Up until the last minute we weren't sure if we were going to make it to Blowing Rock. The trip had been on and off the calendar several times as busy schedules and life kept getting in the way, but we managed to pull it off.
We arrived in Blowing Rock Equestrian Preserve Friday afternoon about 5, got all of the horses settled, and headed out with Fred and Louise to eat ribs and sliced pork sandwiches at Woodlands Barbecue. Yum.
A 5 mile mountain run down to Bass Lake and back started Saturday morning out just right. The air was so much cleaner and easier to breath and the temps were perfect. We headed out onto the trails with the horses about 11. Odessa was a freight train for the whole drive as she powered behind Fred and Louise. We are working on not tailgating but she wanted to sit in Louise's lap so we back talked each other on this topic for several hours. My arms and hands were exhausted and TJ, who drove for an hour or more without gloves, had blisters from trying to hold her back. We drove about 12 miles through wooded and open trails. The Cone estate is so beautiful.
After the morning drive, TJ and I took his motorcycle out for a ride on the parkway and eventually up Grandfather Mountain. I guess we got lucky on getting up there on the motorcycle because the winds can be so strong at times. It's very touristy but it was a beautiful view and the mile high swinging bridge was kind of neat.
Saturday evening Fred and Louise treated us and some of their longtime friends to a great meal at Joy Bistro in Boone. After a meal of NC Trout, good wine and a busy day we rolled into our campsite for a good nights sleep in the trailer.
Another run down to Bass Lake got us going on Sunday morning, but this time TJ was much perkier so we shaved two minutes off the previous days run time.
Riding on the Parkway on a Harley was on Louise's bucket list so she headed off for a morning ride with TJ as Fred and I got the horses fed and harnesses. Windblown and grinning when they got back, I think they had a good time.
For our drive Fred had the fire tower trail in mind and with it's winding, steep trail my freight train horse had some of the steam knocked out of her by the top. The fire tower sits over 5000 feet above sea level and a climb up into the tower revealed beautiful views of the mountains. We could hear the Tweetsie Railroad, see Grandfather Mountain and unfortunately the Booger on Sugar as the out of place monstrosity is affectionately known amongst the Dearborn family. This section of trail has been one of my favorites as the meadows and mountain views are really incredible.
Arriving back at the trailer about 4 we got the horses cleaned up and fed and then we sat down under the nose of the trailer for hors d'oeuvres, beer and wine. After one beer I was about to fall asleep so I suggested we head out for dinner. Louise had heard that Bistro Roca was good. My meal had a Cuban theme with plantains to start, a Cuban Crepe for the main course and Mojitos to drink. Fred went for the trout after my great reviews of it the night before and Louise a pizza...can't remember what TJ had. Desert was a delicious bread pudding. We again rolled home full and tired to a night of rain pattering on the roof as we slept.
TJ had been a good sport about the running and healthy morning breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday so I suggested we go eat breakfast somewhere and we chose Knights on Main as it was open and looked like a local kind of joint. Wow was it good. The food and service was great, so if you are ever in the area I would highly recommend this family owned restaurant.
So after a weekend of great driving, food and friends we rolled on home where the reality of farm work hit us as we drove in the gate. The fence painters were coming the next morning and we had a lot to do to get ready for them.
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