Way beyond the Blue Ridge Parkway ...

David was on call this Sunday so we were unable to go anywhere interesting for Labor Day weekend. We got up this morning and over a great breakfast of Snow Creek sausage and blueberry pancakes we decided to take a drive up to the Blue Ridge Parkway . So we put together a little picnic and gathered many, many supplies for Birdie and set out on an adventure to take advantage of the cooler weather.

While driving and perusing the map of the southern part of the parkway we decided to head north (we usually go south to the Pisgah National Forest) and check out the Folk Art Center, Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell. The first stop was the Folk Art Center on the parkway. This is the home of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and when they refer to folk art, they are not talking stuff like Ernest "Chicken Man" Lee--this is serious "craft" stuff with quilts for over $3000! No Madison you cannot have that for your bedspread!

We had a picnic at the art center, checked out the art shop and listened to a Park Ranger talk about Beavers and how they build dams. We also met a lady who made really cool rag dolls and talked to the kids about always being brave enough to use their fairy wings. Brennan looked at her matter of factly and said "I don't have any wings."

Next we headed about 15 miles further north on the parkway to Craggy Gardens with a couple of overlook stopovers on the way. We pulled into the Craggy Gardens Picnic Area, not knowing that another 3 miles up the parkway is the Welcome Center for Craggy Gardens. Oops!

We decided to go on a leisurly 0.84 mile hike only to discover that it was quite steep. However the kids and Birdie were real troopers! They had a great time walking, smelling flowers, picking blueberries and exploring a cave. Birdie was the Energizer Bunny and just kept going and going and going .... Periodically she would slow down and turn around just to make sure everyone was together. It was very cute, she is already very aware of who is in her family.

And of course, everyone we ran into wanted to pet our puppy! One little boy named Noah (his father was a Gator fan--but seemed to be nice. He was originally from Minnesota so maybe that was why he was sane) refused to let Birdie out of his sight. Noah is 3 years old and if he lost Birdie he would ask--in his cute baby voice--where did the doggy go? He reminded me of Howie Mandel doing his Bobby impressions!

After a great hike we decided to treat ourselves to a great dinner at the Moose Cafe at the Western North Carolina Farmers Market located right off both I-40 and I-26. We filled our bellies with salisbury steak, chicken and dumplins, fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, collards, green beans and the biggest biscuits with the best apple butter you have ever had. Upon leaving we bought our obligatory case of apple butter (don't worry, we don't eat it all ourselves).

The long hike worked to our advantage as everyone was very tired and even Birdie slept all night last night! What a great day!