Traveling, Life, Nature, Love
Travel Date: July 2019
Written by: Brandy Caitlyn
Welcome back if you’re keeping up with all the amazing places to travel! If you’re new HELLOOOO, and welcome to the journey!
Today I am writing about Grandfather mountain and the Mile high swinging bridge!
Continue reading “Travel Edition 8: Mile High Swinging Bridge & Grandfather mountain”The question is… what is “The Devils courthouse”? Is it hot? Is it beautiful? Is it bad?
Read this blog to find all the in’s and outs of a beautiful place called “The Devils courthouse”. Don’t let the devil push you away from this!
Travel Date: September 2018
Written by: Brandy Caitlyn
Hello!
Welcome back if you have been following some of my blogs! If not, you totally should 💋, it’s worth it!
To start off, I am an avid hiker who just loves to travel to new places. I cherish the earth, nature and anything the maker above has given us.
My blog today is going to be about a unique location in the North Carolina mountains. Specifically Balsam Grove North Carolina.
Some people don’t like super hard hikes, bugs or the outdoors in general. This place though? It won’t disappoint! Just trust me! Let your brain, eyes and senses dive into the beauty!
Sneak peek picture below 📌
What does that mean?
In the United States 1 in 1000 pregnancies (less than 1 percent) are the pregnancy I had.
Every day women want to conceive and have their own blessings of joy. Women go through so much to sometime see just one line. To just two lines and then the babies gone so quickly or two lines and never a baby.
When you’re a young women growing and maturing people hardly tell you the challenges you will face just being a women.
Women face so many battles. Even just a period can be a huge battle because our bodies are all DIFFERENT.
You read that right! DIFFERENT. Some women may have hardly any symptoms. Some women may have raging hormones. Some women may bleed till it’s almost unhealthy while others just bleed a day. It all depends on your bodies uniqueness.
And you say… what is she talking about? Why is she taking about women’s bodies? Why is she talking about infertility?
Because. I am part of the one percent.
So here is MY story.
Continue reading “I am the 1 percent.”Travel Date: July 2019
Written by: Brandy Caitlyn
Hello! Hello! Hello!
This blog will solely be about the Spinx Rock!
I know what you’re thinking… really she’s writing about a rock? She’s weird. But hear me out before you just click off. Not everything may be your “thing” but many people travel the world to see “weird” or as I like to say unique and different things.
So here is my take on this and the history I found!
My stepmother and I went out on an adventure to Grandfather Mountain for this adventure. It was several hours from the house but worth the drive!
ALWAYS a shout out to my awesome stepmom who jumps on these journeys with me!
SOOOO!!!
I stumbled upon this Rock when I was going to Grandfather Mountain to the swinging bridge (a blog about this later will be released). The rock was in a curve as we headed to the top of the mountain!
So of course me being me I had to stop and investigate!
When we initially stopped I didn’t know the rock had its own name and history. I just saw a unique rock I wanted to explore.
So we parked my jeep, hopped out and started looking around. This is when I found the sign with its name across the road from the rock. The sign is in the trees!
THIS ROCK IS SUPPOSEDLY OVER 650 MILLION YEARS OLD!!
What did I see? I saw a massive rock. A rock that sits on the edge of the road and mountain. A rock that has history. A piece of the earth that has sat for ages and moved, shifted, cracked and settled. A rock that many people would just drive by because, “it’s just a rock”. I saw this rock as earths beauty. The makers beauty that he created.
INFORMATION:
The Sphinx rock is located on Grandfather mountain. Grandfather M un ountain is located in the amazing Blue Ridge Mountains. You do have to pay a fee to get into the park but it’s worth it, trust me! They will give you information at the entrance to the area and then you can drive alone and listen to an informational CD (my vehicle didn’t have a CD PLAYER so I didn’t get to utilize this).
The drive up this mountain to the Spinx rock and many other options it has is breath taking and amazing. It’s like you can’t believe your eyes. There are some overlooks you can pull off at and see the beauties of the earth from and snap some pictures!
