Weekend escape to western North Carolina mountains

Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2015 00:55:31 -0400
From: “
Subject: weekend escape

I don’t get away much but this past weekend we went to see Tristan at a IBP weight lifting competition in Yadkinville . It was so close to the mountains I couldn’t resist wandering a bit since it was the beginning of peak color at Grandfather mountain and other higher elevations . Saturday was misting to rain  on the way to Tristan’s event after we picked up Chelsie at Greensboro .  He held his records in the 198+ lb weight class for 20 to 23 year olds  but his weight was on the borderline so he bumped up to the 220 pound class . He just went to compete and see how he would do in a higher weight class .  His first three attempts at squats in the new weight class tied then broke the national IBP record  with his last lift of 500 lbs . His second lifts were for bench press . He tied the national IBP record at 350 lbs  . His last lifts were for the dead lift .  The national IBP record for the dead lift in the 220 lb weight class was 575 lbs until Tristan lifted 585 lbs breaking that record . He attempted a 600 lb dead lift and was able to successfully lift it but it wasn’t a clean lift so it didn’t count . He had already broken the record but wanted to see if he could do a flat 600 pound lift . He did and feels he can pull off a clean lift next time and set the record at 600 lbs . He took first place while breaking two national records and tieing one .

I left a proud pappy and we proceeded to go up to the parkway and head south to Linville . The trees were beautiful even in the rain but the clouds settled over the parkway near Linville so we left the parkway to find a room for the night in Pineola . After settling in we went to the Peddling Pig in Fosco . If you ever go to Boone , Banner Elk or Blowing Rock your only minutes from the Peddling Pig . We like it because the food is delicious with nice sized portions and great service . I got baby back ribs that literally fell of the bone while Beth tried the BBQ. It was a nice end to a long day . Sunday we got up and checked out to find clearing skies with trees in  vivid reds , oranges and yellows along the parkway back to Linville Falls .

Beth managed to snap over 350 pictures between Linville Falls and Julian Price Lake before we left the parkway to come back home .It was a nice fairly inexpensive weekend get away we desperately needed . Even though I had a nasty head cold the mountain air helped me breath easier  and feel much better.   Grandfather Mountain is at full peak color at its higher elevations with the lower elevations just starting to turn . If your planning a sight seeing trip to see the fall foliage the next two weeks are the time to go . There are several festivals going on this week and next in Boone and surrounding areas down to Little Switzerland to entertain just about everyone .  Take a weekend escape  , enjoy yourself , life is short 🙂

Goodnite Mark