Chris and I took the past weekend off from unpacking and settling a bit and decided to go exploring our new area in North Carolina. It is always fun to find out what lies beyond and living in Transylvania County is offering us far more than what the name might suggest. No neck biting here but over 250 waterfalls to find so we are on a mission as you can imagine.
We started the weekend off by visiting the Transylvania Farmers Market and it was amazing. If you wanted it you could probably find it here. I will show you just a few photos to illustrate the variety of items that could be found at this amazing Saturday market located behind the Comporium building in Brevard. The market is open through December 19th on Saturdays from 8 am – 12 pm.
I took more pictures of dogs than I did of the vendors. I realized this as I looked at what pictures to include. That is a post for another day I think.
We did go in search of waterfalls and decided to save some of the more popular and crowded ones for a non holiday weekend. We stopped when we saw some by the road but did not hike in anywhere on this trip. This drive found us in Pigsah National Forest which is an amazing place. It is massive and covers over 512, 000 acres. The Pisgah National Forest was established in 1916 and was one of the first national forests in the eastern United States. One thing I remembered from my tour of The Biltmore was that approximately 86,700 acres had been part of the Biltmore Estate, but were sold to the federal government in 1914 by Edith Vanderbilt. We were able to find some beautiful waterfalls close to the road and took a few pictures of those on the way through the park.
After driving the windy roads we decided to stop off at The Cradle of Forestry which is touted as the Birthplace of Forestry Conservation in America. There are numerous trails to explore and exhibits to look at and the $5 admission fee was very reasonable. We chose to walk the Forest Festival Trail and found the brochure and trail markers to be very informative and interesting. The hike was only 1.3 miles so it was an easy walk and we took a lot of time to stop and take pictures along the way.
I think the great thing about this place is that it preserves the history of America’s first forestry school. There are historic buildings that were part of the Biltmore Forest School and trails that show past and present forestry. Dr. Carl Alvin Schenck was Biltmore’s resident forester for some time and was the founder of the Biltmore Forest School in 1898. His words and passion are documented in every aspect of this facility. One of the favorite quotes I found was from him at age 86:
Woods are sanctuaries! Send the kids to the woods. They are better for them than any classrooms built of brick.
We have so much to explore in North Carolina and you can bet that I will be sharing a lot of adventures on the blog. The mountains are beautiful and we are enjoying the scenery and the sounds of our new area.
39 Comments
Leave a commentWow! 250 waterfalls in one county???!! That’s amazing. The farmers market looks delightful, and your photos of the nature trail are beautiful. I know you’re excited to explore your new surroundings! And we look forward to you sharing the area with us.
Thanks, Dianna. It is really a beautiful place and we truly feel blessed to be here. I have so many adventures to take, that is for sure!
Very captivating blog. Really enjoy how you see things and share with your followers.
Thanks, Ozzie. You are the best. I am loving all that there is to see and do here in NC. Cant’ wait to share it all. Hope you are well.
I moved to Greensboro in mid January. I haven’t gotten to explore yet.
Oh goodness—we are practically neighbors. I hope you get time to start exploring soon. NC is such a great state!
So much beautiful nature! Can’t wait to visit. Giggle that you live in Transylvania.
I know—the Transylvania thing makes me laugh and they of course have a whole “Bite Me” campaign going with it. 🙂
We also are enjoying the Smokys. Spent this week enjoying the sights in and around Gatlinburg.
The mountains are so amazing and Gatlinburg is certainly an amazing place to visit. I am sure you found a lot of great things to do there. What a fun trip!
Glad to see you are enjoying your surroundings. It is a lot of fun to explore a new area. We recently found some waterfalls as well. I don´t believe there are 250 in all of Spain! One of the things we really love here are the markets. Such variety and good prices.
I bet the markets in Spain are amazing. I love any market because I always seem to be able to find the best and most unique things there.
What a scenery contrast to Iowa. Like night and day difference. It’s beautiful to view in photos. But I think I might struggle with all those trees. But 251 waterfalls. Glorious. And that farmers’ market looks spectacular.
I had to giggle about your “struggle with the trees”. It is quite different from the prairie but a lovely change. I love trees. So many varieties and great smells and textures. I think there is beauty in both the prairie and the mountains and I am so grateful I have had the chance to live in many different environments so I can appreciate them all. The waterfalls are pretty amazing. I can’t wait to start the serious search .
I’m better than I used to be with trees. I do, afterall, have a wooded area next to my backyard. But still, I prefer wide open spaces to feeling hemmed in.
beautiful!!
Thank you!
What an incredibly beautiful place!! My mom and I recently discovered a farmer’s market and the cutest cafe in an outing — and it inspired me to feature more of my local history and surroundings on my own blog.
That butterfly shot — Bravo!!!
Thanks so much. I love farmer markets –all of them. Any of them. They are all amazing. I love that you are moving to do more local stuff on your blog. I keep missing reading yours so I suspect I did not get it put into BlogLovin when I changed things over. I need to go fix that right now. Thanks for stopping by.
Exploring your new surroundings is going to give you lots of fodder for your blog, that’s for sure! The farmer’s market looks like fun and I remember that NC is home to a ton of waterfalls. I think my daughter & son-in-law are going to Asheville for their anniversary. They are our adventurers so I’m sure they’re going to visit as many waterfalls as they can squeeze in.
Oh I LOVE Asheville and there is so much to do there. I can’t believe that we have been here 3 weeks already so I think the time is going to fly by. Thanks for stopping by!
Asheville is great! We stayed in Black Mountain and it’s a fun little place too.
I agree! Asheville is amazing! Love when other people discover fun places as well.
I enjoyed looking at the beautiful pictures you posted. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by, Judy. I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures. Come back anytime!
Your pictures are beautiful. I enjoyed seeing all the flowers,, and other pictures as well. I can see why you are so happy there…
It is a really beautiful state and we are so happy to be here. I hope to get you here someday as well!
I’ll maybe identify the butterflies (I could be wrong)! The first one is a fritillary of some sort, the second is probably an Appalachian tiger swallowtail, and the third is a pipevine swallowtail. I always enjoyed identifying the mystery birds in the photos that Beth Ann sent out, when she was living in Australia…
Thanks for the id—-I knew they were some kind of swallowtail but not the particular kind. I love how you know all things wildlife!
Love your pics! Looks like you had an amazing time. I LOVE the Biltmore House. I’ve been there once and hope to see it one day again.
Oh you have to come see me when you go see it again! Promise me!
I would LOVE that!
It’s all so beautiful! I can’t wait to come visit you and go exploring 🙂
I hope that day will come sooner rather than later!
Gorgeous pics! Have fun getting acquainted with your new surroundings!
Thank you so much! We are having a good time!
Looks like you’ve picked a beautiful and neat place to call home. I’m not sure what I like more – the eclectic, yet small town farmers market, or the number of waterfalls in your area!
There is an amazing amount of stuff to do and I am just going to be so busy finding it all!
You know I love a post with butterflies! Recently, I was accused of intentionally taking a wrong turn just so I could tour the George Washington National Forest. Imagine that! You live in a beautiful part of NC.