Asheville, NC

Asheville Fall Foliage

We drove over to Asheville for my birthday the last weekend in October.  This time of year is the peak of tourist season in Asheville because of the beautiful fall colors in the mountains. I've never been so excited to see changing leaves before haha! We did a lot of driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway and stopped at many overlooks to take in the mountain scenery. Clay got me a new camera for my birthday so, of course, we had to stop every 5 minutes so I could use it!

Blue Ridge Mountains

Top of Mt. Mitchell

Blue Ridge Mountains--they really do look blue

We stopped at Mount Mitchell State Park and did some hiking over to Mount Craig. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak east of the MS river at 6,684 feet. We drove to the top and walked up the accessible ramp to the summit for a great view.

We then took the Deep Gap hiking trail from Mt. Mitchell over to Mt. Craig which is the second highest peak at 6,647 feet elevation. We were so high up that there was snow and ice on parts of the trail in October!

Summit of Mt. Craig--good birthday hike

Playing around with my new camera

St. Lawrence Basilica

Downtown Asheville

We also did a lot of walking around downtown Asheville and visited some of the local breweries on the Asheville Brews Cruise. We learned way more about the science of brewing beer than we ever needed to know, but it was fun!

Green Man Brewing Company

The Outer Banks, NC

Bodie Island Lighthouse

We spent a weekend in various locations along Outer Banks including: Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Corolla, and Rodanthe.

One-legged bird on Jeanette's Pier
Nags Head, NC

It was so windy and the water was so rough it was coming up from the bottom on the huge pier. 

We went to the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills. It was very interesting to learn about flight and see where it all happened. The Wright Brothers were actually from Ohio and chose to move to Kitty Hawk, NC because it was the perfect location with wind and sand dunes to test their flights.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean

Wright Brothers' Memorial

Site of the Wright Brothers' first 4 flights

Preparing to hang glide outside the flight school

We decided to be adventurous and go hang gliding on the sand dunes at Jockey Ridge State Park. We took an hour flight lesson at hang gliding school before heading out to the sand dunes for the real thing. 

Receiving our final instructions prior to take off.

We have lift off

Sadly, it was so windy that day that the 2 instructors had to hold on to the glider as you took off to prevent you from flying off to France. We decided to take a "wind check" and come back another day to hang glide when the weather is just right.

Currituck Lighthouse

Cape Lookout National Seashore

Sunrise waiting to board the ferry to Cape Lookout 

We went on a beach camping trip to Cape Lookout National Seashore near the Outer Banks. Katie and Brandon Lokits (with Winston) drove up from Wilmington to meet us for our camping trip.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Packed down with everything including surf boards and a picnic table

Base camp for the weekend "Camp Wind Wall"

Clay and Brandon surfed for most of the day while the girls relaxed on the beach in the sun. 

Amazing tuna steak dinner provided by some amazing chefs

Sunset on the Crystal Coast

Everyone woke up super early to watch the sun rise on the East coast. We were exhausted, but it was totally worth it. 

Built another fire on the beach for our weenie roast lunch...delicious.

Couldn't let Winston get sunburned

We had a great weekend at the beach with some great friends!

Charlotte, NC

Bank of America Stadium--Charlotte, NC 

Went to Charlotte at the last minute for Saints vs. Panthers game. Got to see a great game with the Saints whooping up on Scam Newton. Our first NFL game together was definitely a fun one.

Hey Drew Brees

Crazy kid that danced the entire game

View from the nosebleed seats, but still a great game