Our day on Wednesday started with my usual roll out around 6 or a little before to my routines as Bobby and family slept in until 7. Nancy was up early before me for a change as we were leaving the cabin at 7:45 for the trip to Boone where we were to log in at 9:30 for the zip line adventure. Boone is a little over 65 miles to the city limits and we were a few miles up the mountain south of the city near Blowing Rock. We made it there right on time and checked in. Annsley and Gabe where doing the zip line course which they have done several times for kids and this was my first time for the big one. I took Katie's place as she is now carrying twins in her womb and did not want to risk their health. Well I must say these young folks who run this operation are first class, safety first and lots of humor and I must say if you want an adrenalin rush for nearly 3 hours this is it.
We had a safety lesson on how to slow your speed when coming in on the tree's and huge rock outcropping and platforms. We had a great family from N.Y. with Bobby and I . There were 5 adult kids and most all of them were enrolled or had graduated from Liberty University in Virginia. The couple had one grand daughter and by the end of the adventure we got to know each other. One zip line was over 1600 feet in length and 400 feet in height and one 45 foot rappel down the side of a huge rock. I think we did 12 lines plus a long wobbly foot bridge over a creek probably 40-50 feet high and a couple hundred feet in length; I think that was the scariest of all as many times you thought you were going overboard. You were clicked in but not riding your safety straps as you walked across this footbridge which gave you the feeling of going overboard as it swayed severely.
We had a great time and I'm hoping to do it next year with Bobby. We all were first timers in our group except for Bobby who set the example. Big Momma as its called was unbelievable as we zipped over a huge gorge and a river below at speeds of 25-30 mph while hanging from a thin cable. The noise in the wire told us when the person on the line had reached the other side. Some of the lines which were lower in height went through the huge trees where the limbs had been trimmed to allow your passage. A great experience and while no one in our group chickened out it does happen at time. It's not cheap but a real experience at 75 bucks for nearly 3 hours including the the instruction time. It a very rugged area and just beautiful with vistas far reaching off the mountain.
We headed for the Woodlawn barbecue house in Blowing Rock which was recommended by several of the zip line staff and while it was decent I think the Peddling Pig was better in Boone. We did learn a feller by the name of Butch Triplett has been running the place for over 40 years and it was packed with two floors of diners at 1:30 in the afternoon. We had a sweet server who did her best to keep every one on her floor filled up with drinks until the food appeared which I thought took longer than necessary, anyhow while in Blowing Rock we stopped at the small museum on main street and signed the register and the attendant asked if we were any relation to the Triplett's who at one time were very prominent in the town. There is a Triplett House just off main street and now we know the owner of the supposedly the best barbecue house in the area. The girls shopped and Bobby and Gabe and myself visited the town park on main street. The place had lots of activities; tennis courts in action, three pickle ball courts but no one was playing, rock climbing that enticed both Gabe and Annsley as well as a play ground for small kids and swings that were in use. A real neat park in this picturesque town.
We came back a different way instead of the Blue Ridge Parkway which was getting some renovation and upgrades and had us waiting at times. The road back to Sparta on 221 is also getting upgrades to a 4 lane divided highway which will take the traffic into Jefferson as it goes through the mountain. We came back into Sparta and made a stop at the Food Lion for pizzas to be baked later as we had eaten a big meal around 2'ish. We were scheduled for pickle ball around 6 but we hit some big rain and the dark rain clouds looked ominous as we headed back to the cabin so we cancelled until today(thur) so that Bobby can get in a few games. Once we got back the sun came out and we could have played after all; you just never know about the weather here in the mountains. The inside of my thighs still have some issues from riding horses on Tuesday as I used muscles I don't usually use, oh well.
We ate a late supper of pizzas and salad around 7:30 then watched a reality show on making swords while we all showered once again in shifts. Afterwards we played some Kings on the Corner a card game even Gabe picked up fast and played quite well. Nancy who is usually the winner never won a game while Katie cleaned house with 4 in a row. At least all of us won at least one game except Nancy Jean who was left winless. It wasn't long after 10'ish I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER
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