French Broad 

Muerte! on the corner of a switchback on the way to Lover's Leap 

Looking up through the tress on the trail to Lover's Leap.  

Moss on the trail to Lover's Leap. 

What do you think? A class III-IV?  

That's me, up a creek without a paddle. (Groan---couldn't resist.) 

Rose in bloom 

Cade brought a friend with him down the moutain. We'll call him Little Cade. 

Up the creek from a footbridge 

Where the creek meets the French Broad, from a foot bridge 

A closeup of the creek feeding into the French Broad.

Lover's Leap, taken from below 

Another foliage picture 

Heart leaves 

Purple flowers 

Cade at the bottom of Lover's Leap. 

At the bottom of Lover's Leap. No, we didn't jump! 

A rocky beach just below Lover's Leap on the French Broad greeted us with lots of little rock formations of unnatural balancing acts.  

Everyone's doing it. 

Cade's rock formation 

Moutain Magnolia Inn and Restaurant

Mountain Magnolia is a classy B&B, a restored home full of antiques and a restaurant with formal dining served in a casual atmosphere. Cade and I loved eating there, but we were glad we stayed at our own B&B, which just had a different feel. I think if you like a minimalist decor with a restored loft or industrial space feel, Bright Leaf Junction is for you. But if you prefer a feels-like-home-only-much-more-expensive feel, then Mountain Magnolia is for you. Also, Bright Leaf is right in town, and Mountain Magnolia is a short walk from town. The walk is beautiful, but Cade and I enjoyed being able to step across the street and into our own hotel each night.


The view when walking up from the Old Red Bridge towards Mt. Magnolia Inn.

The footpath towards Mt. Magnolia Inn. 

The front yard, center, view of a fountain surrounded by a pathway of evergreens.  

The expansive front lawn of the Mt. Magnolia Inn. They have weddings on the side lawn beneath a beautiful old tree. Apparantly, the entire inn will be reserved for the wedding party and guests.  

The foyer ceiling