Hiking North Carolina: Stone Mountain

We found our hike, Stone Mountain, using the North Carolina State Parks- Pocket Ranger App. It’s free to download and has hiking trails, pictures, and other information about the parks. Stone Mountain is about an hour and a half from Hickory and an hour from Boone. We did the loop trail and then added a bit more to see the Homestead and the waterfalls making the total hike a little over seven miles. Josh and I went with friends on an overcast day, and it ended up being perfect weather. I couldn’t imagine doing this hike in the dead heat of summer being as it was one of the more strenuous hikes we have done. Not because the trail was particularly treacherous, but there were so.many.stairs.

Things we take in our hiking backpack:

At least two waters for each of us, after getting dehydrated during our last trek, I make sure we over pack the water.

Bug Spray

Sweatshirts

Napkins

Small Snacks

Our phones, on airplane mode so the battery doesn’t get eaten up.

Things we should pack but haven’t:

Deodorant

Extra clothes

Our trip by the numbers:

4 water bottles

7 Miles

301 Steps after the waterfall

1 snake (not seen by me)

5 babies being carried (fit parents!)

Check out more about Stone Mountain here. I also love to check out social media pictures of the places we are hiking before we go in case we miss anything good. I looked up #stonemountainnc on Instagram and found some great pictures.

Do you use social media to enhance your trip? Or do you ditch the phones and experience it sans technology?

XO, LKC

You can read more about Lauren's adventures and pieces of her perspective of living among the North Carolina mountains here .

Coastal living style: fashion inspiration

Michelle of Pink Champagne is in Paris as we speak, after relocating back to the northeast...and somewhere in between, she was gracious enough to share these pictures from her time spent in South Carolina.  She also owns a shop called Pink Bubbly Shop , where she draws inspiration from her favorite spots around the world.  You can read more about Michelle and her shop here .

Hiking: Catawba Falls, North Carolina

One of mine and my husband's favorite things to do in North Carolina is hike. Not only is it a cheap date (usually free unless there are park fees) but it is a great secret workout. And one of our favorite places to hike is Catawba Falls, located about a half an hour from Asheville in Old Fort (or Old Fart, as my husband likes to call it).

The hike itself is fairly easy (to the lower falls), meandering through streams and forests at about a mile and a half long. There are a couple of areas where you have to hop across rocks to make it to the other side and you may end up with a soggy shoe with misstep.



The waterfall is about 100 feet tall and can best be viewed at the lower fall area. This is also a great place to dip your feet in and have a picnic.
If you choose to go up further, the views aren’t as good, but the bragging rights are. My husband, friends and father hiked up until the rope ladder to get up even further. (I chose to stay grounded at the lower falls). This is definitely more dangerous and I would recommend that only serious hikers venture up that far, it would not be something I would want to do with young children.



We took our dog, Monkey with us and he REALLY enjoyed it, although there were some parts that he struggled a bit and had to be coaxed into jumping (note the picture, he was panicked here, but loved the rest of it). If you are going to go, make sure you bring water! Most of the the trail is shaded by trees, but we still lathered on the spf. There is a bathroom and a trash area at the beginning of the trail, but nowhere else. Also parking has been closed for over a year, so you will have to park on a side road. But the trail is open!

Our trip by the numbers:
1 soggy shoe
3 streams crossed
16 other hikers
1 baby snake
38 pictures taken

 Do you like hiking? Where is your favorite place to go?

You can check out more of Lauren's take on life in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina here.

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Out and About: Picture of the week

Shelton Vineyards, Dobson, North Carolina

There are several wineries in Yadkin Valley, North Carolina.  It's nestled between Winston-Salem and Hickory and the drive is gorgeous!

Shortly after our engagement, we picked out our honeymoon wine at Shelton Vineyards.  We plan to go back for our 4 year anniversary in February.  We even ended up with a signed bottle of wine from the owner of the vineyard...that was a day for the books my friends!

You can read more about Yadkin Valley here .

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

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Out and About: Picture of the week

Downtown Charleston, South Carolina

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

Whether you are a local of the Carolinas or just passing through, we would love to share your perspective from the eyes of your camera lens!

Out and about: Picture of the week series

Folly Beach Pier (South Carolina)

We are launching a new series every Wednesday: simply submit your beautiful photos from your favorite spots within North Carolina and South Carolina to:
 admin@sincerelycarolinas.com

Whether you are a local of the Carolinas or just passing through, we would love to share your perspective from the eyes of your camera lens!