Mountain Trip 2009

Well, Eddie and I decided we needed another getaway this year so we thought we should take Evan to see the mountains and the beautiful fall colors of the changing leaves. We thought about taking a trip to Maggie Valley to see Tweetsie Railroad or Ghost Town, but we just weren't sure it would be worth the money yet. I mean, I am sure he would enjoy the trains and everything, but he just wouldn't remember it. We just wanted to do something that we would all enjoy. Uncle Paul's employer, the founder and former owner of Chico's clothing stores, owned a lot of real estate in Cashiers, NC, including several luxury cabins on Cashiers Lake. The luxury cabins are "models" for what he hopes will one day become a luxury mountain resort. The lake has a nice boat dock, a large shelter with an outdoor fireplace, and some canoes. I researched things to see in the mountains and discovered that some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country are in the area of Cashiers and Highlands, NC. I asked Uncle Paul if anyone was using the cabins, and he said that one was available for us. We knew the weather would be very chilly the weekend of our trip so we packed our warm winter clothes and headed out. The trip was very convenient and only took us about 2 1/2 hours.

Here are some pictures from this fantastic trip:


Evan gets to the cabin.



I love this picture of the road to the cabin. It reminds me of the Robert Frost poem "The Road Less Traveled." I can just imagine it covered with snow.





Cashiers Lake looked beautiful with a foggy mist hanging over it. Looks like the Loch Ness Monster might poke his head up any minute.



Cashiers Lake



Bridal Veil Falls is a lovely misty waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest. Highway 64 goes right by it, and you can even drive behind it!



Mommy & Evan walk behind the falls. It was cold, but we were totally dry. I promise.



Checking out the falls.



Daddy & Evan in front of the falls.



A pretty view of Dry Falls. Another waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest that you can walk behind and stay DRY!



Another view of Dry Falls.



Beautiful Fall colors!



Cullasaja Falls is perhaps the prettiest waterfall in the country. I love the way it cascades over rocks as it flows down into the Cullasaja River Gorge.



Another beautiful view of Cullasaja Falls.



A man made waterfall as water flows over the dam at Highlands Lake.



Another pretty look at Highlands Lake dam.



Whitewater Falls is the largest drop east of the Rocky Mountains.



Evan rode on Daddy's shoulders on the short 1/2 mile hike up to the lookout over Whitewater Falls.



A closer look at the lower part of Whitewater Falls.



Posing for a family picture in front of the falls. Evan looked so silly sticking his tongue out.



A picture of the river gorge and beautiful Lake Toxaway in the distance.


Our Mountain Portrait Session


A little romance by the cozy fire.



Our Family



Cuddled up by the fire with Mommy.



A Mommy & me picture



Mommy's boys!



Evan is definitely in his element in the woods. Just like Daddy!



Peek-a-boo!



Big cheesey smiles!



Tried to get a picture of him with some leaves we collected in front of the lake, but the wind kept blowing his leaves away and making him mad!



The ducks came by!



Daddy was tickling Evan to make him smile!



They're so cute!



He's beautiful!



Snuggling with Mommy to get warm!



This is love!