NC Trip Day Seven - The Last Day
Today was our last full day here in North Carolina. For our final adventure, we went to Grandfather Mountain. As we entered the park, we were warned that there might be some rain. Fortunately though, we didn't encounter any rain. However, we did get a few dark clouds and just a bit of wind.
First thing was first, we crossed the mile-high swinging bridge and climbed to the top of the mountain. With the high winds, crossing the bridge was a little more nerve wracking than usual what with the howling through the metal bits of the structure. Once we were up on top, we had 360 degree views of the area. It was absolutely stunning.
After being properly chilled between the dropping temperature, the raising humidity, and the sustaining wind, we headed down to the museum and the animal habitat.
Down at the habitat, we spent most of our time with the bears, because they were the ones that had the most personality, and of course they were very cute. We hung around long enough to hear about one of the first bears they had in the habitat, named Mildred. They say she didn't know that she was a bear, and when they released her, she came back and just hung around.
We moved on from the bears after a large crowd formed, and looked at the rest of the animals they had there. We didn't, however, get to see the cougars, because they were in the process of renovating their habitat.
After going through the museum, we decided it was time for lunch, so we ate the lunch that we had brought in a little picnic area, and then headed back towards Little Switzerland to have some ice cream.
Before ice cream, though, we stopped at one overlook that I absolutely needed to see before we left: the Chestoa View. It's an overlook viewing the Linville Gorge, and it is absolutely staggering. The photos any person takes, no matter the skill, no matter the equipment, will never do it justice. However, every time I've stopped there I've tried. Every photographer will try, and I wasn't the only one this time, even. I'm so happy to have seen it again.
Once we returned back to the cabin, it all came to realization that this was our last day, and tomorrow will primarily be packing the car up and heading out. It's unfortunate, but the real world needs us.
I hope my daily documentation of our trip has been insightful or entertaining or inspiring or some other positive adjective. I'm hoping that this practice in writing will lock in the habit of doing something like this every day. I've always loved writing, and I've missed it, and I thank you for reading whatever kind writing you can call this.
