Kilted Carolina Vacation

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd July 10, 09:00 PM

Outside the museum there was a zoo of local animals

This bald eagle had been rescued and is not capable of flight.

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd July 10, 09:02 PM

My next hike would take me to the suspension bridge

Following the example of what David did in putting hiking badges on his staff, I placed this one on my staff

The field in the background is of the Highland Games on MacRae Meadows on Grandfather’s Mountain

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd July 10, 09:03 PM

After lunch, I hit this trail

**Mael Coluim** · 23rd July 10, 09:15 PM

It was a great day of hiking on Grandfather and escaping the heat of the Meadows. My kilted vacation continues at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games at this thread.

Thanks, for coming along! Hope to hike a trail with you one day.

And thanks to Ancienne Alliance (Robert Amyot) for the hiking staff pictured he gave me last year when I visited him and Lady Chrytel in the French Alps!

**BoldHighlander** · 24th July 10, 12:42 AM

Wonderful Ern!
Seeing the trail makes me wish I could've joined you!

**piperdbh** · 25th July 10, 02:00 PM

I hate to disappoint anybody, but I'm not employed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Thanks for posting the pics, Ern. I really enjoyed our time together and wish we could have met up Sunday at the Games.
I usually don't wear earrings, but I couldn't pass up the chance to show off the traditional botanical jewelry of the Appalachians.
The picture of galax is important to this region because it used to be a cash crop. Whole families would roam the mountains and hollers picking it to sell to flower shops, where it would be used to "green" vases for cut flower arrangements.
The waterfall in the pictures is Tom's Creek Falls, which is about 80 feet high. There are three cascades making up that 80 feet, and the pool I'm wading in is at the very top. Sorry, Jock, there are no trout that high up.

**English Bloke** · 16th August 10, 02:01 AM

Great pictures and explanations, thank you.

**weepeskythistle** · 19th August 10, 08:58 AM

I really loved all of this-thanks for taking the time. I have been in that area several times and can never get enough of it. For a fan of eastern deciduous forests it doesn't get much better than this, plus I love the museum tours.My cousin is there for the week looking for a place to live. She has spent her entire life in Albuquerque and is thrilled to be moving to NW North Carolina. Of course I will be visiting once she is settled!