Playin' In The Mountains

On my recent roadtrip from Dallas, TX to Greensboro, NC, we stopped at Mount Mitchell State Park in western North Carolina.  It was a gorgeous September day and a well-needed break from the Texas heat.

It was an awesome drive with lots of twists and turns as we ascended the mountain - too bad I had a terrible cold and the pressure was very painful on my ears.  I felt like my head was going to explode......I found out later that it actually IS a very real risk that I could've blown an eardrum up there.  Felt like I was close!

The coolest part of the trip up in the mountains was slamming on the breaks to see these bears!  They were right next to the road and Jenks told me to get out of the car and get pictures!  So I did, but I only got SO close and then used my zoom to get some good shots.  :)  It was a momma and two cubs!

It was so peaceful up there with nice cool weather - the absolute perfect day for a drive in the wilderness.

People even have houses on these steep mountain sides!  I bet they are very difficult to build......and thus cost a fortune.  But how cool would that be to have a house up there to retreat to!

The rock outcrops were beautiful - such a nice ride....and it felt so great to be a passenger and be driven around with the freedom to take pictures whenever I wanted.  :)

This was a neat tree that I found - I love the red berries.

If my head didn't feel like it was going to explode, I could've sat there all day..........

I hope the people who live nearby go here often - would be a shame not to!