The Blue Ridge Mountains

Oct. 8-12

Hallelujah! We live to find these nuggets of civility! The Blue Ridge Mountain Resort, outdoor-resorts.com in Lake Toxaway, NC, owned by Outdoor Resorts of American, is close to perfection for an RV resort. The panorama is exquisite, the lots large, private and with lovely ammenities like outdoor kitchens and fireplaces. There's a Par 3 course on property, a pool and are in the midst of constructing a large clubhouse and tennis courts. If they could manage to put a beach up here, I'd be in seventh heaven!

On our first full day in the Blue Ridge we went to Whitewater Falls, the tallest falls east of the Mississipi. The hike to the 451 foot drop is an easy 1/2 mile on a paved path. However, the 12 flights of stairs to get a closer look could be a bit wary for some at this altitude. Do it if you can. At this time of year, while the hills are not in full fall flame, they are punctuated with color. The falls cut a thundering path.

We made our way to Cashiers (pronounced Cashers) which is the most suprisingly, delightful village filled with high-end interior shops reminiscent of Litchfield County, CT. Two stand-out shops were Ryan and Company Antiques ryanandcompanyantiques.com and Basketworks, both on Route 107 South.

The Cashiers Farmer's Market was quite of find! Filled with fresh produce and an extensive line of jams, dressings and the like. The Vidalia Peppercorn dressing is fab...should have bought more! And their frozen, ready-to-bake bisquits gave us a great morning treat.

The Cashiers Leaf Festival is in full swing! There're Blue Grass bands, local merchants selling wares and an appearance by an actor who for 20 years has been touring in a one-man show about John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club among numerous other achievements.

Our son-in-law, Chip, is a descendant of John Muir, so we had a nice chat about the Muir Clan.



Lunch at a real find...just a kind of coffee shop in the center of town. Cafe 107 makes the best Tomato Basil soup I've ever had....good enough to ask them to pack a quart for the freezer. Rick has a terrific Corn Tortilla soup and a half ham and cheese croissant....equally good!




Took a long, long walk to view the resort property in the morning. It is really lovely...and not an easy walk in these mountains. Climbed to the top of the decorator waterfall where the clubhouse and tennis courts will be. Quite a sight!
The town of Highlands has been recommended for a visit. Quite a bit larger than Cashiers, the village looks quaint and charming. But after I'd pick Cashiers over Highlands in a heartbeat. The shops are plentiful, but with the exception of a fabulous cashmere store, (the name which I can't seem to come up with except it starts with an M), are not the quality of those in Cashiers. Nor was the place we picked for lunch, The Highlands Inn restaurant....charming looking enough, but downright awful food.

Sunday morning brought brillant skies and the first brunch challenge we like to do at home...make something fabulous with bits of leftovers found in the fridge. Turned out wonderfully. We had cooked a Wagyu steak and garlic rosemary potatoes on the grill and there was enough left over to make a spectacular hash topped with eggs.

Still trying to catch up and get organized. And though the day was spectacular, it felt real good to get the wash and ironing done while watching the finals of the President's Cup.

Had dinner and a good time at a real local place just down the road.....Toxaway House Restaurant overlooks a small waterfall from a screened porch. A very talented pianist entertained with a great variety of selections.

Moving towards the Gulf Coast of Alabama in the morning. Will take a couple of days to get there, but long to get my toes in the sand!