White Water Rafting – The Nantahala
Travel Date: All my life 💕
Written By: Brandy Caitlyn
This is for all of my adventurous souls, people that want to try something new and adrenaline junkies. That means, everyone!
All of my life I have been going white water rafting with my dad. My dad was on a swift water rescue team for most of my younger years. With my dad being on a swift water rescue team he was extremely diversed in the safety we needed and how to navigate the waters!
One of the top places we always went to growing up and I continue to go too is, Paddle Inn Rafting. This is located near Bryson City North Carolina!
All Things Paddle Inn Rafting
Now I have been going white water rafting with this company for as long as I can remember! I do not honestly thing we have been elsewhere.
The company is quaint and full of God loving great people! One of my FAVORITE parts of this location is “Mom” who runs it! She has been there since I was a little girl and still there in 2021!!
Mom prays with each group before they get on the big yellow busses to go down the Nantahala!
Once you get in the big yellow bus they will take you a ways down the road where you unload the rafts that are placed on top and can hop onto the Nantahala.
Now, you can do three types of trips
- Self guided
- Fully guided
- Guide assisted
Each one of these offers different things from being just with your family to a guide that is fully equipped for each thing that the Nantahala had to offer!
They also have different size duckies or rafts!
- They have a single duckie
- Two person duckie
- Or bigger rafts!
My 2020 Paddle Inn Trip!
In the year 2020 me and my sweet boyfriend AP went to the mountains for a week! When we stayed a portion in Bryson City NC, I planned a trip to paddle in!
When we arrived at Paddle Inn we parked in the gravel lot on the same side as the building!
We walked up and spoke to the amazing staff who set us up to get a two person ducky for our trip! We signed our waiver and prepared for the transport!
With every time I’ve been as always mom prayed with the entire group before we got onto the bus!
We got onto the bus where they took us a little ways up the road!
We got off the bus into a parking lot where they unloaded the duckies and rafts off the top of the bus and we each took ours!
We jumped into our raft and set out down the Nantahala! I was our “guide” since I had been down it many times. Which means I sat in the back where the guides are suppose to be!
The Nantahala had certain parts you have to hit just right or things can go very badly!
There will be portions you can get off and swim at, places you can jump off at and more! It’s an amazing experience!
Now we had a blast! We got to just float in certain sections and others were paddling hard!
Now with the Paddle Inn company they have a photographer that waits at the end for you to come down and takes photos of your group!
This is where at many times things can go south…
As we were heading towards the final portion before you get out the “big wesser”…. We did not hit it right….
So, we come up to it…. We are going and then…
We start to get sucked back and my part of the raft is taking on water. I’m disappearing underneath the pull of the flow of water.
AP said at one point he turned around and couldn’t see me.. he thought I was GONE.
I thought I was going to be gone off the raft too buttttt… I continued to hold on to my paddle and try to fight out of it!
Once we got out, I felt like I had concured the world cause PHEWWWW.
Once we got past this point you have you to get out to make sure you dont float further which can be dangerous. Like more dangerous!
Keep scrolling to see the photos taken that show everything fine… me about to drown… and then us concurring it!
Photo map of Us!
This is the first photo taken, we are coming towards the big wesser and felt like we were doing great…
Lining ourselves up!
Looking at my face… you can see the oh shit factor..
Where did Austin go?
Starting to get sucked under!
Still holding on with everything I have, the duckie is starting to turn
Then the raft started to tip… we both almost came out. Fighting the current of the rapids!
The duckie straightened back out… but I’m still getting sucked under. I’m pretty sure the paddling stopped at this point, I was trying to push the paddle down to lift up myself from the suction.
Still face of fear cause I thought I was going to drown. But! We than made a turn for it.
We started to come out of it! Looking tan and majestic!
It was austins turn to get a lot of water after me being under for awhile 😂
Boom! We were out of the woods. Full of laughs and gleaming smile after fighting the rapids. Because we found it honestly hilarious and fun.
It was an ADVENTURE for the books!
We went and got food and drinks after being drenched and watched others coming down the Nantahala!
At the end of this blog I am thankful for the love of adrenaline. I’m thankful for growing up with a family that introduced me to the wild love I have for traveling and hiking.
I am also thankful for my partner in crime that loves doing crazy stuff with me like this!
As always, Respect Nature. Respect the earth. And #LeaveNoTracesBehind
Much love, B
References
http://www.paddleinnrafting.com/m/
places-nantahala-gorge
Choosing Your Body – Your Best Self
Todays blog is about choosing your body and what you put in it safely! To include choosing your medicine safely and ensuring that you have your upmost well being at hand.
This is featured off of my personal experience of encountering being placed on a medicine I had no knowledge of. Had not looked into and trusted my doctor prescribing it for me. I was just excited to be clear of acne and to feel beautiful in my own skin, not knowing the giant risks.
Not to mention giant risks it also speaks on pregnancy and the medicine I was taking! so, keep reading.
In the year 2020 everybody knows that it was a huge mix of stress and new unimaginable things it seemed like around every corner. Whether it be the pandemic, losses, school, flying insects or what have it. It felt like an insane year for the books, heck toilet paper Christmas ornaments came out of it.
Now, the beginning of the year 2020 I made the big decision for myself to remove birth control out of my system after being on to for over 10 plus years. December 2019 was my stopping point, I said enough was enough.
I received much backlash from family and friends to stay on it as they wanted me to not conceive and to protect myself. Now, me being the person navigating my own body I knew that the best option for myself mentally and physically was to not be on birth control. Some people have a hard time understanding that others can feel what certain medicines do to them that are not healthy.
When I removed myself from this medicine I felt like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulder. Why did I feel like a weight was lifted? This medicine caused me many stresses daily;
- It made me feel groggy and always exhausted no matter how much sleep I got
- I was emotionally imbalanced (I felt angry and upset non stop for literally no reason, could be a radio person talking about something small or even spilt milk)
- I had what felt like death periods off and on, one month would be short and amazing and the next? I thought I was dying.
- I just didn’t quite feel like myself, the full potential that I wanted to live by.
