Well every Fall it’s the same task at hand, ” What to do with the kids on their Fall Break”?  Normally we are a beach loving family, but two years ago my kids urged us to go to Tweetsie Railroad, and as a kid trapped in an adults body…. I was quick to want to go after a 35 year hiatus.  We loved it! I think it was even better than it was when I was seven years old,  but as quickly as my kids brought back the youthfulness of my childhood… they snatched it right back this year; “We’re to old to go to Tweetsie.”  My heart broke. This year we decided to do a little hiking and cycling, so we headed to Blowing Rock North Carolina  to climb Grandfather Mountain and enjoy the near by “Virginia Creeper Trail.”  The weather could not have been more perfect on our drive up on Saturday from Greensboro.  Two and a half hours of watching the leaves turn from the dark greens of summer to the colors of a burning fire.  The changes in each mile and each altitude incline were obvious. But just as my kids yanked away my dreams of another round of Tweetsie, the guard at the Grandfather Mountain park brought our emotional high to a abrupt halt: ” “There is zero visibility on the bridge, and it it’s raining.”  The only thing that was falling faster than our excitement was the temperature after we ignored her warning.  After the half mile hike (all vertical), we arrived at the top.  She was correct on the visibility, but there was no rain, only the remaining blast of snow flurries that were steady before our arrival. However my daughter put it best when she said,  ”It’s cold, but it’s beautiful.” I knew if she could appreciate nature in these conditions, she would love where we were headed the following morning. After an early dinner at Pssghettis, (www.pssghettis.com), we decided to turn it in early to get our rest so we could tackle the Virginia Creeper. “From it’s beginning as a Native American foot trail to it’s current use as a multiple use recreational trail, the Virginia Creeper Trail has seen many changes in 100+ years of existence. In the early 1900’s, the trail was used as a rail line to haul lumber and passengers from Abingdon, VA to Elkland, NC (Now Todd, NC). A one-way trip of over 35 miles that will find you passing over 100 trestles and bridges. The Virginia Creeper Trail provides 35 mile passage through southwest Virginia’s mountains well suited for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling, as well as a convenient path to many great fishing locations. The Creeper Trail received its name for the methodical way the train moved up the gradual incline to the top of the mountain.  We reserved our Bicycles weeks in advance from  THE BIKE STATION (www.thebike-station.com), and we are certainly suggest you do the same during the “changing of the leaves.”

The Virginia Creeper is not for the avid mountain biker, unless they choose to do it backwards (like some crazy fools do).  Not me, I was happy with my peddle twice and glide a mile or two before coming to the next snack break, and we took plenty.  We were not the only ones taking breaks.  The hardest part about the trail is avoiding all the other families taking their Holiday card photo, or the beautiful Fly Fishing scene that will become a canvas gallery wrap for their office.  The subject matter along the trails were endless: trees, leaves, streams, smiles, miles, birds, dogs, see-saws, churches, babies, families, beavers, deers and lots of bridges. It was the prettiest 30 miles of my life, and I got to share it with every member of my immediate family, I suggest you do the same…….and if you do, please take lots of photos and send them to Mastercolorlabs.com.