TAKE A HIKE! Boone NC

Joys On A Journey decided to stick close to home for the Fourth of July Holiday. North Carolina. Our beautiful home state!  Since we love to travel, the cool thing about North Carolina is that you can go just a few short hours and you can enjoy two very different destinations. If you drive a few hours East you arrive at the Beach. Drive West, you have the Mountains! Either Option is always a great one! For this trip, we decided to head to the mountains. Even after visiting this area many times in my life, there is always something new to explore.

Our trip started in Boone, North Carolina, home of the Appalachian State University Mountaineers. We traveled down the Blue Ridge Parkway to take in the incredible views. The parkway is one of NC’s most popular attractions where you will find some of the best hiking trails, waterfalls, wildlife, and majestic picnic spots. If you haven’t been to Boone before, be sure to make a stop downtown on King Street. Here you find that Smalltown/ College Town feel. As you stroll down the street you can stop in one of their cool little shops like the Mast General Store or grab a bite to eat. This time we made a stop at Insomnia Cookies. They will deliver yummy WARM fresh baked cookies to you until 3 am! Now, where was this when I was in college?? (CHECK HOURS AND OPENING DUE TO COVID19) https://insomniacookies.com/menu

Don’t give up when you are tired. Give up when you are done! 

This was the motto of our trip!  My 12-year-old shouted this to us when the climb became tough! Don’t give up when you are tired. Give up when you are done! I’m not sure where he got that from but it gave us all the motivation to Push Through for the great reward. I guess we could all use this motto in many areas of our life!

Morning Hike: Hebron Rock Colony Trail

*COVID 19 UPDATE. This site is open but is first come first served. It’s probably going to be crowded so if you are worried about social distancing the 4th of July is no time to go.) Since it was the 4th of July and many people had the day off, picnic tables were all set. The grills were hot with savory aromas that would make your stomach start to growl. Kids were splashing and screeching in the cold mountain stream.  It was obvious they were there for the whole day to relax and spend time. I wished we had thought to bring our grill stuff so we could do the same! But we came to Hike so that’s what we did! This almost 3-mile hike was pretty easy for the mountains. It wasn’t until we got to the last half mile that we started to huff and puff! We all began to wonder were we there yet?  But when we did arrive, this was the reward…..You have to experience it yourself! It’s quite breathtaking.  I sat on a huge boulder with one Joy watching my other two climb to the top. With the sound of the gentle mountain stream, the shade of the trees on a hot day, and the clean mountain air –it was all so peaceful. I was overcome with the emotion of how blessed we were to experience this memory together.

Afternoon Hike: Valle Crucis, NC (the mountain valleys make a cross)

On the way, to our second Hike location of the day, we picked up some goodies for a picnic! Picnics are a tradition I shared with my parents growing up. My late father loved the mountains. I have many memories of our trips to this area from when I was a child.  We would find a large rock in the stream and enjoy our lunch while we watched the water churn by. So now this is a continued tradition with my children. Where did I take them? To Valle Crucis! One of my dad’s favorites. While on our first hike at Hebron Falls, a sweet older couple told us about a  Great waterfall in Valle Crucis that we had not known about. So we headed there to check it out!

UPDATE: READERS HAVE INFORMED ME THIS LOCATION IS CALLED CRAB ORCHARD FALLS. https://holycrossvallecrucis.net

This ended up being a Great Find! The water was a ranging, loud, powerful, and ICE cold!  Such a powerful but majestic sound. Though the hike was only 1.5 miles it kicked our butts-literally! My thighs were burning and screaming by the end. Even though we were about to melt from the heat this water would freeze your toe-off. My kids wouldn’t give up until everyone was in. Let me warn you…. It takes your breath away! Once you get over the shock, it’s refreshing. Two of our Joys decided to climb up the waterfall. This was something so Nervewracking that I had to look away. But, they conquered this challenge and now have a story to tell. I probably have more gray hair. We finally enjoyed our picnic all together! Just like old times, on a flat rock boulder in the middle of the raging stream! Let’s just say we devoured it in no time due to the massive appetite we had worked up!

CRAB ORCHARD FALLS_Every one just directs you to the church. It’s behind that! If you find The Church of the Holy Cross with the red doors…..follow the signs to the waterfall!

TROUVAILLE MOMENT: Running into the couple who told us about the Valle Crucis Water Fall. An area so special to me as a child. So it had special sentimental meaning to find this fall I never knew was there! Take the time to talk to the folks along your journey. You will usually find that something special!

#Joysonajourney

Some of our other favorites places to try if you have never been to Boone:

Blue Ridge Parkway- Be sure to stop at the overlooks for amazing views. Great Picture opportunity.

* Due To Covid19 Double check if these places are open. 

Daniel Boone Inn-The lines are long but this southern family-style meal is one not to miss if you’ve never been there. Huge plates of fried chicken with all the fixings’ and warm buttery biscuits to die for! Just do it!

Boone Bagelery- You just can’t be in Boone and not have this for Breakfast!

Mast General Store- The Orginal in Valle Crucis is not to miss but if you can’t stop there check out the one in Boone.

Grandfather Mountian-Check out the Mile High Swinging Bridge

Chimney Rock- another great hike!

Tweetsie Railroad- childhood memories

Blowing Rock-A Must Do! A charming little town only 15 mins away.

Joys On A Journey