You see I could keep listing things because while on this medicine I was miserable. One downfall though of getting off (or so it may seem as it was close together), I started getting bad acne. I had acne on my face, chest and back. Now this isn’t like me as growing up I had pretty clear skin besides the occasional zit in high school.
The topic of birth control and skin care will make more sense with reading further down the blog! I promise.
Dermatologists
So of course, with acne making me feel insecure I wanted to pursue going to a dermatologist to get my skin to wear I felt good within it. This began my journey into finding the person I felt right for me. I talked to other people that were familiar with this to help me know where to even start honestly!
First Encounter
The first encounter I had with a dermatologist was iffy honestly. I went into the appointment and walked out with one prescription that was a topical agent. I used this for months, and it just wasn’t working for me. I thought at first it was just I did not give it enough time, but it just wasn’t working for my skin alone.
So I went to re-schedule an appointment at this location and unfortunately this dermatologist had since moved on. They set me up with another appointment with a new dermatologist within the same facility.
I waited for what felt like forever to get in as they are booked up.
Second Encounter
My Second encounter was I thought way better than the first because she seemed very eager to fix my acne problem. She was very nice and made sure to check every bit of my complaints.
I was instructed by this dermatologist to take two skin topicals and a pill. Now the two skin topicals are not the complaint that I have had. The issue that raised was the pill she prescribed, which is talked about more later in this story.
Initially I was told to take a strong round of antibiotics to get anything out of my system to help my skin get ready for its new journey. Once I took this round of antibiotics I then was prescribed a generic brand called “Spironolactone”.
I was told when I went into this that the “spironolactone” would be a longer term option to combat acne and was not given a time frame to get eased off of it. I took two 50 milligram prescription pills twice a day, which honestly seems like a lot.
So I went through many months of taking this medication.
Fast forward too around January of 2021 so a year later, I had another appointment scheduled to ensure I was up to date on what I needed. I was told that my dermatologists last day was actually the day of my appointment. So I continued through with it and arrived on the day of my appointment.
I was told by the same doctor that my regiment still looked good and she would extend my prescriptions for another 6 months to give me time to find a new dermatologist to visit.
Third Encounter
So the third encounter, was in the year 2021 as well, August to be exact! I located a new dermatologist at a complete different facility. When I arrived to this appointment I was still using my two topical prescriptions but had ran out of the “Spironolactone” the Saturday before my appointment.
I made contact with who I am calling the nurse assistant first who asked me all of the typical questions like what medications are you taking. I ensured to tell them that I was not taking birth control, like I always do.
She asked me if I was actively trying to conceive to which I answered no. I also explained that though I was not trying to conceive we were doing nothing to stop it.
They called this “taking the goalie out of the game”. This basically means that there is nothing stopping the score from happening.
So my new dermatologist came in and instantly I vibed with her more than anyone before. She had such an upbeat and positive attitude. She was loud and strong, which is good in women!
She ran through the basic stuff with me and then brought up my medicines. She touched on keeping me on my topical prescriptions as they were helping to maintain my clear skin.
The HEAT of this story then came forward. My new dermatologist then proceeded to tell me that she was taking me off of the prescription of “Spironolactone”. She described to me information I had NEVER heard before that were VERY important and that I should have been told.
She notified me that this medicine causes SEVERE birth defects in baby boys upon conception and can cause birth defects in infant girls just probably not as severe. She touched on the fact that it depletes basically all of the testosterone out of your body.
Now I was in absolute SHOCK hearing all of this. Anyone that follows me knows that I just encountered an extremely rare pregnancy that affects 1% of the population. Also with other medical things occurring this set on a light bulb and honestly made me furious.
I thanked the doctor for helping me and the nurse also advised she was going to look into the fact of molar pregnancy and the correlation of the two possibly being connected. I walked out knowing exactly what I was taking and that if I do end up conceiving a rainbow baby I can just stop my topical agents and be safe.
This dermatologist was the best I had ever seen. Why?
- She was upfront and honest
- She told me side effects that are major for medication
- She made sure I was informed and knowledgeable about what products I was using
- She had a great personality that reflected she truly cares about her clients
- SHE KEPT ME OFF OF ANYTHING THAT COULD HARM MY UNBORN CHILDREN BEFORE THEY EVER COME INTO THE PICTURE.
The Light Bulb
Now this block is titled the light bulb because after my third encounter with a dermatologist so many things had finally been explained that I was confused about.
I had a molar pregnancy that occurred while taking medication that was dangerous for conceived babies and causes sever birth defects. At this time there is no reason discovered for why molar pregnancies even occur, but the odds are there that it could have some factor. With not taking birth control there should always be a caution for what you are taking.
Now this is partly my fault because I should have not trusted the doctors who prescribed me stuff and looked more into myself to just be knowledgeable about what is going in my body.
The flip side of that is the doctor should also not prescribe dangerous medicine to people that are not taking contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Anyone I have speaked with says it is extremely important, as I have always been open about not taking birth control.
Now when it comes to my situation birth control causes a hormonal issue that makes me severely emotional and to feel out of wack. Not knowing that the medicine I was taking was also depleting my testosterone out of my body made this issue elevated. I didn’t know why. The OB also just assumed it was birth control and addressed it accordingly on their end.
Had the second dermatologist notified me of all the information on this medication upon prescribing it months of emotional issues could have been handled way quicker and safer.
Now, after my molar pregnancy I went through a face of testing and such to ensure my health was going to continue in the right direction. This caused me to be placed back on birth control for the duration of my “treatments”.
The second that I was cleared I removed myself from birth control, yet again to make sure that I took care of my own well being.
I then had unexplained bleeding for weeks at a time that was causing me to feel very weak. When I removed myself from both birth control and the “Spironolactone” the bleeding came to an end. I felt almost normal again.
All of these very well could have no connection, but with all of the math and documentation I have tried to do with the dates some of it does seem to have a connection at least at the surface.
Spironolactone – The danger
Now I am going to go into what this even is because I HAD NO IDEA. Not a lick of a clue when I was placed on this. Had I have known? I would have never subjected myself to this.
