Our Trip to the Mountains | Picnic in the Smokeys

 Sunday we drove through the winding roads and had a picnic lunch atop the Great Smokey Mountains. The view was amazing! We set up under the shade of a tree and enjoyed our bread, olive oil, hummus, and sun dried tomatoes.

Our Trip to the Mountains | BeleChere Festival

For the past several years we've joined a group of friends for a little mission trip at the BeleChere Festival. It is said that nearly 300,000 people attend this festival and I believe it - the streets are packed.

Lots and lots and lots of people.

A mobile piano :) 

At the abortion clinic Saturday morning.

Willing to offer help, hope, and other options to the women pulling in.

Street show :) 

That statue is a real person. 

A dark chocolate covered frozen banana. Yes please!! 

The guy on the far left got a lot of heat from the crowd for writing that on a sign. 

Caroling in July

Our Trip to the Mountains | Lunch with Marcus

We arrived in Asheville about the same time as planned. Marcus and us looking for parking spots on the crowded streets, finding two a block away. We ran through the rain, me in my pretty rain coat, and took shelter in our destination of choice - The Asheville Brewing Company. Around this table we enjoyed much conversation, laughter, good drinks, and good food.  So grateful for our dear friend Marcus, whom we can completely be ourselves around!!

Our Trip to the Mountains | Pisgah Forest

We were able to spend a few hours near Pisgah Forest on that Friday afternoon.

Sliding Rock
A naturally occuring 60-foot waterslide with a 7-foot deep pool at the end. We didn't go down, only because we knew we had other places to go and wouldn't have access to a shower for quite some time. It looked like a lot of fun though!! You pay $1 as you enter and can slide as many times as you want.

Looking Glass Falls
During the winter, the water freezes along the sides of the fall creating a looking glass effect. 

A CreekWe spent a good hour wading through the chilly mountain water. The water was knee deep at some parts. It was awesome and I wish creeks like this weren't so many hours away from home.   

Do you spot the catfish? :) 

Our Trip to the Mountains | My Mimi and Aunt Gayle

We were able to join my Mimi at the Moose Lodge. I helped her in the kitchen, serving up baked spaghetti, salad, texas toast, and pineapple upside down cake. There was live music, raffles, and a dance complete with disco lights. :) 

Keith and Mimi

Keith playing the harmonica

Friday we slept til 8am and had a breakfast of fruit - large fresh peaches, grapes, and cherries. Mimi showed me everything she's bought for my soon to arrive baby niece. Aunt Gayle joined us and we had so much fun visiting and catching up. #I Wish We All Lived Closer

Mimi :) 

Aunt Gayle :)