The Original Mast General Store In Valle Crucis

 When we first arrived at the Mast General I thought there wasn't many people at the store due to the fact there was only four vehicles out front.  What we didn't know was that there was a parking lot around back and it was packed.  Like us, they wanted to see where it all began in 1883.  We wondered around the store picking up a few items for Stone, and I of course got some candy.  Slowly we made our way down the street to the Mast Store Annex where around back, out by the creek they sell ice-cream and it was calling my name.  Stone and I made our selections and settled down in some chairs while enjoying our cones filled with sweet creamy goodness.  Finishing we loaded up and headed to Boone North Carolina for lunch.  Hey, there is nothing wrong with dessert first.  We ended up at an old familiar place called Macado's that we would frequent when we would come to town to visit the oldest when she was a student at Appalachian State University.  I swear the menu had not changed and the food was just as I remembered.
With full stomachs we drove over to Blowing Rock.  The town was full of life.  People and their dogs were all about.  We wondered around walking off the ice-cream and lunch before going back to Beech Mountain where a Jazz Band was playing out on the lawn at the Inn.

 The Original Mast General Store

Around back of the store where they have music on Saturdays.

 Their can never be too much candy...

 Me and my Fireball and Stone with his Orange Dream Cycle ice-cream out back along the creek behind The Mast Store Annex.

 Fireball Ice-cream

The best ice-cream I have ever eaten!!!

A little quiet time back at the Inn after a full day before heading to dinner.

Grandfather Mountain

Back in the 1760s Daniel Boone walked these forests.   Remember when Forrest Gump ran across America?  A portion of his trek was filmed on Grandfather Mountain.  Today it was Stone and I who left our tracks in these woods with many others.

Getting into the Park was slow.   The traffic was backed up due to it being July 4th weekend.  After finally getting through the gate we went straight to the restaurant.  I had to have ice-cream!  I think I've had some everyday since we left home.   Content we head out for an afternoon on the trails.

 Stone hiking along the Bridge Trail.

 The Bridge Trail is an easy winding trail through the forest that switches back and forth in a moderate climb to the Mile High Swinging Bridge.

 Stone and I on Black Rock Nature Trail.  The moderately rocky trailhead is located near the top of the mountain.

 Stone and I hurrying along.  You have to be off the trails by 6pm. or they send in a search party.

 Rhododendron

The vista from Grandfather Mountain

Beech Mountain North Carolina

Next stop on our road trip was Beech Mountain.   I see why people come here in the summer, the temps are a lot cooler.  Especially in the evening when I would have to put on my long pants.   The event that brought us here to the Beech Mountain Resort was their 47th Annual Hog Roast, followed by fireworks.  

During the day Stone and I wondered around the community and while doing so we passed the men smoking the hog and turkey.  They gave me a sample which was so good.  All it did was make me really hungry and there was still a few hours to go until dinner time.  

Beech Alpen Inn

 As soon as I took this picture, a deer strolled over and ate the flowers.

 At the Alpen Inn, they feed the deer.   The deer wonder around the property, keeping their distance but not running away.

 These men were hard at work getting the meat ready for the event.

 Cheerwine, made in North Caroline.

 I was ready for my bbq.

 A bonus, they had Moon Pie's.

Once it was dark, the fireworks began on the mountain.  I thought they look like sea creatures.

Jonesborough Day's Festival

My birthday month began with lots of festivities.  First stop was Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough.  It was founded in 1779, 17 years before Tennessee became a state.   This unique town, nested in the Appalachian Mountains is where Stone and I began our July 4 holiday and my month long birthday celebration.   We checked into the Historic Eureka Inn which was fabulous.  It reminded me of my mother-in-laws homestead.  The town was ready to celebrate the 4th with red white and blue everywhere.  Booths were set up along Main Street and people were mingling along.  What originally got my attention was the promotion of the Low Country Shrimp Boil followed by Carolina Beach Music with the Beach Nite Band on the square.  Well, I had never been to a street dance before and let my tell you if was soooooo fun!  After a night of music and dancing Stone and I slept like babies.  The next morning after breakfast we settled into rocking chairs outside our room and watched the parade as it made its way down Main Street.  Jonesborough was like stepping back in time.  I loved this little town.

President Andrew Jackson's home for a short time.

Me and Stone

Cookies made at the Eureka Inn.  They were really yummy.  Stone and I ate several😃

Low Country Shrimp Boil

I had to be taught how to eat crawfish.  

Stone and I dancing the night away. ↑

My patriotic breakfast.

Waiting for the July 4 parade to begin.

We had the best view of the parade.

Freezer Deep Dish Apple Pie For Father's Day

Upon awakening this morning I asked Stone, what would you like to do on this Father's Day?  I said you choose, we will do whatever you want.  He proceeded to slowly crawl out of bed, making his way to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee, bringing it back with him to bed along with a Diet Coke for me and said, "I want to lay here and drink two cups of coffee, read the newspaper, eat some breakfast, go for a walk which we walked close to six miles, play my saxophone, read my book and watch the U.S. Open."  Then he requested that I prepare burgers, corn on cob, baked beans, Apple Pie and ice tea for dinner.  I guess I wore him out this weekend with all our goings.  He just wants to stay home, so thats what we did.

I decided to bake an Apple Pie using a recipe from an old cookbook, The FamilyCircle Encyclopedia Of Cooking that my mama gave me many years ago.  In fact she wrote little message, "I do hope you enjoy the book," and the date which was December 5, 1991.  It is now a well worn copy as I have enjoyed the book and have prepared many recipes from it. 

Freezer Deep Dish Apple Pie

Makes: one 10" pie

Ingredients:

2 pounds and 13 ounces peeled and sliced thinly Granny Smith Apples:  about 10 medium

1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

3 Tablespoons all purpose flour

 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

2 Tablespoons butter, melted

1 double crust piecrust, homemade or store bought.

1 Tablespoon water or milk

Sparkling Sugar or granulated for topping

Directions:

1.  In a large pan place peeled and sliced apples, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and butter.  Cook on medium for 14 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Let cool to room temp.

2.  Roll out pie crust and place bottom layer in pie pan.  Place Pie Bird in the middle.  Fill with cooled filling.  Top with second layer of pie crust.  Crimp edges.     Decorate with extra crust if you want or not.  Brush pie with water or milk and sprinkle with sparkling sugar or granulated sugar.

3.  Freeze on a cookie sheet.  When frozen wrap with a layer of saran wrap, then a layer of foil.

4.  When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425'.  Place pie on bottom rack and bake for 15 minutes. This will keep the crust flaky instead of soggy.   Reduce temp to 350', move pie up a rack and continuing baking for 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Then move pie up one more rack and continue baking for 40 minutes, until crust is nice and brown and the filling is bubbling, cover with foil if needed.

5.  Cool at least an hour. Slice it up or just dig in. 😄 Serve with whipped cream, ice cream or eat it alone.