- It is the generic brand for ALDACTONE
- It says that this medicine can take 3 to 6 months to start taking effect in your body
- This medicine is not considered safe to treat men as they apparently have developed breasts during the time frame.
- It decreases Testosterone
- It causes sever birth defects in babies
This is just a short list of things that occur with this medication. It isn’t safe for men to take and even some women.
Spironolactone is an anti-androgen (anti-male hormone) medication. It blocks the androgen receptor and reduces the level of testosterone and DHEAS. It also has diuretic effects and can lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention seen in conditions such as heart failure and chronic liver disease.This medication can also treat hypokalaemia (low potassium levels).
More!
Now I do want to say that the acne medicine worked great in the aspect of removing my acne from my body.
What I didn’t know is that while I had my molar pregnancy issue I was placed back on birth control. So the combination of both the acne medicine and birth control made me feel like I was going INSANE. I couldn’t understand why my emotions were so crazy.
I thought that it was just the birth control, because it had always made me feel so off…
Little did I know it was both of the Medicines!
So since I’ve gotten off both?
- I have felt like myself again
- I haven’t cried as much
- I’ve stopped uncontrollably bleeding
- I stopped having such hormonal imbalances
I am myself… again…
MY ADVICE 🌿
So my note today I PLEASE be careful what you are putting into your body.
PLEASE research things that are given to you.
Please take care of yourself over everything
Finally. DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU. If you don’t want to take birth control, don’t. If an acne medicine isn’t right for you, don’t take it.
Just make sure you are doing what is fit for you and to prevent pregnancy if that’s not something you want to take on.
Much love, B.
Resources
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6288/spironolactone-oral/details
https://www.afwomensmed.com/health-library/hw-view.php?DOCHWID=d00373a1
Take Care Of Your Body | Fitness And Training Inspirational Quote
140 Love Yourself Quotes
Wesser Bald Firewatch Tower, did it watch fires?
Travel Date: August 2020
Written By: Brandy Caitlyn
When it comes to the location “Wesser Bald Firewatch Tower”, I can tell you that it will take your breath away.
The view from this location feels almost unreal as the beauty is that amazing. you feel like you are looking at a painting created that is surrounding you with colors and peaks that you can’t quit reading to touch.
Me and my boyfriend, AP went to my home called the mountains in August of 2020. We were staying at a quaint little cabin in Bryson City North Carolina!
Now anyone that knows me knows, I love nature and love to hike. For the ones that do not know me, it’s true I love it. With all the blogs I post and will continue to post I’m sure you will notice!
When me and my boyfriend set out to do this hike we researched all about it. Now I use the app “AllTrails” that helps guide me and give me the best tips and ways to go!
The app showed a short route of 2.8 miles or a long route of around 8.2. Which one do you think my boyfriend wanted to do??
THE 8.2 MILE TRACK!!!
I will say, this 8.2 mile trip is not for the weak. It was hard. I wanted to quit at times. I encountered incidents I thought I was going to get hurt on. In the end? I had a freaking blast!
Our Trip to The Location!
So we got up bright and early the morning we decided to jump into this adventure. We had our backpacks all packed with sandwich’s, snacks and water!
I was wearing shorts, tank top and tennis shoes. He had more appropriate clothing. (You’ll see why I mention this later)
Now this trail you can choose from the long trail and the short trail. when we were heading to the long trail we started going down a residential looking road and came to a steep incline. The incline went up and into an open circular area surrounded by trees.
When we came up the inclined road and looked to the right there was a small path. There wasn’t any marking so we assumed it was the right area and left our car parked in the clearing.
When we started on this adventure the path was wide and we came across an area that looked like someone had been camping in. We continued forward.
The path began to narrow and was going up. Aka up the mountain. When I say narrow, I mean the path was small and some portions it was giving out.
Some parts of the path were overgrown to the point you all the nature was just smacking against your legs.
As we were venturing up the slim path we encountered a snake… when I say encountered I mean AP was walking in front of me and stopped in his tracks… me watching my feet so I don’t fall of the edge (because the plants on our left side were hiding the fact it drops off) I smacked my face right into his backpack.
With confusion it took me a second to realize there was a massive snake in front of us. He takes a stick and nudges the snake to try to get it off of the path. I then try to hustle pass where he was cause… ya girl isn’t trying to get bit
If you look closely at this picture you can see the mighty snake sunbathing. To the left of the snake the mountain drops off.
Now I’m not a big fan of snakes… but as long as it stays away from me I am peachy. After we walked past the snake area we continued up the mountain. We came to a clearing that was where we had to continue up the mountain to get to the top.
In this clearing we walked past our path that continued up to where we saw a natural -ish spring to fill up on water. Honestly? The water was so cold and refreshing and the design of whoever did this was a genius!
There was a small pipe that connected the water and it runs down for you to place a bottle up too, drink from and that runs into the little concrete block!
After we refilled on water at the coolest thing I’ve ever encountered we kept going up the mountain… this felt more straight up then the rest. It could be that I was scrapped up, exhausted and ready to get to the top.
As we are hiking along suddenly AP sees the tower coming into view! It was huge and sitting high in the sky!
It felt like I had made it to the edge of the rocks after the strenuous hike!
Of course we immediately climbed to the top. My legs felt like jello. The stairs were pretty sturdy.
When we came out on the top, it took my breath away. The view is incredible.
We sat down to rest and fueled back up by eating sandwich’s and snacks! We hydrated and just enjoyed breathing in every bit of nature around us.
- The fresh sky
- The feeling of achievement from hiking up such a big incline and strenuous hike.
- The sky that felt like it extended forever and was just a painting by the one above
- The nature around that say quietly flowing with the slight breeze
After hanging out at the top for awhile and breathing in the amazing views we started our trek back down the mountain.
As we were going down the mountain it was less strenuous but I almost fell not once… but twice…
I was walking calmly along and the next thing I know because of how tiny the path was, my right leg was off the mountain and I was on the ground grasping to not fall the rest of the way.
