Photo Friday: Grandfather Mountain, NC

Although it’s still warm here in Georgia, when I first got back from Australia, the whole family went to North Carolina for Sammi’s graduation. I bundled up in as much clothing as I could but you could imagine my body’s dislike to go from one extreme temperature to the next.

Before watching Sammi grab her diploma, the whole family went up to Grandfather Mountain outside of Boone where Sammi used to be an intern. The mountain is named for the crook that looks like an old man’s face.

Sammi showed us all of the best sites, like the countless animal habitats within the park. The otters and cougars were fun to see, but the real attraction is the black bears.

Mildred the Bear was the mountain’s bear for 26 years after being bred at Zoo Atlanta and brought to her new mountain home. She passed away in 1993. Since then, the habitat has brought in a four new bears.

The park also has dozens of walking and hiking trails and offer views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.

If you’re not afraid of heights, walk the Mile High Swinging Bridge which is 5,280 feet above sea level.

Have you ever been to Grandfather Mountain?