Thursday, July 5, 2012

Grandfather Mountain


My girlfriend and I made our second visit to Grandfather Mountain during our Blue Ridge trip. The mountain is privately owned so there is an entry fee, but it's definitely worth visiting at least once. The main attraction, other than the magnificent view, is the mile high swinging bridge. Prior to our first visit, I was under the impression the bridge was literally a mile above the ground. That turned out not to be the case, of course. The elevation is a mile, but there's not that much space between the bridge and the ground. That said, the bridge is still high enough off the ground that some people won't cross it. If you have that whole "I don't like high places" virus, it can be a bit unsettling, especially if the wind is gusting. The reward, though, is a breathtaking view in all directions. I walked out on the rock formations as far as I could go and when I looked over the side of the mountain, there was a flock of vultures soaring below me. That put the elevation in perspective.















47 comments:

Carletta said...

Stunning shots as always Brian!
I've always wanted to go here but haven't made it yet. Your photos have certainly put it back on my where to go list.
I love that shot of the rocks with the little pools of water. Love the composition of that one.

Vores have said...

Incredibly beautiful pictures you show. Wishing you a good day :) Hanne Bente

Anonymous said...

Wow, beautiful views, that's not far from my cousins place...

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Swinging bridge- lovely mountain views- OH YEAH!

darlin said...

Brian you've found yet another paradise on this big ole planet, this area is stunning. You've captured it well, so good that I might even take a stroll across that bridge and I'm one of those people who has the virus you spoke of but sometimes I forget I do... until I look down that is! lol

Have a wonderful weekend, cheers.

Carole M. said...

...such a lovely place to visit; wonderful views from up there and I especially liked your finale pic!

Linda said...

Well, now to absolutely HAVE to make that trip when we drive the Parkway later this summer! What amazing shots! Each one was more breathtaking than the last one! I am glad to know that the bridge is not suspended a mile above the ground though...that was one of my reasons for not going! It is still high enough to make you cautious, but your photos definitely make me feel easier about the trip!

EG CameraGirl said...

Nice to see! I;m glad you walked over the bridge and took photos so I don't have too. :))

Michelle said...

I just posted about my visit to Grandfather Mountain, too...but your pictures are way better than mine; I'm *trying* not to be jealous of your blue skies!!! ;)

It is a wonderful place to visit...I'm glad you got to experience it.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

awesome views. wow, just breathtaking. i've been there in the past but not recently. what a great trip for the two of you. some thing to remember for sure. (:

Roan said...

Now that is a view! Love that second from the last shot best, but they are all awesome. A side note. My daughter's boyfriend at the time proposed to her on Grandfather Mountain. I can't think of a more romantic place to propose. However, I couldn't stand the dude, so was thrilled when she through his engagement ring out the window on LBJ Freeway in Dallas. ;)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Amazing pictures! I've always wanted to go to grandfather mountain.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Incredible I would do it for all that beauty. B

Anonymous said...

What splendid shots these are! Fantastic views.

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful photos and wonderful views on this mountain. The swinging bridge would hold me back I'm afraid but it looks very stable compared to some I've been on. There are 2 here in New Brunswick. One is in St. Martin's on the Fundy Parkway Trail. It is over a small river and quite stable. The other is over the Miramichi River and it does swing!! I should try my bravado on that one again as it's been 40 years since I was across it. I'm feeling dizzy thinking about it. lol Have a great weekend!

Rosemary Aubut said...

Oh I so don't like heights! However your photos are breathtaking! Did the Blue Ridge Parkway and had to get off. Maybe will try again after viewing your photos!

carol l mckenna said...

Wow! Brian ~ Absolutely wonderful photo shots ~ of a beautiful place ~ love the bridge and the view ~ thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

barbara l. hale said...

You are right about the breathtaking views from that bridge! Great photos! I would probably have no problem with going on it but I imagine it is a bit disconcerting when the wind is blowing. Thanks for the heads up on the URL change.

Anonymous said...

Ahhhh-mazing!!! I'd have to force myself to walk across the bridge, but I'd do it just cuz it scares me & I won't let it beat me... I may have to hold the railing... very tightly... w/ both hands... like death-grip tightly! LoL! =)

Linda said...

Awesome shots! I would be a little nervous walking on the bridge...hanging on with a tight grip.

TexWisGirl said...

great views. love the water pooling in the rocks in that one shot and all the pines and moss.

Liam said...

What beautiful scenery! great shots Brian! :)

Lisa said...

Breath Taking. Loved this blog.

Gillian Olson said...

Great pictures, beautiful scenery.

JOY @ http://joysjotsshots.blogspot.com/ said...

Beautiful scenery. enJOYed the pictures as always.

Maude Lynn said...

Breathtaking shots!

Tanya Breese said...

wow, truly breath taking views! i haven't been there yet but it's on the list!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Beautiful views, Brian. But I'm not sure I would want to cross that bridge, especially if the wind was blowing.

Leenie said...

Most certainly a place I'd love to visit. I love how the big stone bones of the mountain show through and how the mist in the air turns the distance to a blue haze. Fun to travel through your photos.

The altitude at that angle looks precarious. But five thousand feet is flatland here.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos and views from atop GM, Brian.
Its nice to see Grandfather Mountain again after so many moons.

renae said...

Your eye! your eye is! your eye is precise! lovelovelove you stuff!!!
Just joined you!

Debbie said...

talk about views, breathtaking!!

i liked your shadow, with the hat, at the 1 mile mark!!

Mary said...

This is a great post..your photography is superb. My sis, who joined you just ahead of me, Renae and I were looking and talking by phone...amazed and thrilled at your work. I think I joined your other site, in Norwegian. That's me too.

Candy C. said...

Absolutely stunning pictures!! The pools of water on the rock was one of my favorites too!! :)

Nancy said...

I actually think I could cross that one -- it's looks sturdy enough. :)

What a beautiful place to visit -- loving the wide expanse of forest. Being from Nebraska, that's just amazing to me.

Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week. xo

Lindsjö taxar said...

Hi Brian! What lovely pictures you show from your trip. Awsome!!! I love the countryside and would go there directly.
If I had the opprotunity now I would leave job and go to the US and hike around the lovely parts I seen through this media...thanks for sharing.

Carole said...

I've never considered myself particularly afraid of heights, but I'm not sure I could get myself across that bridge. lol

Lmkazmierczak said...

Fantastic photos♫ Interesting about Grandfather Mountain♪

Jeannelle said...

Thank you for posting this great scenery!

Tammy said...

Amazing scenery, just gorgeous! The bridge looks like a fun, little adventure!

Gail Dixon said...

Gorgeous vistas, Brian! I'm afraid I have the "fear of heights virus" so I wouldn't fare well on Grandfather Mountain. I'll just enjoy your views. :)

MTWaggin said...

Super views all around and I like that you shared the bridge. Cool! I really love the photo of the rocks with the pools of water (I know I'm weird in that way). Looks like a great place to visit...so why is it called Grandfather Mountain? (or do I have to google it)

Crack You Whip said...

Great shots!

Dan said...

Beautiful series!

Is this your playground? :)

Deb said...

What a beautiful place...I'm not big on heights ... Nice I get to see them from your view

Ida said...

These were absolutely stunning shots and some totally gorgeous scenery. I loved them all.

Liz said...

Amazing shots Brian, as always! What a view!! Breathtaking.