We kept traveling down, crossing over things, walking through parts of water to get back to our car.
As we neared the bottom we felt like we had just conquered the world… in a way we did.
We hiked 8.2 miles round trip through rough terrain and saw one of the most beautiful views. When we walked out and saw my little jeep sitting waiting it was like a relief but also excitement.
We sat down into the car and just were absoultely exhausted.
But that’s what hiking is all about! Exploring nature, finding new things. Seeing the beautiful creations around us. Going by the moss of the trees and using every muscle inside of your skin.
My Review I Left On AllTrails
So I left this review on a hiking app right after we got done! As a first hand encounter during the year 2020 for others!
“So, sit down and get ready for the review that might help you with this hike immensely!
First! we used directions to get to the spot, but it brought us up to a house and then a path straight up we couldn’t see the top of. We went to the top and there was a circular gravel road. The path is to the right as you come up! I didn’t see many reviews that talked about this and for a second we were confused.
Second, all of the other reviews about a narrow path and overgrown are very true. When we started the hike we thought it was a fib, because in the beginning it was nice and a wide path (there’s is a spot to your left starting that someone has a camp with wood wrapped in plastic this was a marker for us coming back). As we ventured on we soon realized that it was no fib. At some spots it is literally LESS then a foot wide. EXPECT TO FALL ATLEAST TWICE IF NOT MORE. Even with us being extremely careful we still fell. The path is so so so overgrown at the top, to the point that it’s over five feet tall (me) and was hitting me on the head going through.
There are beautiful cascades throughout the hike that are refreshing!
The path is covered by brush and nature in many spots, to the point sometimes you can’t see the path is washed out (sadly it will probably eventually wash completely out in spots). Both me and my boyfriend were walking watching our feet and within seconds were up to our hip with one leg off the mountain side (it’s straight down mostly). It also winds up the mountain constantly.
It is a very beautiful hike but Strenuous as all get out. It was pretty much straight up the ENTIRE time.
We started at 12 and made it to the top around 3-315. We sat up there for around 45 minutes taking in the breath taking views and eating a snack. IT TOOK US AROUND 3 HOURS TO THE TOP (we are both pretty good in shape and we’re moving quickly with barely any stopping). !!!!! THE LAST MILE OR SO WAS THE WORST, even with moving slower it was hard and tons of brush. We headed back around 345pm and got back around 530pm. It took way less time going down then up (but we were moving very fast down). I will say my legs were very sore going down after hiking up and falling.
We came to the top of this trail head and you take a LEFT (also confusing) we had to pull the map out to see which way to go. You will come to another fork in the path (you will see a sign that says water, it has a natural water spring you can drink from). You will then go up to the right from the fork to the top.
The views are AMAZING. The tower is pretty stirdy at the top as long as no ones going up and down the stairs. The stairs were the spot that was a little iffy, but just watch your step most of it was fine.
Also, they made many reviews about trees being down. We did have to cross several trees, but someone has gone through and cut a lot of them in half to make the path clear!!!!
WEAR LONG PANTS AND SLEEVES, there are tons of briars and poison (all kinds). Fall would probably be the best time to do where some of the stuff is not as full.
Lastly, do the hike. Experience it. And leave nothing but foot prints behind”
More pictures!
Pictures from traveling up the mountain!
The top and destination area!
There Is Nothing Better Than To Hike and Travel.
Here is to more hard hikes.
As always, respect the earth. Respect nature and #LeaveNoTracesBehind
Much love, B.
References
Wesser Creek Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/wesser-creek-trail
Plexus – How it Helped Me
So typically when we see a person trying to sell a product from their home through the phone we are skeptical. We are always worried about pyramid schemes, what is the real truth and more.
I personally can speak the real truth on the company Plexus as I began it this year and it has impacted me so much. I can help you know it isn’t a scam, at all!
Some people use Plexus to lose weight, which is possible. Others, like me use it to balance your body when your body has trouble.
About Me
So, I started looking into Plexus after watching my friend who sells it and uses it posting on Facebook!She had great results.
Personally, I struggle with my tummy wanting to work and being able to even use the bathroom on a day to day basis. I’m talking DAYS. Feeling like I’m bloated and look like I have a bump.
So asking my friend, she explained the products to me and what could help me with my issue I have. Because let’s face it, I was miserable.
I bit the bullet and bought my first supply months back. Since then I have felt so much better. LITERALLY.
My Results
Now, I havent particularly lost weight but I know others who have. I use this product to regulate my body and allow me comfort in a day to day life.
My results are;
- I no longer feel uncomfortable and bloating
- I can use the bathroom almost daily sometimes multiple times!
- I have more energy
- I can focus more
- I can use clean products to ensure my body is on track!
To some this might not seem like a lot. But having tummy issues can leave you feeling miserable. Drained. And honestly not like yourself!
What I Use From Plexus!
I wake up in the morning, take two little pills that get my body going. I drink a glass of water as soon as I wake up with it!
I take my “pink drink” mix and shake it up in water as well and drink that as I head into work! (Already getting needed water into my system early!)
I go through my day with a cup coffee typically when I get to work! Later through the day I use their clean energy packet in water and it gives me the jolt for the rest of the day. AND better than energy drinks!!
(Sometimes) I will drink a second pink drink depending on how I eat and feel that day!
Right before I am getting ready to go to bed I take finally two small brown pills that help my body do it’s work throughout the night!
Products
This is the “Pink Drink”. The flavor is AMAZING! It helps promote good gut health!
This is ProBio5! It helps remove bad substances from your digestive system! It helps get your digestion on track and the needed reduction of unwanted nasty microbes so your body can naturally do it’s cleansing process!
Bio Cleanse also helps your body cleanse naturally!
Finally! I love Plexus Active! It gives you clean energy to fight through your day! It is a healthy alternative to coffee and energy drinks!
So should you try it?
This question is only for you to answer! If you can afford to allocate 100-150 a month for a better health than why shouldn’t you try it!
You can also become an ambassador like I did and receive discounts. You do not have to sell it to be an ambassador!
I can point you in the right direction if this is a journey you also want to join and make your body feel better!
