Calm and peaceful vacation with a side of adventure

We have had a great vacation so far.  Today, we are resting up from our hikes and white water rafting. Both were quite the experience.  We hiked up to the summit of Grandfather Mountain on Sunday.  It was a strenuous hike on some pretty rough terrain.  But the scenery as you can see below was gorgeous.  It was about 45 degrees and blowing 35 mph at the summit.  But it felt wonderful after a hard hike up.

Swing bridge over a gorge

View to summit of Grandfather

On Monday, we went rafting doing some class 3 rapids.  We were paired up with a couple having two young children who spent most of the time complaining or crying.  I am reminded again of why we don't have children.  I am sure that everyone loves their own dearly, but the rest of us don't necessarily find them as charming.  In their defense, I don't think they were the adventuresome sort and would have rather had some other activity.  The dad was detached and personable. The mother talked non-stop and kept asking us if Paula Dean was from our town.  She said that she thought her saying the "n" word was no reason to fire her.  Needless to say, we both had to practice "pause when agitated" several times.  Luckily, most of the time we were paddling, and the rushing water was drowning out her noisome chatter.  I now want to do an overnight trip and will probably try to book so that we either are the only couple or find a couple of friends to go along.  It was spectacular scenery--sheer cliffs, beautiful trees, and a winding river.

On Tuesday, we hiked through Linville Gorge and to the headwaters and plunge areas of the falls.  A lot of walking all day!  But the scenery continued to amaze me.  I am reminded of just how much beauty there is within several hours from home.  And the peacefulness was amazing.

The twin falls

Water rushing to the main falls

The gorge

Rafting area

We had an unintentional adventure today in the rain and fog.  I mapped a route to visit an area near Blowing Rock.  My iPhone with good ole Siri gave me directions.  The route took us off the tarmac onto a gravel road that wound for a couple of miles as we climbed the mountain.  We were surrounded in mist and clouds with not another car or person around.  Another exhilarating opportunity to take the sports car for a run on the switchbacks!

Shrouded by clouds and mist

Tomorrow, we are going zip lining through the tree canopy and over some gorges.  I hope that the rain will stop by then.  So far, it has been nice to try some new things.  And I know that whitewater rafting is definitely something that I want to do again.  

Tomorrow night, I am heading to a meeting. There will be another opportunity on Friday to go as well.  I feel amazingly calm and peaceful.  

Hope that you are having a good week.