I found the below insert from a informational site and couldn’t believe the history so I had to share with you guys!
“ So, just where did they come from? The most likely origin of the Split Rock and the Sphinx Rock was the top of Grandfather Mountain. Thousands, maybe millions of years ago, the boulders broke from the upper outcrops on Grandfather Mountain and fell (rolled?) to their current resting places. Before arriving at their current locations the rocks were most likely underwater. The type of rock (metaconglomerate) also means they were created millions of years ago as a stream bed in a previous mountain formation that likely pre-dated the current Appalachians. Unlike the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, “
How cool right?? A North Carolina Staple that’s possibly MILLIONS of years old. Who wouldn’t want to say they saw that once in their life time??
Now it isn’t covered in gems, glittery or anything fancy. Yes it’s just a rock… BUTTTTTT … Nature lovers, history lovers, explorers and more may just want to see this historic rock!
I did climb the rock and go through the cracks some! But I ALWAYS say, DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, as did I!
It was incredible (of course my opinion) and I couldn’t believe I was staring at a rock that old!!
These are photos of my exploring into cracks in the rock!
After exploring cracks in the rock I explored the top of the rock! On both sides of course, one side isn’t pictured because we were trying to make sure we didn’t fall.
Looking back at these pictures makes me want to go again. Because It is amazing how the earth is created and the pieces on this huge ball spinning in space. The views from here are also beautiful!
I hope that my explorations inspire others to explore, discover and love this earth as much as I do.
And as always remember, Respect the earth, respect nature and #LeaveNoTracesBehind.
REFERENCES:
Much Love, B.
My Travel Date: July 2015
Hello!! Hopefully again 🥰.
As I lay in bed tonight thinking of some of my favorite trips I have taken to share. Niagara Falls came Into my mind.
My trip to Niagara Falls was a family trip back in 2015! We all packed into a vehicle ans headed from North Carolina to New York and Canada.
The drive??
Felt like it took forever. The type of forever that the annoying song “99 bottles of beer on the wall…” sounds interesting.
Sound familiar? Just those long rides you feel like are taking way longer than it should.
After what seemed like forever…
Which was just hours we made it to the American side of Niagara Falls.
We settled into a hotel and relaxed. The hotel wasn’t anything special but was enough!
The next day we went down and explored the American side of the falls. We got onto a cute little boat that went close to the falls and mist. It was absoultly BEAUTIFUL. you got soaked by the mist so the hot summer day felt so good!
We also stood on the “Hurricane Deck Cave of the Winds”. Letting the water pour down on you! We had these cute yellow rain covers, but best believe you were still drenched.
The next thing we did was venture to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls! We went to shops, the Harley dealer and explored all around!
GUESS WHAT! This was my first time OUT of the United States and I was having so much fun&
One cool place that we went was a Resturant that rotated in the air!!
YESSSSS rotates!! Us ladies got all dressed up and went to a fancy dinner in the sky. The Resturant name is the “Skylon Tower”. The tower over looks the Niagara Falls on the Canadian side.
Food? It was amazing but of course pricey. It was of course more than worth it just for the experience.
P.S. they had Creme Brûlée as dessert at the time and it’s one of my favoritessss.
Of course we stayed until evening time and got to see the falls light up.
I LOVED IT!!
Who doesn’t love a bunch of vibrant colors on some massive roaring falls.
Getting into Canada wasn’t an issue for us (with passports of course). We had more trouble getting into the US more than anything. All in all? Everything went smoothly and I’ll just say they were very THOUROUGH.
Would I go again? Absoultley. The views were breath taking and the experience was amazing. Usually it is a once in the lofe time experience (in my opinion).
So as always, all of this is my experiences and opinions!
Remember respect the earth. Respect nature. Explore. And #LeaveNoTracesBehind
The pictures below are ones I took myself on my iPhone! I love always catching the beautiful rainbows!
References!
Much Love, B
My travel date: July 2019
Skinny Dip Falls, catchy name right? Who doesn’t love some skinny dipping?
