NC Mountains, Art, and Shopping

Had a relaxing two days in the North Carolina mountains,this weekend.

Highlands, North Carolina and neighboring Cashiers, NC are cute little towns with great restaurants and some fun shopping. There are lots of waterfalls and hiking trails in the immediate area.

We forgot our favorite hiking books, this trip, so tried a couple of favorite old hikes (from memory), instead. I can't explain WHY I like to always try new trails - but that is just a strange little quirk our family has - each trail must be new to us.

Here is the cute downtown Highlands ...........

And here is Whiteside Mountain - between Cashiers and Highlands (view from below)..........

AND the view from the top............

Here is the view from atop Satulah Mountain...............

We love to hike the many, many trails around the Highlands/Cashiers area. Here is a good link I found for hikes in the area. Highlands North Carolina Hiking Trails . If you are in the area - stop by Highland Hiker and pick up a hiking trail book (with handdrawn maps).

One delicious restaurant is The Log Cabin Steakhouse in Highlands ..........

The Log Cabin restaurant has original Steve Penley paintings. By the way - this new Steve Penley book is great - refreshingly patriotic- we had a chance to read over it while we waited on a table..........

Here are a couple of his paintings - (he is a Georgia artist).........



A couple of my favorite stores in Highlands include The Dry Sink

And Dutchmans Designs

Looks like fun, doesn't it???

Sorry I could not share the smell and feel of the mountain air with you via the internet. The AIR is what reminds you that you are in the mountains! Well, that, and the scenery!