Hiking To Waterfalls On The Blue Ridge Parkway.

Wow... what a difference a day makes. My second day in Asheville was much better than the first, largely to spending time driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking in the Pisgah National Forest to the southwest of the city. But first, breakfast!

We enjoyed a meal at the Hungry Bear Cafe. This is obviously a local establishment, not visited by the hippies I encountered yesterday in downtown Asheville. The cafe was quaint, but cozy and inviting. As to the food, it was what you'd expect from a local diner -- tasty, filling and just what I needed to get the day started. Upon downing a few eggs, hash browns and sausage patties, we promptly made our way towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I really love the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm so thankful there's a motorway that traces the top of the Appalachian Mountains. This stretch of road is one of America's greatest gems. If you've not experienced the Blue Ridge Parkway, then you should as soon as you can.

Our plan for hiking involved visiting four different waterfalls. The first stop was Skinny Dip Falls. After a moderate hike into the forest, we arrived to find an absolutely wonderful scene.

Crystal assessing her surroundings.

 Skinny Dip Falls -- there's a large wading pool below that many people hop into during warmer months. Clothing is optional.

The water from Skinny Dip Falls flowing down the mountain.

Up next was the Graveyard Fields. On this stretch of land are two different waterfalls, but we came to see the unique landscape and gorgeous river full of trout flowing through. Along the way, we wormed our way through a field of old-growth, wild Rhododendrons.

A forest of Rhododendrons. Cool!

 
The second waterfall on our itinerary was Sliding Rock. More so a rushing stream than a waterfall, it was still very awesome to see in person. During the late Spring and Summer months, the recreation area is open to swimmers. They can climb to the top of Sliding Rock, then coast down in the gushing water to the pool below. Crystal wanted to jump in the freezing water, but I convinced her thankfully not to do so, as to avoid catching hypothermia.

 Even though the water was cold, we did stick our feet in. IT WAS FRIGID!

On our way out of Sliding Rock, we happened upon a group of migrating Monarch Butterflies huddled together. Very rare to see in person!

Our third waterfall was Moore Cove. Though this waterfall wasn't the biggest, it was the only one that allowed for walking behind it. It was refreshing to touch the water splashing from above. The hike to get there was highly challenging, but well worth it. Such an amazing sight to behold!

The fourth and final waterfall was Looking Glass Falls. Mighty in size and sound, this was the largest of the falls we had seen. Such a tranquil location, but also very popular with visitors.

After a very long day of hiking, we finished the evening off with a special treat. Our dinner was at Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack. Another obvious local dive full of normal Asheville folk, this place was FANTASTIC! The chicken they serve can come in a number of different levels of spiciness. And let me tell you, they were HOT! I enjoyed my meal and even took some back to my hotel to eat tomorrow. If you like chicken or spicy food, then you need to come here for a meal. It won't disappoint.

That sign is hilarious.

 

Day two of visiting Asheville ended on a high note. It's become blatantly clear that the best way to experience Asheville is to avoid pretty much everything downtown. Enjoy the local spots on the western side of the city instead. Travel through the natural wonders to the south. All in all, just steer clear of the mecca of hippy-dom that possesses the eastern and downtown side. What will day three in Asheville hold for me? I guess we'll find out tomorrow!

Check out the rest of my trip here: Day 1, Day 3.

Set Sail For Adventure!

As I prepare to turn in early to bed this evening, I just wanted to give my readers a heads up. I'll be taking a small vacation in Asheville, North Carolina until Friday. While I'm there, I'll partake in the plethora of downtown breweries, check out the various art galleries, museums, natural waterfalls and the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'll be sure to share some photos and travel info while away from home. I've only driven through Asheville before, so I'm curious to see what I can discover.

And no, I'm not going to the Biltmore. Their admission prices are ridiculously expensive. I'm too cheap to spend that much money on a tour of a house. ;-)

Keep your eyes peeled on my Facebook feed for the coming photos.

Ahoy!

Seven States.

