Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Pink Beds Picnic Area, NC


While George and I were in North Carolina recently visiting his son and family, we all went on a picnic and hike at the Pink Beds Picnic and Recreation Area in the Pisgah National Forest not far from Brevard, NC. Pink Beds is named for the profusion of pink wildflowers that grow here including mountain laurel and rhododendron. While we were there, the Rhododendrons were in full bloom.

After a delicious picnic lunch provided by son Bob and family, we all took a hike in the woods. This is such a neat area --and the hike (at least as far as we went) was very pretty---and not strenuous at all. We only hiked about a mile I think----and had to turn around due to flooding along the path. Here are some pictures. Above is a picture of one of the Rhododendron blooms we saw along our path. Below are more!!!





The boys were prepared ---with their backpacks, water and hiking sticks.





See what a nice, wooded area we had for hiking.





You know me!!!!! I had to take alot of pictures of the Rhododendrons!!!!! ha.. BUT--they were so pretty!!!!





WOW----look how TALL he is!!!!! (These boys ---like all boys--love to climb!!!)





This is what we saw while hiking at Pink Beds. Now---do you know how it got its name????? ha





Some of us took the bridge across the creek. Others did some rock-hopping!!!!!





Both boys managed to get across the creek without falling in !!!!!





Here's a very happy father --standing next to his son and his grandson!!!!! How Special is that!

UPDATE: We had a nice trip to Hendersonville yesterday. We found George's parents (ages 89 and almost 97) in really good shape. Those two independent people continue to amaze us!!!! They are an inspiration!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs,

Happy Birthday to my eldest son. He turns 46 TODAY!!!!! (Yipes---am I THAT old????? ha)

32 comments:

T said...

As usual, lovely pictures.

Happy birthday to oldest son.....I know you are a proud mama!

Darla said...

It's a wonder one of the boys didn't accidently on purpose slip into the cool creek water...Love the flowers. Glad George's folks are doing well...Happy Birthday to your 'little' boy!!

SmilingSally said...

Funny, but this is the first time I've seen Rhododendrons growing wild.

I'm sure George enjoyed this special time with his family.

Nance said...

Betsy,
you have a nice family! Looks like everybody had a ball.
I love Rhody too, so far I only have one because deer love to munch on them. Didn't know they grow in the wild?
Belated happy b'day to your boy!

Hugs,
nance

Carol Murdock said...

Betsy you take such great pictures, I can smell the woods!!
xoxo

Jayne said...

What a great hiking place Betsy, and it certainly didn't hurt that you had all those pink blossoms surrounding you!

jlshall said...

Sounds like a fun trip. I love hiking as long as it's not too much uphill. Those are great shots - and yes, I can definitely see how the area got its name!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What a neat post, your first pink flower capture is one you can frame. The boys did well on the hike and I bet they had fun. Glad to hear George's parents are doing well.

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday eldest son. Oh to be 46 again.
Loved those hiking trails. Such a lovely place with such a cool name.

Vicki ~ FL said...

Beautiful flower in the first photo. Everyone looked like they were having a wonderful time. It looks like so much fun.

NCmountainwoman said...

Glad you had a nice day at Pink Beds. You probably already know that the area also has abundant mountain laurel and wild mountain azalea that bloom before the rhododendron. A federally protected (now relatively rare) member of the lily family called the Swamp Pink also grows in the Pink Beds. It's a great place to walk in all seasons.

Grammy said...

The pink Rhododendron is just so beautiful. I am so glad you were able to spend quality time with the family.

Cicero Sings said...

Aren't rhodos lovely?! In B.C. there are some wild rhododendron's down near the coast. One time we hiked the Rhododendron Trail. It was a lovely hike. We walked in on one side of the park, back packed in, stayed overnight, and walked out the other side of the park the next day. Someone had shuttled the cars around.

Lovely pictures of the outing and of "family". Really cute boys.

NatureStop said...

Happy birthday to the oldest son.Looks like you all had sucha great time.Thanks for sharing!

Have a great weekend!
Shantana

I Am Woody said...

What a beautiful place!! Glad you had such a wonderful trip!

Joy said...

What a beautiful place to hike and spend time. I know all those flowers made it more enjoyable for you. Glad you all are having fun with the grandkids.


Joy

Dorothy said...

Wonderful post! I wondered how that Pink Beds" name came about. Now I now. They are beautiful! Nice family pictures, too.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Wow!You get to hike in the most beautiful places.
Blessings,Ruth

Karin said...

OK, I'm totally jealous of all the fun places you get to enjoy. Amazing beauty in the parks - blossoms with heady perfume! I just close my eyes and enjoy it virtually. Love the rock hopping over the creek - my fav part!So glad for you!

Connie said...

Very lovely photos, Betsy. I'm glad to hear you found your in-laws to be doing so well. I'd have been taking pictures of the flowers too! ;D

~Daisy~

Cedar said...

I really like the shot of the little one crossing the brook on the rocks. Classic little boy!

Rose said...

George's parents really are amazing! I just marvel at them every time you tell about them.

Janie said...

It's great to see George with his son and grandson. that generational connection is so important.
Looks like a beautiful hike with great flowers.
Glad you found George's parents in good shape. They are amazing to remain so independent and healthy.

Tina said...

You sure are having a wonderful time visiting all the family..how nice is that!! What a neat summer you are having..love seeing all those smiles and fun times!

GeneaDiva said...

What a beautiful place to hike and visit with your family. Thanks for posting all the flowering Rhododendrons.

Wendy said...

Where does the time go? Happy birthday, eldest son!! What a nice time of year to have a birthday. Summer, sunshine and flowers!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us. Looks like you had lots of fun.

SquirrelQueen said...

Beautiful photos of the rhododendrons. I miss the mountain laurel and wild azalea.
Looks like the perfect day for a hike, nice and cool.
Happy B'day to your son.

Judy

Elaine said...

Betsy,Isn't that just the neatest name for a park...Pink Beds. Years ago when we lived in Tulsa we'd drive down to Muscogee every Spring to the Azalea Festival. Just oceans of pink...I bet this place would remind me of that. Happy Birthday to your eldest. It just so happens that today is my eldest son's birthday too....his
38th. I know how you feel. Where does the time go? I just can't be old enough to have a son that age! LOL

Diane said...

Seems like some kind of trick of nature for our kids to get old so fast and we don't! It probably doesn't seem like it from their end.

Loran said...

That looks like a beautiful place to visit, especially with energetic little boys! They add a spirit to the adventure, don't they?

Small City Scenes said...

`What a nice area 'Pink beds' is. Lovely hike and creek to ford is always fun.

My mother always said she never had a problem with her age but when her children got to middle age she had a problem with their ages. I know the feeling.

Good to hear the folks are very well--indeed. MB

PS> betsy thanks for following on a map--fun huh. MB

Mary said...

Looks like the young naturalists are having a great time....as well as the older folk :-)