August 20-22, 2022
Bear Den Family Campground Most Recent Posts:
MP 324 Blue Ridge Parkway Upper Creek Falls-Beautiful, but POORLY Marked
Spruce Pine, North Carolina Finally, Blowing Rock
I’ve known my friend Sharon for at least 8 years. I met her through my blog though unfortunately she seldom comments. I hope she will comment on this post and on future posts. She is such a lovely person with so much to share.
She and her husband lived in Tennessee and like me, over the time of our friendship, she has sadly become a widow.
I was happy that she was suggested making the trip to see me here at Bear Den for a few days.
She arrived on Saturday afternoon. She had rented a small place on the opposite end of this large property where folks have built “mountain homes” and some, like hers are rented out. She came to my site and we sat under Winnona’s awning chatting and catching up. Silly me got a picture of her car behind Ruby but none of us sitting talking at the site.
Wish I knew enough about this mushroom on my site to know if I could safely cook it up for us. As you can see, it was huge and would have made dinner for two.
On Saturday we hiked to the campground waterfalls.
And then we went back to her cute little place for lunch and an afternoon of more discussion. We have a great deal in common and it was wonderful to have conversation face to face.
Of course we didn’t need the fireplace but she turned it on so I could see how cozy it is.
On Sunday we had breakfast out at wonderful diner named Kaye’s Kitchen that Sharon knew of in the nearby town of Newland. She has friends near Boone whom she visits and is familiar with this area. Wish I’d gotten a picture of the delicious plate of food we each had.
We set out on the town greenway to rack up some steps.
The trail is really beautifully done.
We finished off the day with a visit to the Switzerland Inn. Apparently I did not take a picture of the outside of this high quality hotel in Little Switzerland.
On this beautiful day, nearly everyone was outside as you can see.
Beautiful spot for chairs to just relax and chat or contemplate.
We headed back for the treat of the afternoon. This view is of the back of the Inn.
It’s ice cream time!!
They have other treats as well as ice cream but we were here for the locally and organically made ice cream in 4 flavors. Cream Cheese and Berries, Big Foot Trax, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Berry Sorbet which was vegan.
We enjoyed it out on the patio at their cute little tables.
Sharon had to leave the next day but we packed a lot into that short visit and I am so happy that she came. Thanks Sharon for driving to see me.
Wow! Great spot for a visit! Always nice to reunite with old friends.
ReplyDeleteIt was great Jody. It's wonderful to see you in the comments repeatedly. I look forward to it.
DeleteGood friends, good food, good hikes and ice cream! What's not to love, eh? :c)
ReplyDeleteYou said it perfectly Paul. Thanks for the comment.
DeleteOh that looks like so much fun! Love the views from the inn. And easy walks that don't include roots and rocks looked pretty darn nice too. Nice to read that for a little bit of time, at least, you didn't have to deal with being lonely. Those ice creams sounded yummy, and her little cabin park model thingy looked really nice!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun Sue. The cabin was darling and it made it possible for each of us to do our own thing in the evenings and early mornings. That's the way she always visit friends. The end of August was a run of friends. More to come.
DeleteCould that mushroom be a Hen of the Woods? Using my Mushroom Identifier app, it most closely resembles the one you pictured…..
ReplyDeleteI’ll keep looking though.
Might be. Edible?? A little too late though. But next time?
DeleteHow lovely to have a visit from a friend. I bet you enjoyed the company. Great place to walk around, and the views! Sorry the ice cream shop didn't have your favorite flavor, albeit with a different name. 😉
ReplyDeleteYes it was great fun having her visit and even though they didn't have my favorite flavor, the ice cream was very good.
DeleteI love blogging for all the friends made, and many met. You are still on the list of must meets. This looks like a fun couple of days.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have been blog friends for years and must find some way to meet in person.
DeleteHow fun to have a friend come to visit! I've always thought that meeting friends through our blog is one of the most unexpected and delightful benefits of blogging. Make me think of the first time that we met up with you and David in Apalachicola! :-))
ReplyDeleteYou are so right Laurel. Meeting friends through the blog is one of the real benefits. So glad we were able to meet up with you two and I have since David's death. Your friendship is very important in my life.
DeleteIt truly was a wonderful visit! I hope there will be more of those in our future! I'm still working on winter Florida plans and am hoping our paths will cross in January or February!
ReplyDeleteJust let me know what I can do to help make it happen Sharon. It was a wonderful few days with you and I am so happy to see you here in the comments.
DeleteHow lovely! You packed a lot of fun into a few days. Neat cabin and beautiful views. Interesting ice cream flavors. I'm glad you got at least one picture of you two together!
ReplyDeleteYes I had too few pictures of us. We were so busy having fun, I could not remember to take pictures.
DeleteThat lodge looks like a great place to visit. So nice when you meet a fellow blogger and have a really great visit. Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteYes Tom I think the Inn would be a wonderful place to stay during a hot summer. Beautiful views.
DeleteHow wonderful that your blogger friend was able to come visit in such a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had more visits from friends on the road. It was wonderful.
DeleteWhat a cute little cabin to enjoy in the mountains! Love the Inn and all the pretty paths through the little town. More NC envy :-)
ReplyDelete