Well Friday was a day of adventures and we did some which were at times rather on the edge of danger or at least very thrilling as we traveled down the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Boone/Blowing Rock area, but first we continued through old down town Boone on 321 towards Tennessee and ended up on 105 a route that takes you into this rugged mountain area for about 15 or 20 miles. There is a huge lake across the road from our friends 81 acres which are mainly mountainous with almost straight up and down ridges. He has a beautiful stream of water that comes from several small water falls in the area as its being groomed for a park/camp ground for campers; both RV and tent style. We took a hike back to the waterfall and then some jeep rides up to the top of one mountain which was thrilling and at times considered dangerous by a few of the weaker occupants. We spent nearly 3 hours visiting and seeing this rugged part of the area as well as the many great building projects by our old friend from Florida and BridgePoint Church. He has settled down into a life style which fits his personality as a building contractor and it has great potential for success with his ideas and projects cantering to tourists and outdoor lovers.
We headed back towards the Boone area around 2'ish and stopped at a barbecue house called Willy Brooks for a late lunch/early supper. The food was very good, reasonable but the dessert was a one huge slice of chocolate cake which satisfied everyones taste for sweets. We waddled out of the place and headed to Blowing Rock. This was the first time Steve and Sheri had ever visited this part of the mountains and they loved it especially the gals as they meandered along the quaint main streets many shops and boutiques. Steve and I headed down to see a local artist who happened to be a retired pastor from Florida and who knew one of our closest friends and pastor from Pinellas County and Indian Rocks Church, Charlie Martin. We chatted with him then headed up one side of the street to settled in the beautiful park area in the main part of town and sat and watched all the folks who had their dogs on leashes walking about.
It was after 6 before the gals had enough so we headed out towards West Jefferson and rode on the newly divided 221 highway which now goes into W. Jefferson; such and improvement from days gone bye. We cut over to Glendale Springs and rode the parkway home seeing a couple deer out already in the broad daylight. They loved the views and can't wait to show off the area to their family when they arrive later in the summer and fall. We dropped them off right at 8 and called it day. It wasn't long until I hit the shower after watching the Braves and Rays on the TV. The Braves were winning when I turned the lights off around 10 ish, LATER
