Linville Falls & Gorge, Linville Viaduct, Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock, NC

We are very fortunate to live in a really great area that’s close to the Appalachian mountains. Since my brother-in-law was in town visiting we headed up to enjoy some hiking and fun family time.

 

We first stopped in our favorite little mountain town, Blowing Rock, NC and ate at our go-to restaurant, Six Pence Pub. They have the best nachos just in case you ever venture up this way 😉

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My big guy loves their wings!

And hot chocolate…this is a must when it’s snowy out up here!

Once we finished our lunch and hot chocolates 🙂 we headed down the Blue Ridge Parkway to Linville Falls. The drive was gorgeous! Check out the beautiful colors!

The Linville Viaduct:

 

We stopped at the Moses Cone House which is just absolutely gorgeous! I love love love old houses! On the outdoor porch there is always a crafter there demonstrating their unique art skills – this trip there was an older women who made these beautiful landscape pictures using yarn in a weaving fashion. So neat! The kids always enjoy getting to watch the crafters!

Inside the house there are a bunch of crafts and goodies for sale.

The view from the from porch is stunning!

There are several trails that you can walk or hike right from the Cone house, even horse trails! You will see many riders who bring their horses up to ride the trails!

 

The NPS had a ranger out teaching visitors about some of the native owls.

We then drove on the Parkway a few more miles to hike the Linville Falls trail. We’ve been here several times before but have actually never hiked the falls trails!

Source: Waterfallshiker

I use a Boba to help carry kids when they don’t want to/can’t hike anymore. I love it! You can carry it on the back or the front…which is great for little babies or nursing babies. 🙂 So many of my friends have bought these because of how much I truly love mine!

We then hiked down to the gorge to be at the base of the waterfall. This part of the hike was actually more difficult…it wasn’t necessarily strenuous but the footing was really difficult. The trail is a pretty steep decline and is full of big rocks and roots. However, my little 2 year old was determined to hike the entire thing…and he did!!

 

Once you get down to the gorge you are big huge boulders away from the waterfall…so…we did what all logical people do and hiked across them!

Little man was carried over this part!

In case you’re looking for a GREAT child carrier this is what we have…we bought it almost 7 years ago when our oldest was just a baby and it has been everywhere! …in fact, Lover Boy even carried her in the pack this hike! It’s rated for 50lbs!

 

 

 

Walking high ledges above the water…good thing Daddy has a hand on our little daredevil! 😉

This is where they were walking…YIKES!!!

While I was standing back taking pictures, I was also chatting with an older couple who was commenting on how brave our kids were. I think we are going to have some rock climbers in our future!

And this is clearly where our kids get their daredevil personalities from!….OIY!

 

The temperature really dropped down here…aka it was cold!! 

After spending a long time down in the gorge we headed back before it got dark.

Back at the trailhead and NPS station there is a footbridge that crosses a creek. I always love the trees that line the creek here in October!

My goofy goofy girl having fun with her daddy and uncle!

Such a fun little day trip in one of our “happy places!”

Where are you traveling to this fall?!?