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...

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Sliding Rock, NC


On July 10, George and I met his son, grandson, son's girlfriend and her son in North Carolina for a couple of days of fun. George's son (Bob) and family live in Florida --but were vacationing at a condo at Mountain Air (near Burnsville, NC) owned by Melissa's parents. They invited us to come and visit them while they were there.


The first day we had a picnic at PINK BEDS. After lunch and a hike, we drove south to let the kids play at Sliding Rock. The Sliding Rock area is literally a cascade of water flowing over some huge rocks. It's one of the most popular places for tourists and locals in the summertime, as evidenced by the number of people there. Above is a picture of Sliding Rock --and below are more of the kids and Bob sliding down that rock!!!!









First, Bob and the 2 boys had to stand in line in order to get in that COLD water!!!!!









OH---that water IS cold. AND---we have to sit down in it!!!! Yipes!









Here we go!!!!! The nine-year old seems to love it.... Daddy is holding his son (age 5).









Uh-Oh.... Dad and son got separated!!!!!!









In the water, Little Guy looks like he's ready to get out of there!!!! ha









Okay----let's do it all again.... Little Guy is still not sure of all of this!!!! ha









This time, Dad and son stayed together!!!!!









Although I thoroughly enjoyed watching the 'sliders'---I also enjoyed seeing the blooming Rhododendrons all around the area. Click on these last three pictures to get a better view of the Rhododendrons.











Standing on the little bridge, I took this picture of the creek --with Rhododendrons on both sides. Gorgeous!!!!!









One more picture of the creek and the Rhododendron; We just happened to get there at the perfect time to see all of the blooms.


If you have kids or grandkids and are in the mountains of North Carolina in summer, be sure to take them to Sliding Rock. They will love it ---and even some brave adults (even older ones) enjoyed it also!!!!! Me????? I prefer to take the pictures!!!! ha ha


Hugs,

40 comments:

Michele said...

Oh how fun that must be indeed! On a hot day, how refreshing. I just love that 4th picture as he's sliding down; the awesome expression on his face... how great is that?!!!??

Yes the Rhododendrons are beautiful... they look super and extremely happy to be in that environment!

Hugs♥

Snap said...

Wow, Betsy. I didn't see you sliding!?!!!! I wouldn't be, but I'd be watching the fun. Wonderful pictures of the family and the scenery. Love the Rhododendron.

Arkansas Patti said...

Ah ha, the old, "someone has to take the pictures" cop out. Looked like fun, you should have taken a ride.
Beautiful place but then NC seldom disappoints.

Nina said...

So much FUN you had!!! Nature gives us all kinds of excitement, beauty and yes FUN!. I'm glad you had a wonderful visit. Love and Light, Nina P.

SmilingSally said...

I'd prefer to stay on this side of the camera too.

Randy said...

Oh those were just precious photos! There's noting more beautiful than blooming rhodies cascading over a stream.--Randy

Darla said...

The photos of the guys scream FUN!

Peggy said...

I spent many a summer day at sliding rock with my friends. That was our hang out way back in my younger days. LOL The water is suppose to 36F year round. Thats why everyone looks so cold and blue after sliding down and hitting the water at the bottom. Its so cold it takes your breath away. Thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane.

NCmountainwoman said...

Oh that water is COLD!!! I know my heart would stop if I got in it.

Susie said...

I'm so envious of how you got to see all of this beauty Betsy. Looks like everyone had a wonderful time. That does look like fun!

Diane AZ said...

Woohoo, my boys would love to slide down that rock! Looks like everyone had a fun time. Always amazing to see Rhododendrons blooming in the wild, just gorgeous!

amelia said...

Oh what great fun!!! I wouldn't do it but I know my kids and their kids would! I'd be like you, taking pictures and looking at the flowers!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: That cold water had to shock the system on a hot day. That looks like a great time for the young.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I did it when I was a kid...now? I would be on the bridge with you taking pictures all nice and DRY!!!
I bet they loved this...so much fun!

Small City Scenes said...

What a beautiful area. I would go there for sure and I would be the picture taker too.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Beautiful place! Glad the kids, and big kid, had a good time in the cold water! Great photos, Betsy. Love the rhodies.

