Birthday Trip to Boone, NC

I love seeing new towns, so for my birthday this year I knew we had to get away and enjoy some time in a mountain town. I've heard people talk about Boone plenty before, but neither of us had been, so we decided to try it out! We left on Friday and stopped at Ikea on the way, which was so awesome. After we got to Boone, we ate dinner at this awesome diner. We don't have any diners like this in SC, so I was really excited! 

We spent the next two days shopping around the small downtown area and doing some sightseeing. We went to Grandfather Mountain, which was super cool and pretty... but extremely pricey. I'm glad we got to go, but I don't think I'll ever be going back! We also went to Linville Gorge and walked about a mile to see Linville Falls. I love being outdoors and wish we could have done more hiking, but being pregnant has really taken its toll on me! I get out of breath so easily.

It really was a great, relaxing weekend. Sometimes you just need to take a break from being at home and work all the time, and we were way overdue! Also, I had to include our classy birthday celebration drinks. ;)

Skytop Apple Orchard

Last weekend, Corey and I took a day trip up to North Carolina to visit an apple orchard. I've been wanting to go to an apple orchard for years, so we finally got to go! Is it just me or does everyone grab their camera at the first sight of the mountains? It never does the view justice! (And I always end up deleting most of the pictures.) We both truly love being in the mountains, and hope to live there someday. It's so peaceful and relaxing, and it always brings us closer together.

I read on the website, which I stalked religiously for a week, that weekends were really busy. Boy, they were right! The second we parked, it felt like we were at a zoo. Luckily, once we got our basket and started off on the path, it cleared out. There were seriously apples all over the place! It was amazing.

Dreams do come true.

After filling our basket with different kinds of apples and climbing treacherous hills, we took a path to the back of the orchard. The road was flat which was a relief, since my pregnant body is having a rather alarming lack of energy lately! I was so glad I brought a cardigan since it was a little chilly, and because I actually had my dress unzipped the whole time since I'm busting out of all my old clothes.

The back of the orchard was just as beautiful, with a big pond backed by big trees with changing colors. The place was awesome, and I was seriously so happy to be there! Once we circled back to the front, there was a petting zoo with goats and sheep you could feed.

After we were done, we went to the market to get some apple butter, hot cider (for me) and a cider slushy (for him), and a dozen of their famous apple cider donuts! So, so good. On the way home, I got a little lost admiring the view and missed our turn. That led us to some awesome country back roads and a cute little antique shop, where I scored some Pyrex and a set of vintage canisters. 

It was a wonderful weekend! Have you ever been to an apple orchard? I'd love to hear about it!