Later we rounded everybody back up and headed over to my bil and sil's house for dinner. So much of the time we are only able to see them on the run or in little snatches of time. It was nice to be able to spend several, uninterrupted hours with them. We stopped on the way out of town here and bought a flat of strawberries for them - so the girls gorged on the strawberries and cupcakes that their aunt had made - and the girls helped to ice. We found out the EM really, really likes strawberries and will eat the entire berry if you are not fast enough in cutting off the cap.
Here she is covered in strawberry juice stuffing one of the cupcakes into her mouth.
K helped her aunt ice the cupcakes - mmm doesn't the icing look good.
The next day we decided, after going through all the brochures the in-laws keep at their cabin to head south on the Parkway and go visit some gem/mineral mines. It was about an hour-and-a-half drive down so we made a "facility" stop at the Linville Falls visitor building. DH and the park ranger struck up a conversation, so we ended up talking to him for awhile. He was really good about answering the girls' questions about fishing and storm debris, beaver dens and such. We even got to hear about the flood of 2004 which just about wiped out the entire Linville Falls park area. We decided to save the hike up to the falls viewing for another visit.
This shot was on the banks of the river. MB is holding onto EM because EM keep trying to go In the river.
The next stop was a tiny crossroads called Little Switzerland where we had lunch at a small cafe. This crossroad serves a high-end resort and vaction place so it wasn't your run-of-the-mill cafe. The sandwhiches they served were really good and the girls enjoyed their "fancy" grilled cheese sandwhiches. The cafe was attached to a bookstore that I could have very easily stayed at and let the girls go rock hunting without me. The bookstore sold hardback, out of print books from the early 20th century. And they had comfy, oversized leather chairs with a roaring fire that one could just sink into.
The mine museum was cool and you could walk through part of an old mine that was used in the early 20th century. These were not coal mines. They mined for other rock and minerals that were used in the making of various products. For the girls the most interesting aspect was all the rocks to climb on.
Across the street from the museum, they had an area set up where you pan for your own rocks, minerals and gems. You buy a bucket of mine debris and then sift through it.
We ended up with three bags of rocks and minerals to sift through and identify as soon as I can purchase a guide. Unfortunately we did not strike it rich - but people have actually been known to find emeralds and other precious gems mixed in.
EM just enjoyed herself - rocks, water and wooden boards that make noise.
After a stop by the gift shop for cold drinks and some rock candy we headed back "home." We had thought to stop by the Linville Caverns on the way back but
with all the girls looking like this, we decided we would do the caverns on another trip.
Saturday night the big girls went with DH to watch their uncle sing in a barbershop quartet/choral performance for the community. I stayed behind with a very tired baby. Of course I was very tired too.
Sunday we packed, cleaned and drove home. It was nice to be home - but this had been a really good short trip for us and I was sorry to see it end.
Peace,
Amy
1 comment:
OH, LOL! That is one tired young lady!
The trip sounds fantastic - I am just dying to find that bookstore, though. I'd send Zorak ahead w/ the kids and the museum info, hand over my debit card at the register, and just collapse in one of those chairs. ;-)
Glad you are home, safe and sound.
Dy
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