Nearly 800 miles later and I'm finally home. We left at approximately 6 AM this morning from St. Louis and traveled over twelve hours back home. In one day, I saw seven states -- Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina. That's a lot to digest, but I'm glad our journey was safe and without incident. I'll have a more complete report on the details of the vacation on Monday, but for now...

I'm going to sit down, enjoy a glass of scotch and watch some television. My feet are killing me and I'm so terribly tired.

Talk to everyone soon. Thanks for following along on this journey with me.

At An End.

As I write tonight's abbreviated blog from the comfort of a plush king size bed, I must reflect on this entire vacation. It was eventful and highly memorable -- a trip I won't soon forget. I must rise before dawn to make the long trek back to North Carolina on Friday. I'm thankful for the time I've spent in St. Louis... and I hope this fine city will have me back one day.

What A Game!

I had an amazing time today at Busch Stadium. The entire stadium, along with the Cardinals Hall of Fame, is something I never thought I'd see in person. On multiple occasions, Crystal reminded me to close my mouth because my jaw was hanging open in amazement. There's so much history steeped in the Cardinals organization. Even though I'm just a lifelong fan, I feel really thankful to be a even a small part of it. The Cardinals trailed for most of the game today against the Chicago Cubs, but they had an explosive eighth inning and took the lead. The crowd was absolutely ecstatic beyond belief. They won the game with a score of 4 to 3. Crystal and I toured the stadium after the game once everyone cleared out. We walked to the top deck and captured some amazing photos. All in all, today was one of those "bucket list" events that I'll never forget. After the game, we crossed the Mississippi River and snapped a few more photos -- this time of the Gateway Arch and the entire St. Louis skyline. St. Louis is an intricate and expansive city, but full of life and vibrancy. I hope I can come back here sometime soon.

St. Louis... Finally!

Well, I've finally arrived in St. Louis. This is a place I've wanted to come for nearly all of my life. Today's leg of the journey was busy, but fun. This morning, Crystal and I visited the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky. It was absolutely gorgeous. The horses kept there (there are many different breeds) are very happy and healthy. We road a horse-drawn trolley, then met four champion horses in retirement. After leaving the park, we visited the Wild Turkey distillery. That was mind-blowing! It's quite nice knowing where Wild Turkey is produced. Their facility is clean and state-of-the-art, but still uses some of its old fashioned ways. One of the storage houses used for aging the bourbon was built in 1890. The inside smelled amazing! Our drive through southern Indiana and Illinois was quite boring. The landscape is comprised of rolling hills and farmland. Not many towns to see, nor anywhere to stop. If not for the large storm I drove through, it would have been a total snooze fest! We made it to our hotel safely, thankfully. I'm ready for a full night of rest and relaxation. Tomorrow, we go and watch a Cardinals baseball game. Woohoo!

Hello Lexington!

I'm officially on vacation. ROAD TRIP!

This morning, I left for St. Louis, Missouri. My first pit stop in the journey is Lexington, Kentucky, where I'll be staying overnight. Just a short while ago, I stopped by the Alltech Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company -- more on that when I return home! Needless to say, they brew some mighty fine beverages like the powerful Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Tomorrow, I'm looking forward to visiting the Kentucky Horse Park and the Wild Turkey Distillery before heading on to St. Louis. It's going to be a day full of fun and adventure... and whiskey.

Lots and lots of whiskey.*

Also of note -- today marks the twelfth anniversary of Warren Zevon's passing in 2003. Here's a few of his best songs. Enjoy his masterful talent and think about Warren for just a moment, would you? If you'd like to read more, check out my previous article on the life of Warren Zevon.

*Remember folks, don't drink and drive.

St. Louis, Here We Come!

Looks like I will finally watch my first live Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium in September. I'm beyond ecstatic!

Crystal and I decided that our vacation this year would be to St. Louis, Missouri. We'll drive through West Virginia and Kentucky to get there. Along the way, we'll camp in Lexington, KY and enjoy the Kentucky Horse Park.

Also on the itinerary is a tour of the Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., which produces the mighty flavorful Kentucky Ale. They also distill various varieties of authentic Kentucky Bourbon.

