From peak season to a foot of snow

First of all, thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by Superstorm Sandy. The latest sounds like she has dumped quite a bit of snow in the High Country. I can only imagine what it looks like up around Our Mountain Place. I'm sure it's gorgeous -- but I'm sure it's also treacherous. Be safe, everyone.

It's hard to imagine that this was our view up there just over a week ago (via Instagram).

We had a FANTASTIC time in the High Country, made all the better by spectacular weather. (The calm before the storm, perhaps?)  Oh, screw it; here are some more great autumn photos -- all taken from our place.

We packed a lot of cool things in a couple of days. The kids loved gem mining (once again) at Foscoe Gem Mining Co. The adults had a GREAT time at the Grandfather Winery. (The kids also had fun throwing rocks into the Watauga River -- coming *this close* to hitting the poor dog that apparently lives at the vineyard.) And we had a nice time in Blowing Rock, strolling around the bass lake at Moses Cone Park, enjoying the park behind the Mast General Store annex, and even a tasty (if slow-going) meal at Mr. Original's Gyros.

In short, I'm ready to get back up there. It is, after all, ski season (already)!

More autumn fun

We made it up to Seven Devils a couple of weekends ago with some good friends and their kids. The weather was perfect for some hiking, gem mining and more. Enjoy the photos!

Ah ... the mountains in autumn ...

We just finished up a wonderful weekend in Seven Devils. The leaves are *just* starting to change to their vibrant autumn magical colors ... the night air was crisp and cool ... and the animals were foraging for food for the winter.

We arrived just after 5 in the evening on Friday, settled into Our Mountain Place and had a lovely dinner with our friends. Saturday began with a trip to Linville Falls (the "Grand Canyon of the East"). Having had a bunch of rain in the days leading up meant some very powerful waterfalls. We had been there in June, and the difference was astonishing. On the way back, we saw an approximately 4-foot-long rattlesnake in the m

iddle of the Blue Ridge Parkway (not far from Roseboro Road), which was a "thrill" for parents and kids alike.

After Linville, we headed to the Foscoe Mining Company where the kids had a blast. They kept thinking they

were going to mine some diamonds and pearls, but the many other gems were more than enough to give them a thrill. We

then hit the always-popular Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, where we loaded up on candy.

More rain was in store Saturday night. It started around 8 p.m. and poured until about 7 a.m. on Sunday. However, we were blessed with a break in the rain; Sunday was GORGEOUS. We had planned to go to Moses Cone, but figuring it was to be a wee bit muddy, we instead just went into

Blowing Rock to shop (downtown and at Tanger outlets, shown), play on the playground and then have lunch at Canyons. My wife and I have probably been to BR a dozen times, and it was our first time at Canyons. The food was great, and they offered a nice jazz brunch on Sundays. After some ice cream at Kilwin's, we loaded up and headed back to Raleigh, dodging rain the whole way back.

We can't wait to get back to OMP. Unfortunately, it won't be until November when we bring more friends up. Hopefully they'll enjoy it as much as our other friends did.