I only listed the products that I use here, but there are so many they offer to help you!
Oldest “Mast General Store” in North Carolina!
Travel Date: July 2019
Written By: Brandy Caitlyn
The blog of the day is about one of the oldest Mast General Stores in the state of North Carolina!
This location address is off of Highway 194, Valle Crucis NC.
I visited this location around July 2019 and will say it is very unique with all of its history it holds. Now I enjoy going to the Mast General stores no matter how old they are or the town location because of the atmosphere. There is something about a store with old candy, old pop drinks and the aesthetic of being in a different era almost.
I took this adventure with my amazing step mom. To get to the store we went towards the small town of Valle Crucis which is near Banner ElkT. Finding the location it felt like you were driving into no where with mountains all around.
As we were driving down the road we spotted it and the Annex that is just up the road from the Mast General store itself.
We went into the store and explored everything, from the still operating post office to the candy section. Nothing was missed.
🔥 Knowledge Bomb Block 🔥
Now knowing all about something is one of the most important parts about traveling to the location!
- They started building it in the year 1882-1883, making it the oldest one built.
- There is a legend attached to this first built store that the land around this area was traded for a dog, a rifle and a sheepskin (weird I know)
- It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in the year 1973.
- There is an Annex building built just down the street (2/10 mile down the road) that holds more items such as clothing, gear and more!
- The Mast General store has a operational old post office inside!
This is me standing in front of the oldest Mast General store doors. Looking at the exterior of the building most people are able to see the history and notice that the building is older than what we build in our era. The wood is settling, the paint is chipping and the doors are large and old. But it is so beautiful.
If you look at the sign you can see the originality of it and the rust from how long it has sat there through each century that it has withstood.
This is a sign placed on the front door of the location showing that it has been added to the National Registry of Historical places! This is a strong honor as it brings the attention of all individuals who love to travel too old historic places!
This is a picture taken of the Valle Crucis operational old post office just after you enter the front doors! You can see the small mailbox, tiny jail cell looking door and the hours of operation!
It is very unique as most post offices are not in a building built in 1883 and most post offices do not still have this old era look to it!
The entire inside area of this location has the old wood, old signs and everything you would think it would be back in the day!
Not only does it have old signs and items that you can buy that are general things you expect, it also has section of nuts and bolts that you would be able to purchase out of bins.
One of my favorite staples of the mass general stores is being able to purchase old time candy and drinks. Now I do not have a picture in the Valle Crucis location with a pop drink, but I do have one from the location in Waynesville NC.
As you can see from looking at the photos this location and all of the Mast General stores are fairly old and full of history. You can take a trip to one of the many locations that will be listed below and get a nice cold soda pop, some popcorn, old candy and many trinkets!
Mast General Store Locations
- Original Mast General Store, Highway 194 in Valley Crucis NC
- Annex (near the Original Mast General Store)
- Asheville location, 15 Biltmore Ave Asheville NC.
- Boone Location, 630 West King St Boone NC.
- Columbia location, 1601 Main St Columbia NC.
- Greenville (SC) location, 111 N Maine St Greenville SC.
- Hendersonville location, 527 N Maine St Hendersonville NC.
- Knoxville location, 402 South Gay St Knoxville TN.
- Roanoke location, 401 South Jefferson St Roanoke VA.
- Waynesville location, 63 N Maine St Waynesville NC.
- Winston-salem location, 516 North Trade Street Winston-salem NC.
Each one of these locations has their own unique date that it was built all in the late 1800s to early 1900s. They expanded from the state of North Carolina to South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia!
References
To the “Bestfriends” Who Aren’t Our Friends Anymore:
To start out, this is a blog from women’s hearts. No names will be mentioned and it is real life stories that has happened to women of all ages.
So, it is the year 2021 and by now it isn’t a suprise the way things work sometimes.
This blog is all about the people you thought were your best friend and found out, swiftly that they weren’t.
I know everyone has encountered a situation through life where you thought someone was your friend and then you find out the hard truth.
Whether you’re in middle school and maybe just starting to experience this.
Whether you’re in high school and think someone is your friend and then find out they are talking bad about you.
Whether you’re over 18 and full swing into “Adult life”.
At some point in life we ALL experience this. There isn’t any avoiding it, unfortunately. Believe me, I wish I could too!
I want to first start off with saying, no matter how old you are and how hard the situation is… YOU’RE
- AMAZING
- BEAUTIFUL
- STRONG
- BLESSED
- SPECIAL
- LOVING
- AND WORTH IT
Life sometimes throws us for loops that we just don’t see coming.
As my mom always says we have three types of friends
- Reason
- Season
- Lifelong
Reason “Friends”
The reason friends are people that come in to your life for a specific reason.
This reason could be to teach you something, to teach them something or for a reason you may never know.
The point is, they are only a friend for a small portion of your life. Once the “reason” is found or happens their will be an exit.
Now this exit may not be graceful. This exit may be heart wrenching. It could just be a silent exit, it just depends.
Season “friends”
Season friends can be around a little longer than the “reason” friends.
You may be thinking when we say season are we talking about the weather changing seasons? Not technically but, you could have a friend that is only a friend for the summer or another time.
What we mean by season is a select time in your life. Whether it be…
- Younger years (middle school, high school)
- College years
- Your 20s
- Your 30s
- Marriage
- Children
See the list could keep going because there is ALWAYS a different season in our life’s evolving and transitioning.
Lifelong “friends”
Life long friends is the friend you really want to find. This is the person that is going to stick with you no matter what. The friend that isn’t going to exclude you. The friend that isn’t going to put your friendship in jeopardy.
These type of friends are few and far between. They are hard to find, so once you do find this type of friend. Keep them.
A life long friend is going to be there through all phases of life. From marriage, babies to growing old. It’s basically a marriage to a best friend.
They get old with you and are there until “death do us part”
Now these friends? They aren’t going to be the friends that bash you. The friends that lie to you. The friends that exclude you and don’t act like a true friend.
