Road Trippin' June! by Karen Ruhl

Alan and Craig at The Blowing Rock

Photo by Karen Ruhl

We had such a great time in May taking our friend and Craig’s high school classmate, Alan Warren, around the area to share North Carolina’s beauty.

The photo on the right was taken at The Blowing Rock - in Blowing Rock, NC. Such a beautiful park to visit. You can grab a bench and sit a while too!

Alan is a photographer as well so we enjoyed seeing the sites and taking photos.

While at The Blowing Rock, I asked if anyone wanted to go up on the rock and let me that their photo. Sophia said yes, what a sweet new friend!

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

There is a nice pond and small little waterfall where you can sit and enjoy the turtles and the view of the mountains. These little fellows were more than happy to pose for me.

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

The day was hazy so you can’t see the depth of The Blue Ridge Mountains in this photo. It is amazing on a clear day - what does that song say...You Can See Forever!

There is a small museum with memorabilia in the park. I enjoyed seeing this old advertising sign and a picture of The Tweetsie Railroad train being delivered up the mountain. This is a place to go when you are in the area!

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Our next venture was to go to Lake Lure to show Alan the Flowering Brige. We decided to take the boat tour and we are sure glad we did! The guide tells the history of the lake and the movies that were shot there...nope...you have to visit to see which ones! Hint: Dirty Dancing and Last Of The Mohicans may be two of them.

The Flowering Bridge is never a disappointment. We are thankful for the Garden Club that volunteers many hours to keep this bridge beautiful for us all to enjoy.

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

A couple of beautiful homes on Lake Lure. The landscaping around these homes is amazing too.

Photo by Karen Ruhl

The next stop was Pearson’s Falls. It is 1/4 mile walk according to the ranger, and I mistakenly told Alan an easy one to make. We made it and we were both in awe of the falls. We had rain in the area the night before so the falls were running. It is a 90’ spectacular waterfall.

Along the path, someone built a rock carin pictured below. The first one was left behind, the second one I built. I just couldn’t resist being a Karen building a Carin!

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

The photo just above is the lower falls and very pretty as well. After leaving the falls, we drove through the small town of Saluda and saw these in a field. Craig doesn’t even have to ask, he knows I love to shoot rusty gold!

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Photo by Karen Ruhl

Well, I am afraid I have run out of room. Day three was to the Hickory Airport to see the Aircraft Museum and then lunch at the train depot before heading to the Southeastern Narrow Gauge & Shortline Museum in Newton. So trains, planes, and automobiles along with a boat ride and a lot of photo opportunities made for a great time for all. Get out and explore around you, there is beauty everywhere. God bless You!