BUTTTTTTTTT let’s not get ahead of ourselves. That’s just the name PLEASE keep your clothes ONNNNNN (or bathing suits). Families hike to this, kids and people don’t want to see the “birthday suit”.
So, research tells you,
I picked this hike for me, my little hiking pup “bugs” and step mom to do on a warm day. I figured a 1 mile hike wouldn’t be to bad for someone with semi bad knees (the stepmom) and the old hiking pup.
Shoutout to my amazing stepmom for being awesome and always being on board to join my adventures!
I enjoyed the walk to the falls personally and of course all of this is like always, my personal experience.
My pup did not struggle either. She had the time of her life! I will say that the paths were narrow and that I pulled my pup to the side several times to let others go by, especially that also had pups.
My pup is of course super sweet but I am always cautious. I would hate to have a horror story happen where another dog latches on to my girl. She is older and paced herself also slower than others sometimes (which is to totally okay, cause she’s living her best life)
The hike was peaceful and I didn’t feel rushed at all. I enjoyed the terrain and that a lot of the areas were more shaded (I sweat, yes a women that sweats. A LOT) but not on this hike!
When you arrive to the falls there are stairs. You can go down to the water and swim or just bask in the sun. You can also take a bridge (that is safe) across to the falls side. Just always remember be cautious and careful.
The water was cold but refreshing on a warm day. I definatly recommend this hike. It’s good for beginners, people with fur babies or possibly even some children.
AGAIN, just my opinion.
Finally, remember respect the earth, nature, others and #LeaveNoTraceBehind
Now!! See some pictures of this amazing piece of earth. I hope you enjoy the beauty that’s created.
As always, references are below!
Much love, B
My travel date: September 2019
I want to start off by saying this plane crash is important. Someone lost their life in this crash. A family lost a loved one. So, that being said ultimately if you try to find this. HAVE RESPECT. Don’t be like the ones that damaged the plane and left their mark.
The most important part of hiking and nature is #LeavingNoTraceBehind. Respect the earth and love what was given to us by the creator.
NOWWWW, to jump in!!
I saw this hike on a website (I will list below) and in a hiking social media group. As soon as I saw it knew I had to go find it! Your first thought is, how cool right? Yes, plane crashes are intriguing but remember what I said above, respect!
I immediately started searching. I found the following in my search (and again reference sites are at the bottom)
After researching about the location and information of this hike I traveled to it.
The drive to Waterrock knob overlook was BEAUTIFUL! When I arrived I took in the breath taking views from the parking lot. I started my adventure by walking to the top of Waterrock Knob and again BREATH TAKING. I sat and relaxed, took in the views and just enjoyed the nature.
After enjoying the top of Waterrock Knob I began to search for the entry point of the hike to the place crash. It is kind of tricky to find honestly! I located it at the base of stairs almost to the top of the initial hike.
As you’re going up it is to the left of the bast of the stairs area! When I was trying to find it I did walk past it several times.
The trail had grown up slightly (on my visit).
After I found it I started the journey, and PHEW it was by no means easy. I struggled, I took breaks, I sweated and I concurred the hike. I climbed over things and had to absoultly use a lot of my muscles. As I was hiking there were marks on trees to help guide you, and thank goodness.
Through my hike I got to see nature, grass as high as me, stair into what felt like an abyss of trees that went on and on.
I kept hiking along and then suddenly I stumbled across the wreckage. It took my breath away. It was my first plane crash I had ever seen in person.
I was there by myself initially. Walking up and seeing this view was so erie. It was almost like it wasn’t real. The plane was old, torn apart, damaged and quietly sitting there with its parts spread down the mountain. It was just sitting there, like it had been for many many years.
I walked around it observing it’s old unique beauty. Imagining it before the crash. Imagining the victims enjoying their plane and lives before it was lost. The plane souring in the sky. The people flying pointing out things from the sky.
