a small place but it kept a steady stream of customers coming in.  I loved seeing Easter themed pastries like hot cross buns. We didn’t get any of them.  DH picked out half a dozen items to sample. The two pastries we liked were the cinnamon bun and blueberry bear claw. In retrospect,  I wish I had snapped a picture of Kandi’s.  I did take a photo of an old house that looked neat. I suspect it’s a vintage store but didn’t see its shingle anywhere. Google Maps confirmed its identity, Southern Charm Vintage Market.  Next time, we’re in the area we will need to go.

Another attempt or two was made to go to other places before we bailed and headed for home. On the way, we took a brief detour to drive partly around Lake Junaluska. The dogwood blooms looked gorgeous! Had it not been so late in the afternoon and parking more available then it would’ve been great to walk the lake shore path, maybe next time will be better. 

Leaving Cherokee, just pass the Smoky Mountains Visitors Center we spotted people congregating and a few vehicles pulled over. This usually means wildlife. Driving by slowly, I could see a couple of elk across the river and craning my neck around as we passed, I notice two elk in the water. That would’ve been cool to capture but there was no place close to pull off.  Oh bother!