Western North Carolina is rich with pristine beauty. The attractions are almost too many to count. Nestled at the feet of the Pisgah National Forest is the quaint little town of Brevard. Best known for its magical waterfalls, Brevard attracts thousands of visitors each year. Fisherman, adventurers and sightseers are all attracted to the natural beauty this area offers.
A few weeks back I joined some friends and their children for an afternoon of waterfall fun! We rendezvoused at the intersection of highway 64 and 276. After piling into one vehicle we headed up the mountain on Hwy 276. A short 5.5 mile drive brought us to our first stop, Looking Glass Falls. With its close proximity to the road, Looking Glass Falls is a popular tourist attraction. Thirty feet wide, sixty feet tall and comprised of solid granite, the falls are nothing less than spectacular. In winter, the falls freeze and when the sun reflects off them they resemble a mirror…hence the name, Looking Glass.
Being late in the season, the crowds were about medium. We took the stairs down to the base of the falls, but the view from the road is equally impressive. I normally shy away from such “touristy” places, but this wonder of nature was worth the visit. As I sat quietly next to the stream, I couldn’t help but ponder how the Native Americans and early settlers felt about this magic place.
The kids put on their swimsuits and joined numerous other children splashing in the shallows.
We played, took pictures and soaked it all in. After basking in the beauty and sun for an hour or so we drove another 2.1 miles up the mountain to Sliding Rock Recreation area.
Sliding Rock’s claim to fame is an impressive 150’ natural waterslide which delivers adventurous souls into a deep pool of cold, clear mountain water. An estimated 11,000 gallons per minute provide the momentum. The area has two observation decks and a lifeguard is on duty for most of the day. Bathrooms are available, on site, to change into your swimsuits and such. Children and adults of all ages patiently await their turn to glide down the smooth rock face and plummet into the watery abyss.
I was instructed to bring a bathing suit but, as it turned out, I was the only adult who actually brought one. After watching all the fun for a few minutes I hurried to the bathroom to change. I wasn’t about to let the kids have all the fun. I couldn’t resist…I had to go. After all, I thought, I hadn’t visited my chiropractor in a while :) Ahhh…the realities of getting older. You know what I mean…
On my first slide I somehow managed to spin around on my back and entered the water backwards. A bit untraditional, but entertaining, so I was told (The Russian judge only gave me a 3.4:) The water was verrrrrry cold to say the least, but surprisingly my body’s internal furnace kicked in and, upon exiting, I warmed up pretty quickly. My friends’ teenage son, Gunnar decided to join me on my second and final run, though he had to be bribed with the promise of an ice cream sundae. Kids these days:)
Time went by quickly, too quickly as it always seems to do. We stopped for a picnic on the way down the mountain and ended our adventure with, of course, ice cream. All in all it was a great day! I can’t wait to go back.
Brevard is just a short drive away and ideal for that weekend getaway. Fall is the perfect time to enjoy the mountains. The leaves are starting to turn and there are no mosquitoes! Plan your weekend adventure today, have fun and “Make Good Memories.” Isn’t that what life’s all about?
Richard lives in Tryon and teaches outdoor programs at Earth School. He is a self-trained Naturalist and a local fishing and nature guide. For info about his programs visit www.LoveTheEarth.com.
