Cold fall morning at mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Cold Fall morning at mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina (iPhone Photo)

This past weekend it was off to the North Carolina Mountains at the invitation of friends to join them at their mountain cabin.  It’s a little less then a three hour drive and we only experienced a little rain during the drive Friday.

The cabin is actually two 18xx period log cabins rescued from the valley floor and reassembled into one large cabin high on a mountain side — very interesting.

Late afternoon light, porch view, mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Late afternoon light, porch view, mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina

It was a cold weekend with or near freezing night temperatures at the altitude we were staying.

Autumn leaves, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Autumn leaves, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina

The leaves seemed about a week away from their peak colors but were still enjoyable to view.

Entrance to trail to Big Bald Mountain in early fall, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Entrance to Big Bald Mountain trail in early fall, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina

On Saturday we hiked to the top of Big Bald Mountain which is location on the North Carolina and Tennessee State borders.  It was cold enough that there was ice on the trees and limbs near the top and a steady 10-20 mph wind adding a bitter chill factor.  Needless to say we didn’t linger long at the top.

Ice on upper nearby trees and fall colors starting to show. View from top of Big Bald Mountain, North Carolina.
Ice on upper nearby trees and fall colors starting to show. View from top of Big Bald Mountain, looking back into North Carolina.

Meals/cooking for the weekend was split between the two couples and you can always count on good eating.  There were also some spirited “Hand and Foot” card games played.

Small mountain stream during fall, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Small Mountain stream during fall, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina

One of the nice things about this weekend was our dog, Maggie, was invited.

Maggie enjoying the mountain cabin and fireplace on a cold day,  Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Maggie enjoying the mountain cabin and fireplace on a cold day, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina

Maggie was the hit of the weekend and enjoyed all the wildlife watching as well as hiking in the nearby mountains.

Maggie, watching for wildlife, mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina
Maggie, watching for wildlife, mountain cabin, Wolf Laurel, Mars Hill, North Carolina (iPhone Photo)

It was nice to have an escape weekend — escape from what — I couldn’t say? :-)

 

 

4 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tom Dills
10 years ago

Looks like a good getaway, Earl. We’re looking forward to a little fall color this coming weekend, provided that the wind hasn’t blown all the leaves away!

Monte Stevens
10 years ago

Now that looks like the “place” to retire and offers a laid back life style! That view Maggie is taking in is awesome! Maybe next time your friends can invite me. :-)