Last weekend, my family spent the day in beautiful Lake Junaluska, NC. Located just outside of Waynesville, NC, this beautiful Haywood County mountain community offers breathtaking views and fresh mountain air, with an overall downhome, welcoming feel.
Beautiful Lake Junaluska, located in the Great Smokey Mountains of NC...
The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center is a Methodist campus, which welcomes visitors from all over the world, and from very denomintaion and background. Its beautiful grounds and lovely buildings and residential homes are the perfect setting for a relaxing retreat or conference for any group or organization, or the perfect destination for a beautiful family vacation.
Cross at the lake...
We were invited to visit Lake Junaluska for the very first time by my husband's grandparents, who spent their honeymoon at Lake Junaluska, years ago. They rented a home with a gorgeous lake view for a week, and invited us up to spend the day with them. We were given a tour of the lovely lake, all of the dorms and lodging facilities, as well as stately homes with gorgeous stone surroundings. Most impressive to me, was the beautiful rose walk, which lines a section of the lake, along the main drive. I was told that early each morning, a volunteer walks along the rose walk, and clips the roses that have bloomed in full, leaving them for others to pick up and take with them.
Balian with his Great Grandparents- Ted and Velma Witt
Nana Velma, Balian, Granddaddy Ted, me and hubby Sacha...
Beautiful lake and mountain view from the lake house...
Lake Junaluska is a beautiful community. They feature year round festivals, choir tours, and more! They also offer camps for children and youth, a fabulous golf course, biking, hiking, nature walks, etc. Balian loved riding in the car over the bridge that runs over the dam, and I enjoyed being able to see the wildflower garden. Grandaddy Ted and I both love and appreciate the simple and exquisite beauty of flowers. If you're looking for a wonderful place with cozy accomodations and friendly faces in a serene seting, Lake Junaluska is worth checking out! You can read more about the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center on their website.
We enjoyed a yummy lunch in downtown Sylva, at one of my husband's favorite restaurants... Nick & Nate's. He used to go there quite a lot when he was in college, at Western Carolina University. He said their pizza was just as good as he remembered it being, and I thought their chicken salad sandwich with their homemade chips was incredible! We even sampled delicous fried mushrooms, which I hadn't had in a very long time! Balian loved their pizza, too- and was entertained by coloring the kids menu. Our service was wonderful, and we can't wait to go back!
Chocolate treats and bottled root beer at The Chocolate Fetish in Asheville, NC...
After we spent the afternoon visiting and catching up, it was time for us to head back down the mountain. We stopped off in Asheville, NC on our way home, to visit my favorite chocolate shop- The Chocolate Fetish. If you're ever in Asheville, you must park and walk around the downtown area, and pop into The Chocolate Fetish for one of their famous truffles. We only go there about once a year, so I purchase a box of truffles each time we go. This was Balian's first trip to The Chocolate Fetish that he'll remember, so we let him pick out his own chocolate. He went for the chocolate covered Oreo cookies, and gobbled one up, right there in the chocolate shop! I waited until we got home to indulge in my favorite truffle- the Champagne Truffle. I also chose a Velvet Sin Truffle, which is my second favorite! It was hard not to touch them on the ride home, but they were worth the wait (and always are!).
After a very long day, and six hours in the car, we were glad to be home. We can't wait to see Granddaddy and Nana again, and we hope to go back to Lake Junaluska someday. We're already making plans to drive up to Asheville, just to spend the day putzing around- eating, shopping and experiencing all of the unique sights and sounds that make Asheville such an artistic, unique community.
Tune in next week, to see where our next adventure takes us!
Where have your travels taken you lately?
It is so nice that you were able to go to such a really beautiful spot with your grandparents-your son's great grandparents. I love that someone there cuts roses each day for others to pick up-such a beautiful gesture. That chocolate shop looks to die for!!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an amazing scenic vacation! We are headed to the beach in November for our week long vacation
ReplyDeleteThese are great pics. It's nice that restaurant was as good as your husband remembered. That's not always the case, so it's great when it is. :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had an amazing times - I love the top few photographs so beautiful :) x
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful day and a beautiful area. You are making me hungry, already. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am planning a trip to go back to the Midwest in October. Hopefully the leaves will be in full color.
I just love North Carolina. I used to live in Fayetteville. It is such a breathtaking state. Thank you for sharing your favorite places! Looks like you had a wonderful travel time :)
ReplyDeleteLooks beautiful. I use to live in North Carolina but haven't been back to visit in a long time.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very beautiful place to visit. How nice that you got a photo of your baby and his great grand parents. Something to treasure!
ReplyDeleteWe have a camp here in Washington that sounds similar in that it's surrounded by god's handiwork. I love being able to walk in the woods and hear the birds without them being drowned out by traffic.
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