My mom has one of these friends, this women holds a special place in my heart. They have been friends for many many years. This friend of my moms has been around my entire life. They don’t have fights, they don’t speak bad about eachother and they always are there for eachother. Even after 20+ years! So it is possible!
The things season & reason friends do
So, we all have examples of things people have done to us. When I say things I don’t mean a one time accident that they were sincerely sorry for. Everyone makes mistakes. I mean the multiple negative impacts a person does to you. Such as;
- Excluding you from important events
- Lying to you constantly
- Talking bad about you
- Getting you in trouble or fired at work
- Being envious of you getting married or pregnant
- Bringing negativity into your life that taxes your mental health
Some of these are different things that have happened to women I have spoken too.
MY STORIES
Throughout my own life I have encountered the “reason and season friends”. Every time I do it’s like I am devistated someone could do that to me.
Now I am only listing two here on this blog, because listing the many people would take far too long.
Friend 1
I had a friend for several years that I thought was going to be a life long friend. We had the best of times together. Like two peas in a pod. I never thought she would talk bad about me and always knew I could go to her with stuff.
UNTIL I fell pregnant. This “friend” told me she was going to push me down the stairs. She didn’t like my baby’s father, which is fine if you don’t. But saying such harsh things?
After the second time of her making this comment and I knew she wasn’t joking I started to let the friendship fade out.
Why? Because a real friend doesn’t wish harm on you or your unborn child. A good friend supports you in your decision to keep a child.
Friend 2
Now this friend I truly thought was going to be a lifelong friend. We started being friends many years ago. It took me multiple times of being hurt by this person to realize, I need to let her go.
People told me over and over to stop letting someone in that keeps doing these things to me.
- Stopped being friends with me due to a toxic relationship they were in
- Blew me off for other plans after making plans first with me, multiple times
- Putting a stress on me to make sure she was safe
- Tells me she is moving far away less than five days before she leaves; with the person that physically hurt her
- Doesn’t respond to me and reach out before
See I could keep listing things. But that is enough for me to know, this person wasn’t a real friend.
I have learned that friendships that end are almost worst than break ups. It feels like your heart is shattering and you’re losing “your person”. In a way, you kind of are.
Now, even though these people have done you wrong. I never recommend wishing bad things onto other people.
I always say, wish them luck and walk away.
After being in a friendship with someone that mentally drained me. I want everyone to know, at some point you have to do what is best for you.
I worried and stressed myself out trying to make sure that someone was okay. I was the on standby person when they were afraid of the person they are with. I was the person that had a code word to help and send cops because, it’s that bad. I put a strain on my own mental health always worrying that the next time it wouldn’t be just a minor injury.
After years of them going back to the person who hurt them. I realized, I’m so mentally drained from someone else’s life that I feel off in my own daily life.
This was a wake up call for me.
SO, TO YOUR OLD BEST FRIEND. WISH THEM LUCK. TELL THEM YOU LOVE THEM.
YOU CAN REMOVE THEM FROM EVERYTHING, PROTECT YOUR MENTAL.
FOCUS ON YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
BRING POSITIVITY BACK INTO YOUR LIFE.
DON’T ENTERTAIN THE NEGATIVE THINGS
Use your life for good. Stop stressing over other peoples bad decisions. You are here for a reason and it isn’t to dwell on the bad parts of life.
Now sometimes life and friendships just run it’s course, the assigned time expires. Sometimes this is no fault of either party, but it just isn’t meant to be.
As always,
Much Love, B
Links
The Ghost Town In The Sky – Abandoned
TRAVEL DATES: May & June
WRITTEN BY: Brandy Caitlyn
So, I will start off this blog with a DISCLAIMER, yes a disclaimer. I want to make sure that anyone that reads this knows that these dates I attended were several years ago. The previous owner Alaska allowed us to enter this location when it was under her possession. We did not trespass at any point. Alaska no longer owns this property and I can not provide any information on how to access it in this day and time.
So, I am writing about the amazing “Ghost Town In The Sky”. If you are younger you may not even know what I am talking about. You arrived here though, so buckle up and get ready to learn about this mysterious place in the sky. It is a staple in history!!
I learned about this place many many years ago as my parents went to the location when it was actually operational. I was told so much about the uniqueness that it had and the fun they had going.
Know about it 📌
Ghost town opened in the year 1961 for people to come experience a western town, high in the sky. It had roller coasters, smaller rides, restaurants, gun fights, a haunted house and more. It is something that people dream about going to, like a flash into the past.
The park closed down in the year 2002 after issues with a chairlift to the location. You’re probably thinking, a chairlift? The park had an entrance base at the bottom of the mountain in Maggie Valley and had a lift that took passengers up the mountain to the park itself.
The park was re-purchased around 2007 where it cost millions to fix the damages. The park re-closed around 2009-2010.
Alaska Presley purchased the park back around 2010 where she had intent to fix the place up and it never officially happened.
The old front of the business still remains in the small town of Maggie Valley North Carolina. There is a large parking lot adjacent to the old building that you parked in and traveled up to the park. I have stopped in and admired the building many times , I note that it has such beauty. I previously looked in the window when I was younger and saw it sitting like it was before with souvenirs and informational pamphlets.
The park sat for at least four years after its closing with no one purchasing it or attempting to fix it up. This made the park “open” for trespassers and vandalism. Are you thinking, open (she just said it was closed down)… When I say open I do not mean that they were welcome by any means. I mean that this location was not particularly monitored 24/7 well and people were finding ways to come through the mountain, accessing it.
If you look on the internet at many posts about this place you will see people trying to trespass to explore, damaging things and blatantly showing disrespect.
People broke things, tore through things, stole things and I’m sure much more.
I will say I do not condone this behavior AT ALL. I think that we should respect history, the mountains and honestly things that DO NOT BELONG TO YOU.
That being said, I will continue on, but remember THIS IS FROM MANY MANY YEARS AGO with permission. DO NOT seek this property without going through the proper channels to see it the correct way.
When I went to ghost town it was like a second world just sitting there. Sitting there in its awe, where it was just left, abandoned.
