handsful

On Tuesday, Randy and the big kids went white water rafting.  Since Lainey wasn’t old enough, I stayed back with her.  My friend Patricia lives in Banner Elk, so it gave us a wonderful opportunity to see her and her family.  She has 3 almost grown sons and 3 beautiful daughters from China.  You’ll have to wait on the pictures from this day :) 

Wednesday was our busy, busy day!  We got a slow start, but managed to do everything we had planned.  I’m counting on at least a few days of exhaustion when we get home from this vacation…there is always the recovery period! 

First stop, Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.  We went to two, the main store and then the annex Candy Barrel.  I could have spent the whole day here.  So much history, so much to look at and buy…lol.  We came away with a few things at the main store, and then headed for the candy.  If you’ve never been here, picture what a candy store must have looked like back in time.  Barrels and barrels and…of candy.  There are baskets at the door and you fill them to your hearts (or wallets) content.  You could go nuts in here if you have a sweet tooth (or a whole mouth full, like me).  The fun is seeing all the brands you remember as a kid…BB Bats, Mary Janes, Whistle pops, those little wax bottles with the sweet liquid inside, candy cigarettes (the kids were a little dumbfounded on that last one).  It sure brought back memories of when my dad would give me $1 to walk up to the corner store for candy.  I guess I can blame him for my love of sweets. 

Linville Caverns came next.  We weren’t sure what to expect, but we all ended up loving it.  Well, except Randy when he realized they were taking us down this extremely narrow passage that had only one way out.  He bowed out of that part.  Close spaces wig him out.  The highlight for the kids was “total darkness”, when they turned out all light sources so we could see how dark it is.  Completely dark.  Nothing, not even a hint of light.  Freaky! 

I carried Lainey in the Ergo since it would have been hard for her to walk and back carriers weren’t allowed.  She LOVES the Ergo and gets giddy with excitement when she sees it. 

Abbey saw a store with this sign, so we had to get Randy’s picture under it.  He loves to talk to the kids in a Scottish accent.  Weird.  They crack up. 

EJ was so looking forward to his time at the Grandfather Trout Farm.  They stock the ponds and provide all the equipment you need, clean, and ice pack the fish.  We were there for quite a while and only getting nibbles.  Lainey used the time to learn the fine art of rolling down a grassy hill. 

 

Finally, right as I was focusing this shot he yelled out “I’ve got one!”.  See the line pulling?

His first Rainbow Trout…the boy could NOT stop smiling.  We had trout for dinner :)

At the trout farm, there was also gem mining.  They loved the process of finding the cool rocks. 

The last stop of the day was Hawksnest.  During the winter months, this is a snow tubing place (years ago, it was a ski resort…when Randy and I were dating, we came here with friends for Midnight Skiing).  They are now in the process of adding a huge system of cables for zip lines!  They had 4 lines open, with plans to open a total of 14 next week.  Since Randy took the big kids rafting, I had the pleasure of zip lining with them.  I was a little nervous…heights aren’t really my comfort zone.  To say the least.  But, I have to say.  It was AMAZING.  I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Is it possible that anyone looks good in these things?

We did 4 runs, each one longer and higher.  The last one was 2000 ft. long! 

One of our guides was impressed with how aerodynamic Marley was.  We joked she was like an arrow shooting through the air. 

EJ flying through the trees!

On the last run, Payton had a very concerned look on his face!  He assured us he was fine and loved it. 

Favorite shot!  The guide said Abbey was a natural and asked her if she wanted a job :) 

Randy had the easy job of juggling picture taking, video, and Lainey.  The kids will love being able to watch the videos of themselves! 

We ended our day with a delicious trout dinner (thanks, EJ) and a boys vs. girls game of Pictionary (after Lainey went to bed).  A fantastic day.