Valle Crucis

Thursday ranked as my favorite day from our trip to the mountains. It was the type of day where nothing seemed out of place, not even having a member of your favorite Bluegrass band wander by at the park and take a photo with your son, who shares his first name. 

Graham Sharp of the Steep Canyon Rangers was one of the people who came to mind when we chose Graham's first name. Moonlight Graham was the other. You can probably match each  association with the appropriate parent pretty easily.

Our paths crossed at the gorgeous Valle Crucis Community Park, where we used the playground equipment and miniature houses, played whiffle ball, and tossed our new toy glider. (To clarify, Graham Sharp only took the photo with us. He didn't participate in the other activities.) 

Our Graham also made the joyful discovery of another wooden bear. He called this one Leega. (For context, see our previous post about Leeva.)

I enjoyed the serenity of the park, and the pleasure of observing other families at various stages of life at play, while rocking Aubrey to sleep during Erica and Graham's Cheerwine run to Mast General Store.

Speaking of which, our motivation for visiting Valle Crucis was to see the original Mast General Store. I love the place, which we've visited in Asheville and Boone. Both locations are wonderful; however, the original store possesses a unique charm. The ice cream shop in the parking lot added a delicious touch. 

Graham was proud of himself for navigating the rocks alongside a nearby creek. I was simply relieved that he didn't fall in, especially since it would have happened on my watch. I have my own history of falling into water - a pond in my case. This was one instance where I was happy that the saying "Like father, like son" didn't apply.