Sunday, July 20, 2014

Grandfather Mountain, NC

A family vacation took us to North Carolina recently where we visited with the younger generation. Eldest sister Carrie and husband Phil joined us as we journeyed to their daughters home. A day excursion from her home included a visit to Grandfather Mountain in Linville, NC.


We arrived in time to observe 'enticement' time for the bears. This activity is meant to break up the day for the animals, and may include a variety of different activities, such as offering a board with an unusual scent for them to sniff out and enjoy, or tossing cake crumbs into different areas of their housing so they are encouraged to pursue the pieces of cake. When we arrived, as the crowd gathered, the bears seemed to know it was time for a special treat. 


In addition to an informative nature center  and gift shop, a wide variety of ranger activities and trails, there is a mile high swinging bridge that offers majestic views of the mountain. The bridge swings freely, but the movement isn't noticeable unless you stand still.




Once you are on the other side of the bridge, you can climb further along the rocks and crevices until you are on top of the world. Cautious older cousin Cedar protected his younger cousins as they made the trek to the highest peak.


2 comments:

Angela McRae said...

I had my photo taken on that very bridge a few years back! (There's a MacRae connection to my husband's family there.) Fun!

Marilyn Miller said...

Beautiful! I would love walking on that bridge and seeing the sights live and in person.