Looking at the plane almost all the insides were gone or shredded. No Seats. So I stood and imagined what it would have been like climbing I to the plane. Probably sitting down with excitement to know you get to fly.
As I walked around the plane I saw vandalism on the side. Where someone pointed their names on the plane and damaged it more. I felt upset for the people that lost their lives, because this was their last resting grounds before they were moved. They deserve respect.
I documented the site that I saw, and a rainbow appeared in my photo and a blue “light”.
The sun and the sky made a beautiful photo happen.
The blue light some people might call an “orb” or some people might call it a reflection. Either way, it is beautiful.
If the light is the people who were lost, I wanted to know I respected their last resting grounds.
Overall, I would recommend if you want to take this adventure to wear good shoes, bring lots of water and tell someone where you are going. It will NOT be easy. It is dangerous. You could get lost (it goes off the beaten path). So, RESEARCH.
And ultimately (AND ALWAYSSS)
Respect the earth. Respect the nature. Respect the plane crash. Respect the lives that were lost.
Enjoy some photos that I took that show this beautiful piece of history🛩
Reference sites below 📌
Much Love, B!
My Travel Date: Multiple times (I’ve gone many times over the years)
Sliding rock is such a classic. I remember going growing up with my family multiple times. I also went as I started to get older.
Every time I have gone the water has been Freezing. It honestly takes your breath away, but something about that cold mountain water does take your breath away every time (and I mean not just the chilly ness but the beauty)
I know I know it’s cold you say, butttt why wouldn’t someone enjoy sliding down a natural rock on running water! You slide down the rock and splash into a cold pool of water. You can experience something many people don’t their whole lives. Something people dream of doing! Right here in the NC mointains.
If you cannot swim I DO NOT recommend attempting this. I always want everyone to be safe, happy and healthy.
Below is a video of me personally sliding down the rock and into the deep pool. I am a very experienced swimmer and have been for a long time. So again please be cautions and don’t attempt if you cannot swim.
The research that I’ve done on sliding rock and obtains are below (as always my references are at the bottom of the blog)
I of course recommend doing sliding rock once in your life time. Because we only live once right? Or some would say we only live once! Just do it safely!
As always respext the earth. Respect nature. Be safe and #LeaveNoTraceBehind
References
Finally, the above is all my experience and my thoughts. Other then the Information listed from a site that is provided. Please seek any hikes or adrenaline things at your own risk, as did I.
Much love, B
Hello!
This first blog I will be posting is more about me for you to get to know me some!
I am 24 years old, small in stature and full of love and positive vibes!
I grew up in the state of North Carolina! I frequented the North Carolina mountains since I was born. My father growing up always kept our Native American heritage going in the family. He taught me so much about my family heritage, the Cherokee tribe and more.
From the time I was born I listened to native sounds created by the Cherokee to put me to sleep. My mother created many dream catchers to place in my rooms growing up. As I got older I began to create non traditional dream catchers for my niece, nephew and other friends children when they were born.
Growing up my family loves to travel! We traveled to many places in North Carolina, up and down the east coast.
I graduated high school and began a career as a dispatcher at 19 years old. I set out on life wanting to help others and help people through hard times.
At 21 I became a police officer where I hope I made positive impacts on the people I encountered. I helped save lives, investigate cases and more. I never imagined myself achieving this.
I met the love of my life at 23 years old, his name is “AP”. He taught me a lot about relationships. He taught me a lot about myself. I learned how it feels to love someone to “the universe and back” as I say. He stood by me through hard times and good times.
At the age of 24 I became a forensics technician. I always dreamed to follow after my father who worked in forensics for over 10+ years. I achieved this goal in 2021!
I started blogging in the beginning of 2021 on another site and something in me says to keep going. 2020 was a hard year for myself and many others. So I just want to continue what I love to do. I love spreading joy and happiness.
So I hope whoever finds themselves on my blog page finds everything they are looking for. From guidance, trips you may want to take, things about nature and the earth or even just a person similar to you that also struggles some days!
Much Love, B
A Travel Loving Momma