The Blue Ridge Mountains
I would never have imagined that one of my children would live in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the heart of Appalachia. Sugar Grove, North Carolina is a beautiful and scenic place.
Andrew was accepted to three universities for graduate school and it was a hard decision for him to make. I think his heart was at Appalachian State from the first time he looked at their website. Leigh worked hard to find them a place to live ( a big challenge with a Boxer and a Siberian Husky). They settled on a cabin on near the top of a mountain in Sugar Grove.
The Driveway
The Cabin
The university is in Boone about 20 minutes away. The views from the deck are spectacular.
The View
We had a great time driving around to see the area. On Saturday we went to blowing rock and Andrew and Kristina were thrilled that I gave them each a quarter so they could look around. It’s not something they got to do often as kids.
Rick and Leigh on Blowing Rock
Checking Out the View
Is that Grandfather Mountain?
We also spent time in downtown Boone visiting the shops and eating some great food. My favorite store was Mass General Store.
What guys do while we shop.
Leigh
Boone even has a town Troubadour
Ater we walked around town we went to see the university. The campus is beautiful. One thing to note about Boone is that it is very green. Yes, the trees and grass are green but I am talking about “Save the Planet Green” It has been an easy idea for them to get used to. The load the trash up and take it down the mountain, they have started reclyling and Leigh keeps the reusable grocery bags in her car.
The Appalachian State campus is beautiful. We walked around and visited the bookstore to stock up on Mountaineer spirit wear for Kristina and the grandchildren.
Cute Hat Lulee
Campus
Our final stop was at Andrew’s office. As part of his graduate program he has an assistantship. His official title is Graduate Assistant Residence Hall Association, Housing and Residence Life.
Drewby at Work
We had a marvelous time in North Carolina. We loved being with some of our favorite “humans” and our favorite granddogs, Chaco and his new little sister Emma.
Emma and Chaco
We ate and laughed and talked and shopped and talked and walked and talked. We watched a good movie and a brainless but funny movie. We loved being there and look forward to returning to our “mountain retreat.”
The Road up the Mountain
Beautiful area! I love the sunflower, the rock Rick is on, the house is amazing, I saw it on their site. Very, very different! I would love to see pictures of the inside.
I am sure you had a great time.
ps…the guys sitting on the bench is exactly where Dan would have been!
The scenery is amazing!!!
Looks like you guys had a lot of fun…to make it fair…you owe me a quarter…:)
North Carolina was so so fun. We did have a good time, didn’t we?! I miss you lots and lots…and that hat picture is the best one you had of me from that trip?! I have one of me in the hat that is cuter, that one my eyes are like hiding…
Georgous place and darling grandkids! So fun to see your family and what is going on.