Peak to Whee: Orchards, Festivals, BBQ, and Blowing Rock

Fall break began Friday afternoon with a road trip from Cullowhee to North Wilkesboro with one of my best friends Sophie. North Wilkesboro has their annual Apples Festival the first weekend in October every year, and throughout the years its become a tradition and a chance to go and see family. Not to mention buying apples from our family orchards, Tevepaugh Orchards.
A trip in the mountains isn't a trip unless you have some awesome music, leaves changing, and small towns. Our original plan was to head to North Wilkesboro with a stop along the way being Boone and to walk around the small town, and visit Mast General Store (who doesn't love barrels of candy). Well with it being close to sunset and the weather becoming nice and chilly, we decided to switch up our plans of hanging in the college town and decided to go to The Woodlands Barbecue Pit; BEST DECISION EVER! Not only was it small town mountain scenery, but you walked in to a guy playing guitar in the middle of the restaurant and our food on pig carved serving platters. Not to mention a late night walk through Blowing Rock, this place is amazing! Best stop on the trip.

With going to school in the mountains I am amazed at God's beauty everyday when I wake up every morning to something new. The best sunrises/sunsets, leaves changing, cold chilly weather where I can put on my wool socks and a pullover. Although the most amazing view I have seen was during the trip from Blowing Rock to North Wilkesboro. Thank you Wanda the GPS for taking me on those back roads so I could look around at the fields on either side of me and see lights on the mountains followed by the clearest sky full of stars. It was like time had stopped. I was literally questioning whether to pull off the side of the road and lay in the field and stare up at the sky. Not to mention "How He Loves" playing through my stereo, and it fit in to the whole situation; you realize the beauty and the mystery in this world in times like that.
I look forward to the trip to the Apple Festival because its the one time I am able to see most of all my moms side of the family, Over the years the festival has become more than just candy apples, and kid rock walls; but now much more of an opportunity to hear about my family, see the orchards that my family runs and a great time for coffee and photos. (this is when you see all the photos...)