Arrived Asheville, NC yesterday and took a drive downtown.  We're only here for a couple of days so we went to Black Mountain today.  It's another quaint mountain town with lots of artsy shops and a great lunch at The Veranda Cafe.

Welcome to Asheville

A mobile bar in downtown Asheville
If you want a drink, you have to help pedal

Black Mountain, NC

The Veranda Cafe, Black Mountain

Lunch with Judy and Steve Smith
 at Boondocks, Blairsville, GA

We met Judy and Steve Smith today for lunch then went out to their lovely home. Steve and I worked together for many years at GBA in NC, and they are now happily retired in Hiawassee, GA.  Their home is surrounded by mountains and cool breezes. It was great spending time with old friends. We then went to Helen, GA which is a Bavarian town.  It looks like you are in Germany as all of the buildings are built in a Bavarian style.  There were lots of nice shops to go into, and we couldn't pass up going to a German restaurant for dinner.  It was delicious!

Judy and Steve's home

Meeting their dog

We came home with fresh vegetables from Judy and Steve's garden.
Thank you!

Helen, GA
Bavarian Village

 

Watching tubing down the river

Yesterday was another great day of golf at The Ridges, Hayesville, NC, with more breathtaking views of the mountains and beautiful homes overlooking the course. Nick had an 'Eagle' on this course so it's one he'll always remember.  There is even good fishing right on the course.

The Ridges Clubhouse

A young fellow enjoying the fishing

Beautiful homes surround this course

Unbelievable settings

Sightseeing today through winding mountain roads -Hayesville, NC, Franklin, NC, Highlands, NC stopping at a beautiful waterfall and having lunch outside at a lovely inn. What a delight to be outside on such a pretty day and shopping in Highlands.

Waterfall on way to Highlands, NC

 

Underneath the falls

 

 

Looking down Main St of Highlands,NC

Great day to have lunch outside

Overlook

Arrived River Bend, Hiawassee, GA yesterday so we were ready to play golf in these much cooler temperatures. We played at Butternut Creek, and it was unlike any course we'd ever seen in FL with many high and low elevations.  It was a lot of fun and a true challenge because it was so different than what we are used to. 

River Bend Entrance

Butternut Creek Golf Course, Hiawassee, GA

Beautiful mountain scenery 

Driving down from high up

Driving up a hill 

Just beautiful all the way around the course

Nick's former cabin in Blairsville, GA

Another view of cabin