Our Mount Mitchell Adventure

Last weekend we decided to drive to Mount Mitchell and do some hiking and exploring. Ever since I moved to Boone last summer I have been wanting to visit it. The North Carolina mountain holds the title of the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, measuring in at 6,684 feet above sea level!

No clue who the guy photobombing me in the background is. LOL

So Saturday morning we went. First tip – bring lunch. We didn’t because we thought the restaurant there would be open and surprise! it wasn’t. lol. It is only open seasonally. Thankfully we had snacks but there is literally nothing nearby as this is a remote area so bring all the food and drink you will need for the day. Little Switzerland is where we stopped at on the way home to eat and they have a nice lunch cafe. But it would have been better if we had packed a picnic lunch.

Loved all the fir trees!

Being at such a high elevation the vegetation is vastly different from the rest of the area. It truly feels more like a Canadian forest both temperature and tree wise. So unique and makes for some great hikes. Bryce had a blast pointing out the different trees to us and unique rocks.

My climber

Since my mother-n-law was with us and Bryce we only tackled the .75 mile Balsam Nature Trail. But it was beautiful and a nice way to stretch the legs after the long car ride. We also went to the observation platform and was amazed at the 360 degree views offered there!

On the way home we stopped for lunch at Little Switzerland and then came across the cutest ice cream/pie mom and pop store! It is called Linville River Mercantile and Bakery. It is located in Crossnore, NC. Stop by on your way back to Boone for a treat!

Mount Mitchell is only a few miles off of the Blue Ridge Parkway so the drive there and back from Boone was also a treat. Add this to your bucket list for sure!

A boy and his cat

Bryce loves our cat. It has been a challenge getting him to learn how to “play” gentle with her and not pull on her tail, tackle her, or otherwise annoy her.  The funny thing is that Sophie LOVES the attention. She is so patient with him and most of the time follows HIM around! Our cat is named Sophie an she is a Savannah breed. They are known for their playfulness and dog like qualities.  When we first came home with Bryce she definitely was jealous but now that he is walking around and generally causing havoc he is her entertainment and her opinion has changed on him. lol.

The picture above was taken this week one night before bed. I love the expression on both of their faces.  Our neighbor breeds golden retrievers and we go back and forth on getting a dog but right now we have our hands full. Though a dog would come in handy with cleaning up the food Bryce gets on the floor during dinner…..

We are taking it easy this weekend. Bryce is getting over a stomach bug (no one warns you that once you have a kid you will clean up more bodily fluids than you ever thought possible. Most of the time at 1:00 AM) and our housework list needs tackled.  As I am typing this I am staring at a pile of laundry that needs folded and another load that needs thrown in. Sleep will win I am thinking.

I will end with this tidbit. Bryce has learned how to make farting noises on our arms/stomach. So we will be sitting with him on the floor or couch and next thing I know I have become his sound machine. He is endlessly entertained by this new skill and practices constantly. He is redeemed though by his newfound ability to kiss our cheeks goodnight. He certainly knows how to melt my heart.