Happy Birthday

What a day this has been. On the Blue Ridge by 8 and it was very cool; even had to stop in 40 minutes to put on the heated jacket. We pulled off at Doughton Park and had a great breakfast and warmed up with a cup of coffee. I have been on the top of the world all day; passing places listed as 3000 + feet high. A lot of times you don’t even know how high you are because the road seems to climb so slightly until suddenly the view drops away and you see the valley below. Knowing we wanted to see Grandfather Mountain we stopped at Blowing Rock and found the most wonderful motel. There are flowers everywhere and little waterfalls; the rooms are very homey and absolutely the neatest I’ve ever seen. There is a gazebo outside with music playing softly and white wicker chairs with red cushions. A large patio is out front with more white wicker rockers and red cushions. Candles and yard lights are positioned to add just the right touch to the yard after dark. A little pricy but it’s my birthday! Grandfather Mountain is a must see if you make it to this area. The road up the mountain is 2 miles of switchbacks and hairpin turns. I had left my bike at the motel and was on the back of Don’s which was good. Couple the hairpin turns and the 50 mph winds up the mountain and it would have been very difficult to enjoy myself. The climb to the top required holding the railing and a short walk across an open patio area got us to the swinging bridge 5280 feet high. It was amazing to walk across that bridge and feel the wind blowing you. The bridge seemed to be singing as the wind blew through the openings in the floor boards. Back to the motel to relax around the gazebo and then a great dinner at a local restaurant put the finishing touch on my special day.