It was just like you would imagine an old ghost town would be. It had the asthetic of the “ghost town” you would think out of the movies..
The first thing I noted when we entered was where the sky lift ended. When you enter the sky lift is to your left. Past the skylight is the only big rollar coaster that sits there, with its yellow beauty. Near this roller coaster is the loading area and other buildings.
To the right of the sky lift was a building and the path that leads up to the mid level of the park.
On the lower level I observed what looked like an old haunted house. There was a hearse sitting out front with an awesome paint job for the house. Unfortunately the bad apples damaged it breaking out windows. The car sat there out front as I’m sure it did many times over the years while it was operational.
As you traveled up to the mid level or the park there was more buildings and to the left was what I called the main level. It had the old buildings that lined each side of a dirt road and wrapped around.
This was what I saw when we walked up near the mid level, near this was the railroad tracks the old train still sat on. One thing I love is old trains, even if it’s tiny trains.
Walking through the ghost town was incredible. There was so much to see. We looked through the windows admiring the old beauty.
There was a layer of fog/mist that stood over this part of the town that day. It added to the old mystery of the town.
Just sitting there in the mountain fog, resting silently and in its old glory.
The buildings were incredible. Looking at the structure and how they designed the area. Some places had been broken open due to the absoultely disrespectful trespassers.
Walking through this level it had beautiful views and a beautiful little white church at the end. I imagined that back in the day they could have church there watching over the mountain edge. Hearing the word of God.
The next area that I remember seeing years ago was the mid level other portion and that tracked to the top portion.
I saw the old pieces of history just sitting there. Imagining the employees running around having the time of their lives acting like they do at other theme parks with a actual “theme”.
Old roller coasters just sitting there. Nature growing up around it where it no longer moves and carries screaming kids having fun.
The old wires still laying there and the mechanics that once made this ride run. rotting away.
After I passed the small roller coaster I saw where other old rides had to sit that they removed to use elsewhere I assume.
I was many buildings that looked like they once housed entertainment for families.
Walking around I observed more things in the upper area that still remained.
There were rides still sitting there like they had never been touched before.
From this area you could see beautiful views of the North Carolina mountains.
This whole area is breathtaking as it just sits there abandoned in the sky. Silently resting in the clouds where many people don’t even know what lies above them.
After you have read this blog, I hope that you have a snippet more about history now in your brain.
I will say again, we had permission from the previous owner. The guard allowed us in with her permission. Do not seek this property, appreciate the history that you have been given and respect whoever owns this property now.
As always. Remember, respect the Earth. Respect nature. And #LeaveNoTracesBehind.
You can learn more about the location from the below sites!
- https://www.romanticasheville.com/ghost_town.htm
- https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.loveexploring.com/galleries/amp/91788/inside-the-eerie-abandoned-theme-park-full-of-secrets
- https://www.thesmokies.com/when-will-ghost-town-in-the-sky-reopen/
Much Love, B.
Discover The Road To NoWhere. What is the mystery?
Travel date: September 2016 & August 2020
Written by: Brandy Caitlyn
Many of us in life have the urge to travel and find places that are different, unique and mysterious. You may want to see things that wouldn’t be the “normal”.
So, what’s is the blog about today? The mysterious “Road to No Where”. It sounds intriguing, I know!
Most asked questions just might be;
- Does it really go no where?
- What’s so special about it?
- How old is it?
- What does it look like?
This blog will give you anything you need to know about the “Road to Nowhere” and what to expect if you decide to take on this adventure. I will give you my experiences for you to have a first hand scoop.
My travel dates were in September 2016 and August 2020. This is a wide range of days between my visits, but it seems this place just sits in the same timezone throughout the years.
The Road to Nowhere is literally a road that is placed in the North Carolina mountains. The road winds through the mountain past amazing views and beautiful nature. The road then just “ends” at a tunnel.
When you get to the “end” of the road you will see a small parking lot off to the right where you can park your vehicles that you traveled with. The reason for this parking lot is because the rest of the Road to Nowhere is impassible by vehicle and only accessible by foot.
You will see that they have polls blocking the road for vehicles to not enter the remainder of the road that enters into the tunnel.
Knowledge Bomb Block
- The Road to Nowhere is located in the North Carolina mountains, just outside a small town named Bryson City.
- The road to Nowhere is in the “Smokey mountain national park”.
- They have a famous sign posted that says “The Road to Nowhere – A Promise Broken”.
- This road is a result of an instance that occurred in the 1930s-1940s. The government created the Fontana Damn and the national park on Swain county land. They drowned towns and roads to create this damn area. The government promised that they would create a separate road (the Road to Nowhere) for families to travel on and other individuals. The families were relying on this road to see their families cemetery and plots.
- To this day the employees of the park, do still take the families over the lake to see their families plots.
- The road to nowhere could not be finished due to difficulties and the production was stopped many years ago.
My Personal Experience
I have two separate experiences of this location but they are very similar. The first time I went with some family and the second time I took my sweet boyfriend AP.
Me and my boyfriend set out on an adventure to see the road to nowhere. He had never seen it before!
We throughly enjoyed the road that winds through the mountain admiring the view and the sites along the way.
As we approached the road to nowhere we parked at the little lot next to the point you cannot drive anymore. We got out to track into the area!
While we parked we saw backpackers getting ready to go deep into the Forrest and camp.
We also saw the national forest rangers saving a sweet baby bear that was sickly. They had placed it into a transport device and were carrying it out of the woods.
They advised many people reported the bear and it lead them to helping it!
When we started walking up to the road to nowhere it was nothing you would ever imagine. It is massive, it towers over you in it’s beauty and age!
We climbed up the front of it through the woods to stand on top of the front! It was nature filled and interesting.
We walked through the tunnel admiring the graffiti and laughing at the things people put. We looked at the foundation cracking above us and the dirt ground we were walking on.
After we walked through the long tunnel we exited out of the other side. Looking out you see a dirt path that just winds away from you.
We went up to the top of the other end of the tunnel, this was easier to walk up on. It is very high in the air and just awesome to experience!
