BEING A TOURIST IN MY OWN BACKYARD - PART 2

For those of you who only know me as a fiber artist......I had another life prior to picking up a needle.  I was heavily involved in cooking.  In fact my first published book was a children's cookbook.  Daily cooking isn't so much fun anymore, but special occassion or cooking for company really gears me up.

That means we've been dining well.  So well actually, that another hike was added to our activities in the hopes we'd burn off some of those extra calories.

We visited Mt. Mitchell......as you can see....the elevation is impressive. 

The views are breathtaking!!

The mountain was named after Elisha Mitchell, a scientist who died in 1857 during his quest to record its height.

My BIL stands next to the declaration that this is the highest peak East of the Mississippi at 6,684 ft.

The little brass circle set within the outline of the state of NC is the exact measurement spot used to make this place famous.

Kinda sad but appropriate......Rev. Mitchell was buried right there on his beloved mountain.

I moved to NC 10 years ago and this was my first visit to Mt. Mitchell....though 'the husband' had ridden his motorcycle to the top numerous times.  We saw two fellows on bicycles.....not an inch of fat on either of them. The trek up the mountain is not for beginners!  I bet they didn't go back home that night have have chocolate peanut butter cream cheese pie with an Oreo cookie crust like we did?? Though they could each have eaten a whole pie with all the calories they must have burned.

No matter where you live.......take a little time to get out and enjoy your surroundings.

BEING A TOURIST IN OUR OWN BACKYARD - PART 1

With family in town and perfect weather, we headed out to do the tourist thing.  This day included a picnic lunch in Dupont State Forest where the beauty of numerous waterfalls amazed us.  I visited several times before but appreciated it just as much this trip. 

After passing over the iron bridge entryway, we saw a few fading wild flowers.....surely the last of the summer.

 And then the waterfalls.....both small and grand.

 Sooty, our black lab, smelled her way throughout the 60+ minute hike.

 A band of sunlight made these ferns sparkle.

 We made two stops on our way home.....leaving Sooty in the car when we stopped at Bridal Falls....another well-known area waterfall.  She kept her eyes focused out the front window waiting for our return.

 Our last stop was the famous Sliding Rock.....a long rather flat rock where the adventurous sit in the freezing cold, fast moving water as it swooshes the person down into the pool like alcove at the end.

This fellow is about half way to the end.  It was great fun to watch.  It's a shame it takes out of town visitors for us to get out and enjoy our own backyard!

NEXT STOP SAN FRANCISCO

I truly left my heart in San Francisco, where our family celebrated our grandson's first birthday.

 We visited the amazing Bay Kids Museum.....even the location of the parking lot in view of the famous Golden Gate Bridge was breathtaking. For blogger readers who have kids or grand kids.....do take a minute to look at their website....there are lots of ideas that can be translated into your own backyard or playroom.

Kids large and small loved this 'stream'....filled with plastic fish, frogs and other 'chewable' delights.

 Faux rocks that are soft and climbable were a favorite hangout for the little tots.  (As enjoyed by our DIL and 1 year old Raiden.)

 This is just one of dozens of creative play stations featuring bridges, underground crawling areas, and slides.  There was also a pond like section that had  water bed style areas where the kids could walk/jump from 'puddle' to 'puddle'.

 A storytelling area is another popular feature.

 Another building was reserved as an art/craft studio.  Each month a different artist is featured.  Roy Lichtenstein's pop art was their current inspiration. This work was actually created on canvas by children. 

 Some of the children were playing with this interesting product.  Bubber is from Sweden.....learn about this crazy modeling 'stuff' here.

 In a corner of one of the craft rooms I noticed this art on the wall......

...and was amazed to see it was inspired by Faith Ringgold.  

This post may bore some of you.....but indulge me....I had so much fun spending time with our little one as he explored this very special place.

BEAUTIFUL OREGON

How great to have family living in such beautiful parts of our country!  I just enjoyed a week on the West coast....my first stop being Eugene, OR. where the weather was superb.  Spring hasn't sprung here in the mountains of North Carolina, so sunny warm weather was very much appreciated.

