GCR Fall Getaway

Article and photos by Cynthia Diaz

It was a wonderful six days and five nights of fun fall adventures with the PCA-GCR family.

We had a smaller group this year due to the COVID-19, so we socially distanced and everyone stayed safe. 10/21 On our first night, we stopped and stayed overnight in Savannah, Georgia. We stayed in the Historic District and did a wonderful walk. We stopped for a quick beer at Moon River Brewery, where Sheila & George Gasson from GCR had shared photos on FB a few nights before. We had a nice dinner overlooking the river and then it was off to Leopold’s Ice Cream, which is the best and a must-do when in the area! 10/22 Our first stop was at the Burntshirt Vineyard Restaurant and Tasting Room, while overlooking Chimney Rock and a beautiful waterfall. We met the other part of our GCR family, led by Ed Blair, for lunch. Our little group of four diverted to Hendersonville to explore the city and go to McFarlan’s Bakery. The town had a bear-themed auction, the Bearfootin Virtual Auction. We then drove to Asheville for a delicious lunch at Luella’s Bar-B-Que and afterward had reservations at New Belgium Brewing, where Fat Tire and many other national brands are created. Beautiful day. We made our way to Little Switzerland Inn in time for sunset and dinner with the entire group. 10/23-10/24 Fabulous drives throughout the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did a big group hike to Crabtree Waterfalls. It was a rather challenging walk due to the wet terrain and rocks, and it was well worth the effort. We worked up an appetite and drove to Linville Falls Winery for lunch and wine tasting. We sat overlooking gorgeous fall colors in the grapevine hills. 10/25 Jay and I left to go for brunch to Spartanburg to meet his nephew and girlfriend before our trip back to Florida. We drove to St. Augustine in time for a colorful sunset and dinner outside at Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grill. Since we had very little time to look around, and it is such a beautiful city, I would like to plan a 2021 overnight GCR drive and overnight stay in St. Augustine. 10/26 We stopped at Moonswiner’s Bar-B-Q for lunch and made our way back home.