Sunday Getaway

I have been hard at work on Etsy shop business the past couple of weeks with a custom order, a few standard orders, and a wholesale order.  So, it was a welcome break on Sunday when the Man of the House and I took a few hours to head over to the Biltmore Estate for a hike.

It was a perfect Spring day.  Clear blue skies.  Temperatures in the low 70s.  A bit of a breeze.  We couldn't have asked for better weather for our walk!

We parked down by the lagoon and followed the Deer Park Trail over to the Bass Pond.  This is a very hilly trail, taking you through large meadows and provides views of the estate and the home which most visitors never see.

After pausing at the Bass Pond to enjoy the view, we walked up through the gardens - where the azaleas and tulips were putting on their best colors.

Then it was back down through the deer park to the lagoon where we finished off our beautiful hike with a stroll and a relaxing picnic by the French Broad River.

And we even got to see some baby geese.  How cute is that?

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Road Trip: French Broad River

One of our family plans for this summer is to drive (as closely as possible) the path of the Old Buncombe Turnpike.  The second part of our journey took us north along the French Broad River into Madison County, North Carolina.

French Broad River at Ledges Park

Marshall, NC

 

Playing at the park on Blannahassett Island

Relaxing at the park

Crossing the bridge into "downtown" Marshall

Driving north out of Marshall

Little Pine, Madison County, NC

It's possible there is no more accurately descriptive road name anywhere

That's right y'all - PAYNE'S Chapel!  

 

Road Trip: Paint Creek

Saturday the Man of the House and I took a road trip up to Greeneville, TN.

The main purpose of the trip was to meet up with his second cousin once removed (??) at the T. Elmer Cox Historical and Genealogical library to share family information and for him to scan some photos and documents she had.  It was a nice meeting and a few hours just seemed to fly while they chatted.  Much to his surprise she ended up sending him home with some family treasures - including a large portrait of his great-great grandparents and a family Bible!  

We took the "long way" home through Paint Creek, past Paint Rock, and down the French Broad River through Hot Springs.  We've traveled this way many times through various seasons and it is always beautiful! 

This time we found the creek and river were high thanks to all the rain from tropical storm Andrea on Friday. 

 

As I was busy snapping pictures of Paint Creek, I noticed the Man of the House wandering across the road and up a little trail hidden across the street.  I followed him and as I came to the top of the embankment, I was met with this:

 

The beauty of this little spot just took my breath away!  A tiny stream which feeds into Paint Creek.  Flowing in a small waterfall over moss covered rocks.  A small pool at the bottom.  Everything dim, and quiet and green.  It was simply stunning!

We continued down Paint Creek to where it meets up with the French Broad River at Paint Rock

French Broad River @ Paint Rock

Paint Rock

This little cross with the spray painted arrow caught my eye and reminded me of  Isaiah 30:21: " Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

In the shadow of Paint Rock