Monday, October 26, 2026

We got to sleep in a little this morning, and I needed it. After getting up and packing, we headed to Winston-Salem to meet our friends for lunch at Mozelle’s. Then it was on to Blowing Rock. Part of the drive was along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We weren’t in a hurry and enjoyed making a few stops along the way.   We arrived in Blowing Rock mid afternoon and we checked into Blowing Rock Manor.

I had splurged on the hotel, and the room was very nice. There was also a common area stocked with water and snacks. The arrival experience, however, was a little different from what I’m used to.

That morning, I received a text with codes to enter the lobby and our room, with room access starting at 4:00 PM. There was no front desk, and throughout our stay, we never saw anyone working there. We would leave in the morning and return to a clean room, so clearly someone was around.

It made me wonder whether this is how more hotels will operate in the future. Was anyone there overnight if we needed help? The convenience was obvious, but I’m still not sure how comfortable I am with the idea. For what I was paying, I missed having someone there to welcome us or answer a question.

After settling in, we walked into town. Blowing Rock is a scenic resort village with historic stone buildings and plenty of charm. I’ve visited other historic towns where the main street turned out to be a collection of chain restaurants and souvenir shops. Blowing Rock felt more inviting, with family-owned restaurants and shops that were fun to browse.

Sophon and I are both suckers for fish and chips, so we settled on Six Pence Pub for dinner. Afterward, we walked back to the hotel for a quiet evening and planned our visit to Grandfather Mountain.

Poutine

Saturday, October 24, 2026

Before heading out, I stopped at the front desk to let them know the heating and air conditioning still weren’t fixed. The system would work for about an hour and then stop. Apparently, this was going to require more than one conversation.

We had breakfast at Sage Mule. I had planned on a light breakfast and chose a small biscuit sandwich—something relatively light—but then I spotted poutine on the menu. So much for that plan. I love poutine, and their version was one of the best I’ve had. Naturally, I ate more than I intended.

From there, we headed to Fearrington in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Once a dairy farm, it is now an upscale planned community with shops, restaurants, and lovely grounds to explore.

We enjoyed walking around, and one of the residents told us about the distinctive “Oreo” cows. These Belted Galloway cattle originated in Scotland and are raised for their beef. With their black coats and broad white middles, it’s easy to see how they earned the nickname.

After exploring, we went to afternoon tea at Fearrington House. We were seated in a room with a roaring fire, which added to the atmosphere. Each of us received our own pot of tea, followed by a three-tiered stand filled with finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets. Everything felt elegant, and it was a lovely way to spend time with our friends.

Back at the hotel that afternoon, we took a break. I put on the TV while catching up on some work and noticed how many Halloween movies were playing. It reminded me that we’re often traveling this time of year and miss some of those seasonal routines at home.

Later, we headed to Machete, another of my favorite restaurants. The creative cocktail list and changing seasonal menu always make dinner there an experience. It’s the kind of place where I look forward to seeing what they’ve come up with next.

Between breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner, we had spent much of the day eating. Add in time with good friends, and I really couldn’t complain.

Hellbound Heart

The Oreo Cows

Frearington House

Hidden Falls

Friday, October 23, 2026

We started the day with breakfast at Dear Dad’s. I continue to be impressed with the food scene here. The atmosphere was unique, and the food was delicious, with generous portions. We certainly weren’t leaving hungry.

After breakfast, we headed to Hanging Rock State Park. We stopped at the visitor center and asked the guy at the desk for recommendations. The hike to the lookout involved almost two miles of uphill walking. After that breakfast, that wasn’t going to happen.

He mentioned several waterfalls that weren’t too far from the parking lot. That sounded more like it. We picked a route, checked a map, and found the trail.

What he hadn’t mentioned was that the trails to the waterfalls were considered difficult. Things started easily enough, but then we began descending. With every step down, I became more aware that we would have to climb back up.

We made it to Hidden Falls, which seemed to be taking its name a little too seriously. With so little rain, there was barely any water.

Between the disappointing falls and the climb awaiting us, we decided to skip Window Falls and head back. We never did see the rock that gives Hanging Rock State Park its name, but it was still nice to get outside, enjoy nature, and do some hiking. By the time we reached the car, though, we were exhausted. So much for choosing the easier outing.

We took a break at the hotel that afternoon. Although it had recently been remodeled, we were having problems with both the internet and the heating and air conditioning. Internet tech support made it clear that the connection problem was on the hotel’s end, but when I brought it up at the front desk, they seemed surprised.

Dinner was at Blue Denim, one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Greensboro. We shared the Crab Rangoon appetizer, and I ordered the shrimp étouffée again. Every time we return, I consider trying something different, but I keep coming back to that dish. I cannot get enough of it.

The girls also brought us Vietnamese chocolate and donuts from Duck Donuts. It was way too much food. I knew we would be doing plenty of eating on this trip, and we were certainly living up to that expectation.

Shrimp Etouffee

Crab Rangoon

Thursday, October 22, 2026

We’re headed back to North Carolina to visit our friends and, hopefully, see some fall foliage. We don’t get much of that in Southern California, so I’m hoping we’ve timed it right. Nature doesn’t always cooperate.

Early in my career, I installed property management systems in hotels and spent most of my time traveling. Some of my favorite places turned out to be the lesser-known destinations, rather than the popular ones like New York or Orlando. I often enjoyed places I might never have thought to visit on my own.

North Carolina has become one of those places for me. It’s full of hidden gems, with beautiful scenery, plenty of history, and a surprisingly good food scene. We’ll spend the weekend catching up with our friends, then head to Blowing Rock to explore more of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Of course, getting there from California means choosing between a very early start and a late arrival. This time, we opted for the early start, which meant getting up at 3:00 AM. We flew to Chicago, then caught our connecting flight to Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO).

As airports go, I loved GSO. It was practically empty, which was a welcome way to finish a long day of travel.

We checked into the Marriott, then met our friends for dinner at an Asian restaurant called Yokai. It was good to be back in North Carolina—and even better to be catching up with friends over dinner.