 We visited Hendricks Park, Eugene's oldest city park.  Its 80 acres includes a world-renowned rhododendron garden and a native plant garden which was in full bloom.

 Stunning, no??

 One could leisurely stroll groomed paths or take a hardy hike.

 The fragrance in the air should be bottled!

Another activity one can enjoy in this area is to take a drive about 15 miles from Eugene where there are dozens of wineries.  With the vines just starting their growth, the fields reminded me of a patchwork quilt.

Alas, I have no sewing projects to share......bear with me for a few days as I share what one quilter did on her mini vacation.

ORIOLE MILL

Today was our June PTA meeting. Member, Georgia Bonesteel, arranged for us to tour Oriole Mill in Hendersonville, NC.  The opportunity to see a working weaving mill in operation is very special. Be sure to follow the lint above to learn more.

The following 3 photos are examples of some of their designs....we all loved the colorful pieces. The mill is expert at Jacquard weaving......watch this video....the speed of these machines will blow your mind.

 This 73,000 sq/ft. facility is on 4 acres, run by a very small yet high energy staff who are dedicated to keeping the tradition of this area alive.  If I'm remembering correctly, this is only 1 of 4 mills remaining in this state.

 Because I'm not a weaver, it took me awhile to comprehend the process, even though we had a guide who shared tons of information.


This gigantic machine was dedicated to making the warp....which is the set of lengthwise threads/yarns that are held in tension on a frame/loom...or in this case the huge industrial machines.

 That process begins with super sized spools of real true fine Egyptian cotton thread.....

 The threads come off hundreds of spools  and are threaded through various tension disks that ultimately merge down to one end.  

 In this case each 'set' of warp was over 400 threads.

Many, many 'sets' are then loaded onto these huge spools on the machine. It can take a week to set up a machine with the thousands of warp threads!

Here several members are being tutored on how the weft threads are woven. (the horizontal thread that is sandwiched between the warp)

 

To conclude our day, owner/textile designer, Bethanne Knudson brought Georgia Bonesteel (left) an original Bonesteel Hardware store wood ruler.  The store is where Georgia had her quilting corner and where Lap Quilting began.


Bethanne's 80 year old mother's birthday was approaching and she hoped Georgia would autograph the ruler so she could present it to her Mom who is a big fan of Georgia's.

What a small world......Georgia was flattered, Bethanne was thrilled, and all PTA members were happy that we can call Georgia a friend!

REALLY WEIRD

While we were at the quilt show, my friend found this weird, almost creepy item in a vendor's booth.

It's an apron of sorts

....it's satin with plastic baby dolls stitched on.....the larger ones have eyes that open and close.....  We didn't know what on earth to think about this.

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

We were invited to join friends who were being escorted onto private property to get a bird's eye view of our mountain valley. There are an astonishing number of back roads & cattle paths that really....only the locals know about and are free to access. Newbies like us wouldn't even know who to ask for permission....and would likely be turned down if we did.

Here's our guide....Frank.....who was born and raised here. He talked nonstop on our 2+ hr. venture. He knew EVERYONE....and knew something ABOUT everyone. He told tales about other ''fellas, youngin's, murderers, moonshiners, relatives, mountain musicians"....I wish I'd have had a tape recorder. The stories about his family, memories of his youth and wonderful ones of his Mother who was a nurse and delivered babies in the most remote locations here where 'folks' lived in tiny wooden structures up in the 'hollers' without insulation and only a wood stove to keep them warm were eye opening. It was clear for the most part, these folks were all very hard working people who loved their mountain life.

This is where we are headed.....to the top of the 'bald'.....a term for areas at the top of mountains that have no trees.

We hiked through huge cattle pastures....many farmers have already moved their stock down to lower pastures for the winter....but these remained.

We are now about half way to the top......side stepping cow pies everywhere!

Our valley is called Crabtree.......and of course you'll find apple trees everywhere. The cattle love to hang out under them......and eat the apples as they fall.

We are nearly to the top after about an hour of walking switch back paths. The small out building was no longer in use....... You can't imagine how inaccessible this is.....

This view may give you a better idea of just how step and high we were.... We learned so much from Frank and have been promised more adventures if we are up to it.....and we definitely are....this was a fascinating day!