Grandfather Mountain

We drove from Asheville through the Pisgah National Forest up to Grandfather Mountain today. The autumn scenery was spectacular! Most of the trees had lost their leaves as we got to the Blueridge Parkway (it is at a much higher altitude) but the sun shining through the forest was still beautiful.
There was a large park like area at Grandfather Mountain used annually for the "Highland Games" - a gathering of the Scottish clans. It reminded me of Jamie and Claire from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series of novels. A wonderful read!
We ate a picnic lunch at the top of the mountain and walked across the mile high swinging bridge - which thankfully, did not swing! - and then drove into Blowing Rock, NC and shopped around the quaint town. We bought this neat little "fire pot" - a ceramic pot with an insert that you fill with a sterno like substance and presto, an outside fire! Sort of a cross between a campfire and a fireplace but small enough to store without Roger complaining!
Our travels took us back by Julian Price Memorial Park where we camped with Mom & Izetta and Heather & Kyle several years ago. Good memories!

We spent yesterday touring downtown Asheville. We went to the historic Grove Park Inn but passed on seeing the Biltmore Mansion when we found out it now costs $60/person! We saw it before with Heather & Kyle and decided seeing it with Christmas trees wasn't worth $120.00! They wouldn't even let us go to the Biltmore Winery without tickets to see the house!

We leave for Charleston in the morning!