.....okay, not THE Bat Cave, but a funny little town in the mountains of North Carolina, not too far from Asheville. This weekend we drove up into the mountains to find an apple orchard and see some fall color (something that is seriously lacking in Columbia!). Jon's older brother David and his family met us at Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC, and we spent the day together. Flat Rock is just about halfway between our place and theirs, so it worked out well. What we didn't anticipate was that half the state would have the same idea! The orchard was positively teeming with people, and it quickly became overwhelming. We looked around some, got some donuts, apples and cider, and went on our way.
Our original plan was to go to Chimney Rock State Park and just drive through Bat Cave on the way, but that fell apart pretty quickly when we realized that we could park and climb down to the creek that runs through town. I love mountain streams and have many, many memories of playing in the "crick" at various relatives' homes as a child. Since I was sitting in the passenger seat chanting " I wanta play in the crick! I wanta play in the crick!" I guess Jon decided that it would be easier to give in (thus shutting me up) than listen to me for the next hour or so. He was right, too. The kids and I had a grand time hopping from rock to rock and playing in the (cold!!) water. What can I say? Creeks make me happy!
Once Jon dragged me away from the water, we were planning to go on to the park. Brenda (sister-in-law), however, knew of a weaver's outlet just up the road a couple miles, so we went there while the men and the young 'uns went on to the park. Oh, am I ever glad Brenda told me about this place! The Manual Woodworkers and Weavers retail outlet is fantastic. You name it, they've got it - and at killer prices, too. I found the perfect Christmas gift for my mom, which thrilled me to no end. The place is like going down the rabbit hole - every time you turn around, there's something else to see. We had ourselves a good time!
After emerging from the cave of wonder, Brenda and I headed back up the road toward Chimney Rock, only to spot our husbands and children parked by the creek again. Whaaaaaat? Apparently, unlike most state parks I've been to, admission there is per person rather than per vehicle, and it was $12 each. Since the guys didn't feel like shelling out $60 to hike up the mountain when they could play in the creek for free, they retraced their path and waited for us. Actually Jon had called me approximately 37 times, but I wasn't getting any signal at all at the outlet so I didn't get his calls. (Honest! Ask Brenda!) We hung out a little longer, took some pictures, and then went our respective ways. All in all, a good time on a beautiful fall Saturday.
And here's the whole crew! L to R - Seth, looking grim; Luke, looking - weird?; Jon, looking a little tired; me, looking happy (creek!); and Faith, looking like she's trying not to laugh. Before anyone asks, no, I am not freakishly tall, I'm standing on a rock behind my honey.
I come to you in the form of a bat to remind you that...BlogFestivus starts today!
Bat signal out. :-)
Posted by: Blogdramedy | December 01, 2011 at 01:00 PM
This is my first time i visit here. I found interesting things too many in your blog, mostly to the debate.
Posted by: spy software | April 13, 2012 at 01:33 AM
Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright....lol.
Posted by: keylogger Mac | April 13, 2012 at 01:48 AM