In August, Head for the Hills

   

I’m pretty sure that when James Taylor had Carolina on his mind, he wasn’t longing for the months of July and August in the big city.  Combine summer heat that can reach 100 degrees with humidity in similar numbers, and you’ve got a recipe for sweaty and sticky.  However,  from Raleigh you can be at the beach in 2 1/2 hours or in the mountains in 3.   I’m from Florida — I’ve done beaches.  It’s the mountains for me!

Every year my family rents a cabin in Blowing Rock for a week.  The air is cool, the views are magical, and there’s as much, or as little, to do as you’d like. We hiked six miles and bicycled twenty. At a restaurant called The Gamekeeper, I tried rabbit and rattlesnake sausage, buffalo, and ostrich — all very tasty.  We ate well, both in and out.  We played Settlers of Catan.  We took a field trip to Asheville and toured the Thomas Wolfe House. We took pictures of butterflies and flowers we couldn’t name. We enjoyed good company and good wine. 

We’re already planning our visit for 2012.