brevard, nc: flying by the seat of our pants

Bry and I escaped to the picturesque smokey mountains last week for some much needed r&r. We went up there with little to no plans and flew by the seat of our pants. By doing so, we created the most simplistic and relaxing get-away... just Bryan, Cali and I... exploring nature, taking in the scenery and eating delicious foods.

My favorite way to eat out is in an old house or on its front porch. See here and here. Located in an old family home located on Main St. in Brevard, the Hobnob offers fine dining in a quiant atmosphere... and is pet friendly. Our meal was divine -- Bryan compared it, from start to finish, to K Pauls in New Orleans, and I think he's right -- this little restaurant is one of the best that North Carolina has to offer!

It had been raining that day, but just as dinner was coming to an end the rain stopped and provided us some time to stroll up and down Main St. While walking Bryan noticed an ad for homes for sale... on a lake. It looked beautiful, so we decided to hop in the car and drive to the address given, which happened to be only 3 miles down the road. Deer Lake, what a gem!

That is not fog... those are clouds... We were in awe!

 There were perfectly manicured lawns surrounding the lake, so we let Cali off the leash to run from Bryan to me and back - she was sopping wet and in pure heaven!

 The next morning we headed into Hendersonville for lunch. We had been here 4 years ago and after just 7 months of dating, so this little town was a trip down memory lane of sorts. The below fried green tomatoes and tuna & olive tapenade sandwich were to. die. for.

 After lunch we decided to take a drive. We turned off the "use highways/interstates" portion of our gps, which ensured we stay on winding country roads. Driving along the beautiful mountainside we encountered apple orchard after apple orchard.

 Driving further we came across a dead end. Ha! But this dead end was so beautiful that we had to stop for a little walk with Calz.

Continuing through the mountains, we came to one of our favorite towns, Chimney Rock. Just like Bry and I had been Hendersonville 4 years ago, we also spent time in Chimney Rock then. It is actually the place where I told Bryan I loved him for the very first time -- It was a hot and humid July afternoon in 2008... we had just gone on a hike to a waterfall and come back to town... next thing you knew we were swimming in the river and sitting on a rock as the water rushed passed us... that's when I said it. (he said it first... months prior). Needless to say, this is a special place for us and was so fun to bring Cali to!

 Best latte of your life is through that door!

After Chimney Rock, we continued our drive a few miles further to Lake Lure - where Dirty dancing was filmed.

Refreshed doesn't even begin to explain it...