The Great Smoky Mountains (the South side)

Hi yea all,

Since our last blog we have travelled north to North Carolina - Transylvania County actually which is just outside of Ashville and on the south side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Wow - is it ever beautiful - very green and hilly with lovely pink and red wildflowers everywhere. For the first time in ages it's actually cooler - we had to wear pants and jackets!

We visited the Biltmore Estates in Asheville. This is America's largest home and we believe it, it took us about 1 1/2 hours to tour!! It was built in 1895 and is just beautiful - it even has an indoor swimming pool, excerise room and bowling alley!! Emma is quick to point out that there were 43 bathrooms as well! The estates also consist of amazing gardens, a winery, farm and inn.

We also travelled down the Blue Ridge Parkway which is a very scenic drive and very high up. Transylvania County is quite well known for it's waterfalls - there are many throughout the area. Our favorite was the Sliding Rock which is a very popular spot for folks. I will let Leah explain and show you all about them.





"After I got on my wet suit and life jacket, Emma and I walked across this rocky cold creek and then went up a sidewalk where we could get to the top of sliding rocks. In the summer, there are lifeguards but it was too cold for them to be there when we went. Emma went first and then I did. I went to the top of the sliding rocks and sat down and slid down in the water and it was really, really, really cold. At the end you land in a big pool of really, really, really cold water! It was lots of fun we went again 2 other times but cold!!!"

See my screaming video below! (removed)

So in our next back to back blog we will tell you all about The Great Smoky Mountains from the North Side perspective.

Ta, ta for now.