I just went on one of the best vacations I have ever been able to attend. I went with five friends to the great state of North Carolina. We spent four days and nights in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains overlooking Bryson City. Besides the fact that we got to visit the mountains in the best weather I’ve been able to experience in the last five months, we were able to do so much.
It was great to get out of Florida for a few days. I spend every day here, and I happy I live here, but it’s not North Carolina. I mean, they have mountains. The tallest mountain in Florida is a garbage dump pile, (no offense Floridians… okay maybe some offense). I couldn’t have asked for better weather. It was in the mid-40s when I woke up in the morning and warmed up to the upper-60s during the day. It didn’t even feel like it was too cool. Being from Florida, the humidity means that the temperature feels the same regardless of if you are in the sun or not. But in North Carolina, there was a considerable difference in temperature from the shade to the sun.
Then there was the scenery. Although it wasn’t all green and beautiful, it was still nice to see the environment that surrounded us. The mountains reached toward the bright blue sky, and while there for five days, we never saw a cloud. The trees were bare, but densely populated the forest surrounding the cabin. So I can only imagine what the forest would look like in full bloom. There was also a stillness and quiet in the air like I have never experienced. At night, we would step out on the back porch and just enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle of home.
We did go out and see what North Carolina had to offer. We decided to go to the Biltmore Estate located in Asheville, NC and tour the largest private residence in the United States. But what was even better was horseback riding around the grounds of the estate. I haven’t been on a horse in well over 10 years, but this was the best thing we could have done. Needless to say, I was very sore the next day.
But my horse, Poncho, was a great horse. He was a careful, collected, and calm horse. He was also very slow. On more than one occasion our group would have to stop to allow me and Poncho to catch up. All the horses had their quirks, though. For instance, one of my friends had a biting horse, another friend had a kicking horse, another friend’s horse like to get up all in the business of the biting horse, and my girlfriend’s horse tested her for the first 15 minutes. I got the best horse! So what if he was slow?
My girlfriend on her horse, Pistol.
The Biltmore from behind.
That’s me on my horse, Poncho.
On that trip we got to see a lot of wildlife that North Carolina has to offer. While at the Biltmore alone, we got to see wild deer, geese, turkeys, and ducks that live on the estate.
And while the sites were memorable, so was the food. We got to eat at several of the local eateries, including the Dillsboro Smokehouse, the Dillsboro Chocolate Factory, Lulu’s, and Louise’s Kitchen. If you go to the Smoky Mountains, you have to try out these places. For instance, if you go to the smokehouse, get the pulled pork plate. If you go to the Chocolate Factory, get the chocolate covered espresso beans. If you go to Lulu’s get the grilled vegetable salad. And if you go to Louise’s Kitchen, get the gritcakes. All of these places are within a two hours drive of each other, but you cannot ask for better food or service.
We also got to see the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest and one of the three waterfalls in the park. I got a brand new pair of waterproof hiking shoes for the occasion.
We got to visit five towns in the area, including Bryson City, Dillsboro, Sylva, Asheville, and Black Mountain. I would encourage anyone who is interested to check out any of these towns while in NC.
Asheville is by far the largest town/city. It’s nestled in the valley of the Smoky Mountains on Interstate 40. It is possessed with music-loving-beard-growing-young-hippie-hipster-fashioned folk. They are pretty nice, but fully aware that you are a tourist and they are not.
All six of us also attended a nice church just up the road from our cabin that Sunday morning. The Grove is full of nice people looking to get new church-goers plugged in.
So with all this talk about how great North Carolina is, why didn’t I stay? Well, one day I hope to, but as of right now my place is in Florida. And although, it can be hard coming home, I know this is where I need to be for the foreseeable future. But with that being said, North Carolinians… be ready, because I’m coming for you.
Raised a Southern Gentleman 