The best part? You don’t have to pay! You can just see it and all of its beauty!
We took our time exploring and enjoying the view. We didn’t walk out like the backpackers but one day it would be awesome to try! Even though it is a road to nowhere it may always end to something.
My boyfriend described his experience as;
Unique and that it is a great piece of history with a great story.
Exploring the road to nowhere with my boyfriend was my best experience. Having a person that you travel with and enjoy life is unbeatable.
I always advocate for people to get out there and find new places to explore and enjoy. If you see wildlife that seems sick or injured (or hanging out near people areas a lot) reach out to the Forrest rangers so they can check on the animal.
As always, respect the earth. Respect nature. And #LeaveNoTracesBehind
Much love, B.
References;
All things Endometriosis 📌
Hello lovely ladies (and gents if you decide to dive into some different topics!)
This blog is going to be about all things Endometriosis. This is a disease that effects women and can be very challenging for the women that it effects.
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❗️🛑 DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A DOCTOR, I AM NOT CERTIFIED IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. I CAN ONLY OFFER KNOWLEDGE I HAVE, THINGS I HAVE LEARNED, FACTS. AND MY WORD ❗️🛑
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So let’s dive right in!
I want to start off by saying I was requested to blog about this topic by someone very close to my heart that suffers from this. Endometriosis is very real as is other disorders! I am so thankful to be tasked with something so important.
Endometriosis is a disorder that you can’t see from the naked eye. It doesn’t scream out to you like other disorders can.
Women walk around every day with this disorder and unless they openly speak about it or you’re the diagnosing team you may never know that they are fighting with this.
💣 KNOWLEDGE BOMB BLOCK 💣
Endometriosis is often a very painful disorder
Endometriosis is when “tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside uterus – the endometrium – grow outside your uterus.”
“Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.”
“With endometriosis, the endometrial-like tissue acts as endometrial tissue would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But because this tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped.”
“When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form.”
All the above information comes from a creditable site,
SO, LETS BREAK THIS DOWN!
The first thing I put in the “knowledge bomb” section was that this disorder can be painful. PAINFUL!!!
It can cause pelvic pain, painful periods, pain with sex, pain peeing or deficating. The list goes on with different things for this disorder.
Could you imagine? From the outside you look normal. you look like any other women who is walking around, but you aren’t. On the inside you feel like you’re being ripped apart. Your body feels like it is fighting you from the inside. Your “temple” feels like it suddenly hates you or constantly depending on how bad the disorder (or what is going on down there) is in each different person.
…. And pain during sexual activity??? No women wants to hurt while they are suppose to be enjoying their bodies wonders and their partner or mate that day.
I know whoever you are may be just reading this and thinking, phew glad that isn’t me. I just want you to remember that if it isn’t you SOMEONE SUFFERS FROM THIS. So be considerate if someone says they are hurting, having discomfort or whatever the case. They really could feel like their body is battling them from the inside.
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
The next thing I placed in the “Knowledge bomb section” was about tissues. No, not like Kleenex tissues but vaginal tissues.
Vaginal tissues you say? YES! Many people don’t know that so many things can go on down there in the lady bits! BUTTTTT it sure can.
So vaginal tissue usually grows inside the uterus…. But with this disorder it grows outside. I don’t know about you but just thinking about that I hurt. So imagine how these ladies feel?
They say that it normally effects your ovaries, Fallopian tubes and the tissues lining your pelvis. That it rarely spreads. That doesn’t mean that it can’t!
I imagine women are worried about the “what if’s”. I know their can be so many of those two words that come into your head. I don’t want you to panic though. If you think that something could be going on, go see your lady doctor. They will make sure you’re okay and if you have anything abnormal they always try to help!
I also mentioned that the tissue acts like a more normal tissue (I don’t want to say just normal because what is normal?). The point is the tissue breaks down or tries to just like a “regular period” or you could say the red waterfall, Mrs. Flow, Satans flood (whatever you like to call it, jokingly or professional). The problem?? The tissue gets trapped so it doesn’t have a way to exit your body.
That sounds absoultly scary. I know it does! No denying it. All I can say, if you feel like something is not right, see your doctor!
⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
The final thing in the “knowledge bomb” section was about ovaries and cysts.
When endometriosis occurs on your ovaries, which is the female reproductive organ in your body (I call it your baby making machine) it can cause cysts. The cysts that occur are called “endometriomas”.
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Another hard thing that can come with endometriosis is fertility issues. This is every women’s night mare. Most of us dream about being mothers. Thinking that could be taken away is a hard thing. Like I’ve said a few times, speak to your doctor. Tell them your fears, tell them everything. If they are a good doctor they will do all they can to help and get answers. I know mine did for my situation 💕
So I have dropped some hard words (or facts) on you, I know. Sometimes it isn’t easy to read about stuff like this. Especially if you relate to it.
I want to make sure that whoever you are reading this. That you know;
- You’re important.
- You’re beautiful
- You’re loving
- You’re kind
- You’re perfect the way you are
- You’re uniquely YOU 💕
I know first hand struggling with a disorder, abnormal pregnancy or whatever your struggle is, is HARD.
There are days that you don’t want to fight anymore. There are days you ask why me? There are days you just are so confused.
But YOU! Yes YOU, have a PURPOSE. You’re mean’t to be on this amazing rotating ball they called earth and you have a calling.
So, never forget that you are worth it! Never forget that people love you. Always remember YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
Quote from my personal friend
“It’s a pain I wouldn’t want anyone to feel I honestly felt like I was giving birth again but it was a cyst on my right ovary”
“Every 6 weeks I went for a ultrasound and the cyst would get bigger”
“because it got bigger each time they diagnosed me with endometriosis”
I will close this blog out by saying, thank you for being you. The maker above made us all beautiful. I am always here for anyone to speak too and there are many other women as well.
To the ones reading this that do not suffer from this. Please be considerate of others. Believe them when they say they are in pain. Try to understand their situation. It is real ❗️
Stay beautiful. Stay strong. Stand tall.
Links for you to look at❗️
Much love, B
A Travel Loving Momma 