Calendar for the week:
Day 1: Check-in (late start due to soccer commitments) - Dinner in Boone on the way in at the Black Cat Burrito.

Day 2: The Linn Cove Viaduct hike. This was a short 3.8 mile out and back from the Linn Cove Visitor Center to Ship Rock (and back). Numerous vantage points of the Viaduct and vistas heading east. Simply beautiful. The viaduct is directly beneath Grandfather Mountain. This was selected as a gentle introduction hike but it was quite challenging. Dinner at home.

Day 3: Calloway Peak (5,964 ft, the highest peak in the Grandfather range. We parked at the Boone Fork parking lot and headed up the Tanawa to the Boone Scout Trail all the way to the top. There were limited viewing options on the way as the trees blocked the view. This would have been a pretty straight forward hike except for the fact that it was up, up and up the whole way. We lunched at the Hi-Balsam shelter. It was us, our sandwiches, clouds and trees. Then the final push to the top, using a few ladders and we made it! Yeah. The clouds cleared at very points to provide awesome views. Beautiful. Then on the way down we split off the Boone Fork and took the Cragway trail and although much harder offered fantastic views into the Boone Fork bowl. Then with a mile to go (now on the Nuwati Trail) the rain hit and very damp but with our spirits (mostly) high because of our achievements we made it to the van. Not sure how far we did in the end but at least 6 tough miles. Dinner (Pizza) at the Mellow Mushroom.

Day 4: Kayaking on the Watauga River. We met our outfitter in Valle Crucis and he led us to the "put out" point down a very dusty and idyllic valley only about 15 mins from Valle Crucis. He then drove us all back up to the "put in". Two doubles and a single kayak provided the transportation. We'd had rain the day before and so the river was a few inches higher. That was good because we still did get stuck occassionally. We had a 2:30 hrs kayak down the river having lunch on a rock island half way through. It was gentle enough and very pretty. The peace was shattered only by Stephen's frustration voicing itself as he managed to select the wrong route again! The "girl team" won (Mommy and Mia), followed very closely by Stephen, A lovely, peaceful few hours with nice scenery. We then relaxed at the Valle Crucis Park. Dinner at home.

Day 5: Stephen's 18th Birthday - He opened presents followed by a pancake (yummy) breakfast. Then we headed out. The Boone Fork Trail (4.9 miles). We did this last year without Stephen and we wanted him to see it. It's relatively flat compared to the other hikes but it's a nice hike through a bit of everything from the campgrounds (not so nice), to open meadows, to the usual high mountain forest to bouldering along the Boone Fork river (a powerful stream at this point). Last year we considered this our most major accomplishment. This year I'm afraid it pales in comparison. Dinner at Sorrento's in Banner Elk.

Day 6: Harper Creek Falls & Linville Falls. This was our "waterfall" day. We headed first to a relatively unknown area known as the Wilson Creek "Wilderness" area. I can see why! After leaving the Blue Ridge Parkway, we ventured on gravel roads for about 30 minutes into nowhere! Ironically we passed three maintenance vehicles working on the roads (kinda ironic) and 1 regular vehicle. We parked at the Harper Creek Trail head and ventured in. It was a much warmer, sticky day. Probably because it was genuinely warmer and also because we were lower down. Anyway, the hike was just 3 miles roundtrip and the reward was worth it. The Harper Creek Falls are the tallest waterfalls in N.C. according to the guidebooks. It's not a "high" volume waterfall like Linville but it was fantastic. There weren't many views on the hike itself but when we stepped out at the top of the waterfall the view was awesome. Wild, very wild and beautiful. We then hiked down to the bottom for lunch on the rocks in the middle of the river. Then as we left we encountered some adventure. Stephen scampered over the rocks to the base of the Falls and all of sudden we heard a cry and I've never seen him move so quickly. He almost stepped on a huge snake. He first described it as an "anaconda" but I think that's a case of the "fish being sooooo big". But seriously there are snakes in N.C. and some big ones too (including copperheads and rattle snakes). After his heartbeat returned to normal we jumped from our island lunch spot back over rocks to the bank, only to find a copperhead (yes, venemous) in our way. After some hesitation we found a route passed the curious snake and headed on our way back. We came across 2 more snakes (black/rat snakes?) on the hike out. We were pleased to reach the car unscathed. Then after another lengthy drive out of the wilderness area we went to Linville and took the "easy" stroll on the other side of the river. We've been to Linville a few times but we've never down the easy side. Anyway we saw a different perspective and the views were great. Ice-cream at Kilwins, followed by dinner at home.

Day 7: Grandfather Mountain. We couldn't let the trip go back without a trip to Grandfather itself. We parked in the lower parking lot as usual and did the short hike to the swinging bridge. The views are fabulous. From there, we jumped "the trail is closed" sign and headed on the Grandfather Trail towards McCrae Peak and the infamous ladders. Last year we did one "thrilling" ladder on the Underwood Trail. That time we turned around well in advance of McCrae. This time we thought we'd take the Grandfather Trail all the way to McCrae. After the split with Underwood, we headed up and UP and UP. It was really tough and then came the ladders. At one point there are about 4 in a row. We made to the 3rd and then ... it was time to turn around. Just a little too precarious for a 7 and 5 year old and even made me a little extra careful. The kids and Mom waited at the bottom of the ladders and lunched, while Stephen and Dad clambered up the last section. Even beyond the ladders it was a little challenging. The fact that there's a few hundred feet drop on one side and the trail goes right along the edge only confirmed that we'd made the right decision to have the kids wait at "base" camp. Anyway, Stephen and Dad made. The reward was even better views and a sense of accomplishment. We returned to Mom, Cameron and Mia and then hiked the return route to the parking lot. A strenuous hike with great views.

Day 8: After some cleaning we headed to Blowing Rock to the outlet shops to make a few purchases. Lunch at Kotay's, dessert at Kilwins and then the drive home.

Another enjoyable, adventure for the Clowes Family.....