Vacation

We had an AWESOME vacation last week at a cabin we rented in Macon Co., NC at 3500 ft elevation. It felt like October, sunny and cool. Our cabin overlooked Lake Nantahala.

View from the cabin:



We found it on vrbo.com (vacation rentals by owner). It was a GREAT place to stay, close to the Great Smoky Mtns. National Park (though we didn't go there), close to the Appalachian and Bartram Trails, close to the Nantahala River, and all kinds of other cool stuff.

View from the cabin at sunset:



We rafted on the Nantahala the first day we were there. (It made Kimberly feel old because she first did that 16 years ago.) Then we went to look at waterfalls around Highlands, NC. This is Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi:



On the way back, we stopped at the Scottish Heritage Museum in Franklin. Apparently there are more people of Scottish heritage in NC than anywhere besides Scotland. Kimberly got a MacPherson tartan scarf and a book on the history of the MacPherson clan, whose motto is "Don't touch the cat without a glove." (Don't ask me why, going to have to google that one).

Then we were joined by our friends Wade and Mary Cox and Westbrook (2 yo) and Llandis (9 mo old). Westbrook is quite talented at kicking the "pink ball," shown here with him and Llandis sitting in his popup soccer goal.



We took the kids to a playground which had an awesome view, like everywhere else around there. Josh and Westbrook played on the slide:



We visited the camp where Wade went as a child, The Mountain.





On the way back, Josh jumped off a cliff into the (freezing cold) Cullasaja River.



Here is Westbrook with Dino Bear and Fireman Bear. Note they are wearing the same undies as him; this was his idea.



Here is Llandis getting her first bites of mashed up banana (she is ridiculously cute):



On the 4th of July, Wade's brother Sean joined us for an evening of grilling out, watching fireworks, and music. Here he is playing the harmonica with Westbrook:



Here is Kimberly listening to Josh play the guitar:



On July 5, Kimberly and Josh went to watch the sunrise at Wayah Bald, which is over a mile high. Note the fleeces, and we were shivering. It was beautiful. We sat there for a few minutes and then noticed a strange noise wafting up from below.... then freaked out when we realized it was snoring. But it was okay, just some campers, possibly some hikers on the trail.



Here is a group shot of all of us:



We are ready to go again, let us know if you want to join us, or if you decide to rent from the same landlord because we get $50 for referring you. :) It is truly a spectacular place to rest, relax, and have a great time. Peace everyone.

Josh and Kimberly