Hope you're getting some of this lovely rain we're having this morning. Almost 3/4" so far. Nice!

Happy Day to you!

DeniseinVA said...

That looks like such a lot of fun. You've captured all of those smiling faces beautifully. Great series of photos.

Mandy said...

Oh, that water just LOOKS cold! I bet that was a blast!

Janie said...

Sliding over the rocks looks like fun, even if it is a little cold in the water.
The rhododendrons are beautiful, too.

Dorothy said...

Well, I'm surprised that you and George didn't slide on the rocks!!! When we were there it was November and nobody was sliding.

Rose said...

I would probably break my neck...so I will play photographer with you!

Jen said...

I'd be the camera guy too. :D

EG CameraGirl said...

Perfect weekend. They play in the cold water and you take photos. LOL Bonus, you get to see rhodos too!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Betsy,
Sounds like you had a lot of fun. The water photos were really nice. I live in western North Carolina in Clay County. We have a lot of folks who camp out here and enjoy boating and fishing on Lake Chatuge. Thank you for visiting my blog.

Anonymous said...

Now THAT looks like A WHOLE LOTA FUN! Except, I'd use a tube to slide on instead of my butt! hehehe

Together We Save said...

Looks like you had lots for fun. I loved North Carolina when we were able to visit once.

Thanks for the info on the sale at Kroger. I will stopping by there tomorrow.

troutbirder said...

There is something really appealing to watch the kids do this as opposed to those hokey waterparks.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I'm wirth you,I would rather be taking the pictures,afterall, someone has to.:)The area looks like a great vacation spot.
Blessings,Ruth

penny said...

That looks like so much fun. I would love to try sliding down those rocks. I wonder if I have enough padding :)
I enjoyed the beautiful Rhododendron in bloom, while walking through the woods with my Mother... Awww, sweet memories :)

Anonymous said...

That looks like fun and such a beautiful place for picture taking. Your photos look like postcards - just perfect!

Diane said...

Oh, Betsy, this looks like so much fun. It would be fun to be a kid and be there in that cool water.

SquirrelQueen said...

Great photos Betsy. Sliding Rock is the best water slide I've ever been on. My first time was with my dad and was was about the same age your nine year old grandson.

The Rhododendrons are beautiful. Everything looks so cool, it's in the high nineties here at the moment.

Adrienne Zwart said...

This looks like a wonderful place to visit, Betsy. I'm so glad you had a nice vacation with your family. Great photos!

Karin said...

Oh, just to put my hot tootsies in that cold water would be wonderful today, but I don't think I'd slide even though I have the protective layer others don't have. Loved all your roses too - my fav was the pure white one!! Oh, daddy blue was gorgeous!

Lola said...

We were there yrs. ago. Loved watching the people slide down. We must have watched for hrs. I sure miss going to the mtns.

Connie said...

What a fun place to visit and a beautiful place to go for a family vacation.

Cicero Sings said...

That looks like one fun slide ... even if the water is a little cold ... that is part of the thrill.

Robert said...

Betsy if you have been to sliding rock then you have to go just down the road a bit and see Looking Glass Falls.

We are so enjoying your web site!

Also, Google Mingo Falls I guarantee you will Love the falls/ If you and George can make it up the 200 plus steps.


Socco falls is another (we too are collectors of waterfalls)

We live at the top of a mountain in Cosby we look at Greenbrier every morning from our living room.

If you are in the area we would love to meet you and George some place.

We saw Serenity falls yesterday after you beautiful write up.

Thanks for all that you do on this website.

Robert said...

Betsy,

If you have been to sliding rock you must go down the road a bit and see Looking Glass Falls.

Also Google Mingo Falls you will Love it. I hope you and George can make the 200 steps up as it is very pretty.

Socco fall is another on our list.
We too are collectors.

We live at the top of a mountain near cosby and look at Greenbrier out our living room window everyday.

So if you are going to be in the area we would love to meet you and George somewhere.

We too love taking pics and collecting waterfalls.

Yesterday we went to see Serenity after your beautiful write up on this web site.
Thank you for all that you do.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Robert, Thanks for your comment. Sounds like we have alot in common. Please send me your email --and we can compare waterfalls... Mine is betsyadams@mac.com...

Betsy