Chimney Rock State Park - March 2024

The morning of our last day in NC was absolutely gorgeous. We had to walk the Airbnb property for a minute to take it in.  

And as we were leaving, we saw a white squirrel, for which the area is famous.

We didn't have time for much before we had to catch our flight out, so we made a quick stop at Chimney Rock State Park. 

This purple tree!

There are apparently 499 stairs to get to the lookout at the top. Lots of stairs. 

I had to stop Berry from climbing the fence. I didn't think the park people would like that. 

But then she climbed this tree and was soon joined by her sisters. 

As soon as the girls got off, some other kids tried to climb on and get regulated on by a worker. We got off just in the nick. 

This was the cave on the way out.

I guess we had ice cream because luminous Bear sported some chocolate facial hair. 

More Waterfalls & Leaving a Mark - March 2024

 Thursday, March 28, we did more waterfall hikes. First, Rainbow Falls.

I don't know why the pliéing started, but it was cute.

Tiny went upriver exploring.

So many pics of kids (especially Tiny) in trees.

Rainbow Falls delivered rainbows.

The girls thought this warning sign was really something.

Berry found a seat.

She let me hang out and talk with her for a while, and it was lovely.

We enjoyed the trees on the short walk to the Whitewater Falls lookout. 

We stopped at a convenience store for refreshments and restrooms. The girl who was working there was getting ready to paint and asked if the girls could do handprints. It was very exciting. 

As we returned to the car, I took note of the name of the place. How providential it all was!

Tiny worked on her drumming in the car.

We went back to Sliding Rock so Jim could fulfill our motto "swim in every body of water" and Tiny could pretend she was going to. I know I should have done it, but it was just so incredibly cold. 

Tiny stood with her feet in the water and then frantically hurried out because it was too cold. 

Jim was the only brave one. 

We lunched in Brevard and talked to the server about the town (because we were obsessed). Apparently it's grown like crazy in recent years.