We recently took a much needed getaway to the North Carolina mountains at the invitation of some dear friends. (Thanks Rich and Jane, you’re the BEST!) While we were there we checked out some real estate and chose this as our vacation home, isn’t it lovely?

Unfortunately it is not ours. But it is a great example of how incredibly beautiful the landscape is where we were staying. We also contemplating permanently relocating to this postcard. Amazing.

Part of the reason Leo and I were so excited to go is because we really love the outdoors. Even though I was still recovering from strep throat (boo, hiss) we did manage to get in one really good day of hiking. It started here:

And wound it’s way up these “stairs”

 



The trail got a little narrow and steep at times, good thing I am so clumsy coordinated.

At the end of the path we found this

But I couldn’t get it all in one picture, and so to show you how big and amazing this waterfall really is, Leo decided to climb a little.

I still couldn’t get it all in one picture, so here is how high he climbed,

 

and what was still above him.

Isn’t it GORGEOUS? (Yes, I know my husband is gorgeous, but I was referring to the waterfall)

We loved it, one of the really fun things is that the soil in NC is full of minerals like mica, they make the dirt all sparkly.

Even my hiking shoes are cute, huh? I am very serious about my shoes people. And about sparkles, but anyway, nature, yes. SO. There were also these really cute little orange fungi. I’m not so much for fungi (when I can’t eat them) but I really like orange.

And then this little guy stopped by for a visit. I’m not a photographer folks, it’s hide and seek, but do you see him? And he is not that small, those rocks are that big. The butterfly was nearly the size of my hand.

That yellow butterfly hung around for quite a while, some people believe that butterflies have special significance regarding children in heaven. I don’t speculate, but we certainly enjoyed his company.

Leo is a total boy scout and has a watch that tells the elevation and folks? To experience all this I dragged hiked my lazy carcass pudgy rear end self up over 350 feet! So go me! If the scenery alone wasn't worth it we got this fabulous shot, definitely a priceless classic for the family album.  



            

...probably should have stuck to pictures of waterfalls...