Moses Cone Manor and Blowing Rock - October 27, 2017

What I really wanted to see the most was Flat Top Manor, which is the house of Moses and Bertha Cone that is now owned by the National Park Service.  The first floor serves as a craft center and also the NPS Visitor Center for the park.   The second floor is not always opened for tours, and when it is, it is guided.  Fortunately for us, the Friday we were there, the second floor was opened for self-guided tours from 10:30-12:00.  It was also one of the last days before the house closes for the winter.

The porch is the best part of the house!

Bass Lake

Got my stamp!

Second Floor of the house

Moses and Bertha Cone

The shorter trail on the property

It was hard leaving this place, but by then it was lunch time, so we went to Main Street in Blowing Rock.

We ate at Mellow Mushroom, and then walked around.

Coffee from Camp Coffee Roasters

To end our lovely day, we went back to Moses Cone Manor one last time.

Linville Falls and Linn Cove Viaduct - October 26, 2017

 Thursday, October 26

This year I wanted to go to the Blue Ridge Mountains during Fall.  The first stop on this little mountain getaway was to Linville Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I had never before been there.

Linville Falls

 After our hike to the falls, we stopped by the Linville Falls Visitor Center run by the NPS for a cancellation stamp.

Our destination was Blowing Rock and Boone, so our next parkway stop was the Linn Cove Viaduct.

An overlook before we got to the viaduct

The Linn Cove Viaduct NPS Visitor Center

We took the trail that goes under a part of the viaduct.
 

It was a little cold!

Back on the parkway.

Another overlook - BEAUTIFUL!!

On our way to Boone, we passed the Julian Price Memorial Park.

Our hotel was in Boone, so we spent the rest of the evening at The Original Mast General Store.

And ate a delicious supper at Stick Boy Bread Co. Kitchen

I had Sicilian Chicken soup

J. had Kale and Chickpea Soup