Beautiful Blowing Rock

As soon as the fall rolls around, our family yearns to visit North Carolina.  Give us gorgeous leaves, cool/fresh air, nature and quality family time!  Blowing Rock is one of our favorite places, and we couldn't wait to visit last month.  We spent every day outdoors, soaking up the gorgeous landscape and fall fun activities.  We spent the majority of our days hiking along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and our nights were spent in front of the fire. 

The view from one of our decks

Linville Falls

The boys had a blast at Grandfather Mountain.  We crossed the Mile High Swinging Bridge to Calloway Peak.  It was a little scary to take two fearless boys out onto a peak, but the beauty and views were worth it...just as long as they didn't let go of our hands (believe me, they tried). 

 

We also had a great time exploring the wildlife habitats.  

 

 

Hen posed and said, "Take my picture!"

Laura, Mike and Bennie drove up for the weekend. It was so much fun watching the cousins together.  Next time we see them, the Collins will be a family of four, and we are so excited to meet baby Cason! 

 

We had a great time visiting with Gardner!

If we weren't hiking, we were exploring Downtown Blowing Rock and playing at the park.

The boys begged to go apple picking again at the Orchard at Altapass.

 

The parkway is literally one of the most gorgeous sites in the world.  It is so peaceful driving along the winding roads, and we constantly gasped out loud at the beauty. 

 

More hiking pictures...This year, the boys had so much fun chasing each other along the trails, playing hide-n-seek, tag, and saying, "Can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man!"

 

Another favorite thing we did is visit the Foggy Mountain Gem Mine.  The boys loved sifting through their bucket looking for treasures. 

We were all sad to leave (Cohen cried a few times)!

 We can't wait to go back...SOON!