NC Vacation

We decided this year to vacation in the great state of NC. We have lived here nearly seven years, and there were still some things we wanted to see. It was the second week of August, and we are now getting ready to head to WV for a short family get-together, but I am faithful, if slow, so here are the pictures of some of the  highlights. The above picture is at Reed Gold Mine where we walked through an old mine and then were able to pan for gold. I did find a teeny-tiny nugget!

 The waterfall was at DuPont State Forest. It was a hot day and the hike to the falls was sweltering, but it was beautiful once you were there and the water was ICE cold! The only problem was the lack of restrooms. Port-a-Johns on a hot summer day are NOT pleasant.

 In Cherokee we went to the outdoor drama, Unto These Hills. It rained, but the show went on. #1 and I covered ourselves with a blanket while Hubby and #2 stood under a section of roofing. After intermission we joined them out of the rain.

 We stopped in a couple of towns and looked around. Our favorite was the sweet little town of Sylva. This picture is in front of a toy store in Brevard. My little guys enjoyed playing with a race track inside. I guess they never truly grow up.

 This is another waterfall at DSF. #2 had hoped to swim here, and we intended that he should, but the lack of restrooms had pushed me to my limits, and we left. It did look like fun though.

 While in Cherokee we went into the casino to try a restaurant, Paula Deen's Country Kitchen. The boys think she is funny and so we thought it would be a fun treat. Our food was good, but not great. It was fun to try new things though. I had lime coated catfish, and that was probably the best thing we ordered.

 #2 was dying to try the fried peanutbutter and jelly sandwich. It was sort of like a donut.

 #2 loves chicken pot pie, but I do believe he likes mine better than Paula Deen's. This had too much crust and was very salty.

 While in Cherokee we also visited the indian village. We took a tour and then we went back and stayed longer at the spots we liked. This guy was shooting with a blow gun, and he was great!

 #1 enjoyed talking with this Cherokee. He had lots of questions about what life was like for the early indians and how things are now. The indian, Matthew, was very kind to talk with us for so long.

The above picture is while we were waiting for our food at Paula Deen's. I wanted to get a picture this past Sunday of my boys, since it was Brother's Day, but I didn't make it. So here are my sweet boys in a momemt of brotherly love- that usually only happens when food is involved. Honestly.

 We also visited Old Salem in Winston-Salem. We took a whole day to look all around the village and talk to people. This guy was at the tavern and he showed us games you would have played there. This one is a number game the boys already play when they visit their grandparents in Motown.

 #2 was all about hte gun shop. He had lots of things to tell the worker, and he was usually right. #2 is looking forward to hunting with his grandad this fall.

 Upstairs in the tavern we were able to try out the bed. It was a rope bed, and actually it was more comfortable than I expected. Poor #2 would have had trouble sleeping though. People just weren't that tall back then.

Missing from the pictures are the hike we took near Charlotte at a state park. It was there that #2 took a wrong turn and became lost. It was nerve-wracking for just a little bit. I figured he knew to stop and wait for us if he got lost, but he walked a looonnnggg way before he decided that he was lost.
It was a nice vacation. Now there are only a few more things I want to do in NC---Wright Brother's Memorial, USS Wilmington Battleship, Blackbear's Exhibit in Beaufort, and see more lighthouses on the Outer Banks. Then I guess we start all over!