Here I am finishing a leftover Kentucky Bourbon Ale for breakfast back at Christmas 2014. What are the odds that I'd be visiting their brewery?

After that, well trek on to St. Louis. Besides the baseball game, we're going to check out the Day Fresh Tour at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. This allows us the opportunity to visit with the Clydesdale Draft Horses, then follow their beer production from start to finish. While I'm not a fan of Budweiser beer, I am eager to meet those horses and see their brewing process!

The famous Budweiser Clydesdale Horses circling through Busch Stadium.

While there, we'll also be taking in the Laumeier Sculpture Park, which features some interesting art installations. The Missouri Botanical Garden is also on our to-do list. It seems like we hit a massive garden in every place we visit!

Before our ballgame, we'll explore the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum, where hopefully I might run into some former players. Who knows?

Of course, we'll also visit the magnificent Gateway Arch and take some photographs.

We'll be attending the September 9 day game, in which the Cardinals will be hosting the Chicago Cubs -- the best friendly rivalry in sports, in my opinion. If you happen to be watching on TV, look for us behind the First Base line.

The hotels are booked. The tickets are purchased. September can't get here soon enough!

We're in the Midwest. Now What?

Crystal and I are planning our next big vacation for 2015. After such a successful journey out west to New Mexico last year, we'd like to replicate those results. This time, I think we're considering traveling through the Midwest.

The basis of the idea is simple; we can do a big loop through Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. I know right off the bat that we can go see a Cardinals baseball game (which Crystal is only ever-slightly excited about), but I'm trying to think of other ideas for things to see.

This is where I turn to you, my readers. Can you provide any suggestions for sites to see in the Midwest? Our loop would take us through Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago and St. Louis. We both like to see natural things -- parks, mountains, lakes and gardens. I enjoy cultural landmarks, art and museums. Crystal likes animals and nature. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Happy place.

I returned a few days ago from a wonderful vacation. Not only did I travel to the farthest point north I have ever been before, but I also experienced something very special. For the July 4th holiday, Crystal and I took a road trip to New York. More specifically, we visited with her extended family on the majestic Lake Owasco. As one of the glacier-carved Finger Lakes, Owasco stands out as a serene setting that's historically been a very popular vacation destination for over a hundred years.

I experienced many personal firsts on this trip...

• I rode in a canoe (absolutely terrifying).
• I went floating in an innertube.
• I went fishing in a boat.
• I shot off fireworks.
• I endured nearly a week without a shower (lots of sink bathing).
• It was the first real vacation Crystal and I have ever taken in the many years we've been together.

Certainly, there are other great moments I'm forgetting at the moment. A perusal through my photos would surely reveal more moments I'd consider as firsts. I can't help but be thankful for the new memories I made with Crystal and her family. They couldn't have been more warm and inviting to me. Folks I'd never met before knew my name. They knew who I was. They knew what I did for a living. They knew things about me I never expected anyone to know. It was like... they cared about me. It was a new feeling, but certainly quite welcomed. I'm very eager to see everyone again. They're part of my family now... and that means a great deal to me.

I also had the pleasure of visiting Fillmore Glen State Park. Hands down, this is one of the most spectacular parks I've ever seen. The vegetation was so lush and green. With the finely cut stone and rock from years of being weathered by rushing streams and waterfalls, it was almost too much to take in. I absolutely suggest it as a place you must visit at some point in your life.

To cap off our trip, we were walking out of the deepest spot in the park when a thunderstorm formed over us without warning. We were drenched. With a mile and a half to go, our little group kept in the trees to avoid lightning strikes (many struck close by). By the time we made it to our vehicle, our clothes and bags were sopping messes. No matter... it was fun like I don't recall experiencing in many, many years. I'll cherish this memory for the rest of my life. Crystal, Brad, Jacqueline, Cale - thank you for helping me have some fun for once in my life. Thank you for helping me find a happy place. You rock!

Yep... I look like a bloated knucklehead in this photo... but do you see that smile on my face? What the hell is that?! ;-)