June Sketch Challenge at Scrappin' Fun

Here's the sketch:














Here's my version:












SUPPLIES:
Patterned Paper: “India Ink”, Basic Grey (background); Sports Solution (Gamecock pattern); “Romance Stripe”, Junkitz (stripe)
“Jet Black” ink pad: StazOn
Journaling Font: Gloucester MT Extra Condensed
Burgundy and black fiber: unknown
Gamecock border sticker: Sports Solution
Football charm: Lil’ Charms, American Traditional Designs
Dymo label
Tab: Heidi Swap

Roan Mountain - Gardens????

OK, every good vacation has to have one big mistake...right? Well, this was ours. We had this wonderful brochure advertising the gorgeous Rhododendron Gardens at the top of Roan Mountain. It said peak blooming time was the 3rd week in June. We were close (end of May) and there were these flowers in bloom everywhere we'd been in the mountains. So, we asked and found out it was about a 30 minute drive so we decided to give it a whirl...not a good idea.

We found our own way there using a map we had in the car (there was no "easy" way unfortunately). It took at LEAST an hour to get there. Turns out Roan Mountain is pretty high up and it was COLD there...and the flowers were not anywhere near ready to bloom! OOPS!

I was disappointed because I wanted to see the flowers but Matt and Spencer seemed to kind of enjoy themselves. I think Spencer was excited just to be able to run around and stretch his legs. Matt liked the look of the spooky gardens. They honestly looked like something out of a scary kids storybook - like where a witch would live or something. These pictures don't even do them justice because it was much darker in real life. Plus, you could have easily gotten lost! The pictures aren't much to look at but I had to take them so I could tell this story.

Linville Falls - nature

Here are some shots of the actual waterfalls.

Linville Falls - People

On Saturday of our mountain trip, we went to Linville Falls. There you can hike up to various lookout points to see the beautiful waterfalls. Spencer was actually "bored" because the trail wasn't all rocky and bumpy like the one at Grandfather Mountain. But it was longer, so he did get tired in the end! Here are pictures of Spencer with both me and Matt in front of the river.

Gem Mining

The ONE thing that Spencer insists we do each and every time we go to the mountains is Gem Mining. I think we have tried every place in the area near where we stay. So, here he is...checking out his latest finds. He has a rock collection that weighs more than I do!

View from the Top

When we go to the mountains, we stay at a condo at the very top of Sugar Mountain (creatively named "SugarTop"). Spencer took these pictures with my camera from our balcony. It was sunset but we are on the side of the building where we don't actually see the sun setting. He also took some pictures on his camera but he's only about 1/2 way done with the roll. It'll be interesting to see what's on there because he took pictures of a 2-story Wendy's in Boone because he said "Now, that's something you don't see everyday". LOL!

Grandfather Mountain - Swinging Bridge

These are the last pictures of Grandfather Mountain - I promise! The main "attraction" there is the Mile High Swinging Bridge. It's a mile above sea level. This is the actual bridge (taken from the hike that goes under it). Matt is terrified of heights so he wouldn't go near the thing. Spencer, on the other hand, is a constant thrill-seeker. So, he and I braved the bridge together.




















This is Spencer on the other side of the bridge, after having crossed it - proof that he made it across in case there is ever any doubt!


















This is also Spencer at the top of Grandfather Mountain, on the other side of the bridge. Do you see the building on the top of the mountain in the background??? That's where we stay.

Grandfather Mountain - Hike

While at Grandfather Mountain, we took a short hike. You park at a certain area and can hike the mountain up under, and eventually to, the swinging bridge. It was only about a mile total but the path was very rocky. Spencer had a blast! It was a fun little walk.

Here is Matt taking a little rest (we are all so out of shape!)




















Matt and Spencer at the bottom of some stairs that led to a view. Behind them there is a small chapel in the middle of the woods - thought that was interesting.




















Spencer and Matt hiking on up....





















I took this close-up on our hike. Isn't it beautiful?

Grandfather Mountain - Big Rocks

One of the cool things about Grandfather Mountain is that they have a ton of BIG ROCKS. It's the rockiest or roughest mountain in the Appalachian chain.

These first 3 photos are of Split Rock. Matt & Spencer are under it in the 2nd photo - to illustrate how large it really is. The first photo is a close-up of them "holding" it up. The 3rd photo is Spencer and I sitting on the small portion of the rock (the part that is about as tall as Matt in the 2nd picture - to the right of him and Spencer)


























This is Spencer and I kind of "in" another large rock - don't know if this one had a name or not.














And here is Spencer on top of yet another rock. He loved having all these great big rocks to climb - nature's own playground!

Grandfather Mountain - Wildlife

For Memorial Day weekend, we headed to the mountains (we stay on the top of Sugar Mountain). We got there Thursday and went to Grandfather Mountain first. There they have some wildlife that you can see in their "natural" settings.

Here is a cougar...













And an otter...




















And a couple of bears (begging for food)...




















A bald eagle....




















And some deer.