Author @carriehanrahanphotography

Victoria Valley Vineyards, SC via The Cradle of Forestry, NC

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A Forest Exploration and then a little wine!

A short 4 mile drive off of the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina will lead you to The Cradle of Forestry.

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 Blue Ridge Parkway views

This American Heritage Site is the location of the first School of Forestry in the United States.  The Biltmore Forest School was founded in 1898 by Dr. Carl A. Schenck on the property of Biltmore Estate owned by George W. Vanderbilt.

The location in the Southern Appalachian Mountains was perfect for Dr. Schenck to operate his “practical forestry” school.  A native of Germany, he believed that a hands on approach paired with classroom learning was the best way to create knowledgeable foresters.  The US Forest Service and The Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association jointly manage the 6500 acre historic site.

Forest Discovery Center

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Biltmore Campus Trail

A historic 1 mile paved trail that has many original buildings to the Biltmore Forest School.

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The trail includes a tunnel under the road above.

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The Ranger’s Dwelling constructed in 1882 housed Vanderbilts rangers and 8 forestry students.

Peaceful paved trail
Golden ragwort

Rock House Creek Lodge and Cantrell Creek Lodge are two Black Forest Lodges.  These lodges are post and beam construction and built imitating the architecture of Germany’s Black Forest lodges.

Rock House Creek Lodge
Cantrell Creek Lodge
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Interior of Cantrell Creek Lodge

The Forest Festival Trail

A peaceful trail with the sounds and smells of a vibrant forest with active study sites.

On the way to the trail you pass the Moon Tree.  The seed for this tree orbited the moon in 1971 with astronaut Stuart Roosa, a former Forest Service smoke jumper.

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Peaceful pond and retaining area.

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Life and decay!

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Forest of beauty

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A trial area to see what grows best.

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Pink flags mark newly planted trees.

A 1914 Climax logging locomotive was restored and brought to the site to teach about the logging industry.

Unfortunately, the school closed in 1913.

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After a morning of exploring, I was off to Victoria Valley Vineyards in Cleveland, South Carolina.  This European styled vineyard and “chateau” is a perfect place to relax and enjoy some wine.

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Victoria Valley Vineyard

European styled “chateau” awaits you

Unique flights for wine tasting.
Stunning interior in the tasting room

Unique wine tasting flights.            Stunning tasting room!

Beautiful views from the outdoor patio.

To create your own forest adventure, check out http://www.cradleofforestry.com

Head to http://www.victoriavalleyvineyards.com to plan your next outing.

 

Yosemite Magic

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So Easy to Fall in Love With!

If you don’t already have a love affair with the outdoors, Yosemite will be the place to start one.  You can feel the magic of Yosemite all around when you enter the park.  From the grandeur of the mountains to the pounding of the waterfalls to the peace in the meadows, you can feel the history and wilderness calling your name.  It doesn’t matter the season because they are all beautiful, though I do recommend spring or winter for fewer crowds.

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There are many names associated with Yosemite National Park, but two come to mind most frequently.  First, John Muir, who lobbied for the creation of Yosemite.  He inspired others to protect natural areas for the beauty and ecological importance of an area.  With his help and persuasion, Yosemite became a National Park in 1890. As president of the Sierra Club, his travel and writing was a huge influence in the wilderness community.  Second, Ansel Adams whose stunning photographic work within the park is known worldwide.  He saw Yosemite as art and not just nature and was able to capture these images with an uncanny ability.

Let us start your love affair!!

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The iconic Half Dome is a recognized rock formation that many take on the challenge to climb.

 

 

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Yosemite Chapel is the oldest structure in the Yosemite Valley and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Mist Trail Hike to Vernal Falls

A strenuous, but beautiful 2.4 mile hike.  Getting to the top is so worth it!

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The over 600 stairs on the steep granite stairway!

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Vernal Falls rainbow

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Looking down over the 317 foot tall waterfall.

 

Mirror Lake Loop trail is a moderate 2 mile hike in the Yosemite Valley

Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul    -John Muir

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The beautiful Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Yosemite Valley trails amazing pines.

In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration. -Ansel Adams

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Amazing explorations with my son and travel buddy!

To start your exploration of Yosemite, go to http://www.nps/gov/yose

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of my blog. Thanks!

A Tennessee and Kentucky Tasting!

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Road trips take you to the best places!

Who doesn’t love a road trip!  It doesn’t matter if I have a destination or if I wander aimlessly and end up at a great place.  The journey is always the fun part and where I end up is usually a surprise.  On a couple of road trips, I travelled through Tennessee and Kentucky.   I stopped at a few vineyards and wineries along the way.  Hopefully I can inspire you to journey to a few new places of your own.

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Stonehaus Wines are the featured wine of the Grand Ole Opry and a great accompaniment to blogging! They are located in Crossville, TN.

Located just off the Hwy in Crossville, TN.

Dry, Semi-Dry, and Sweet wines
Beautiful wall mural.
Spacious tasting room.

Onto a neat little place in Bybee, TN, even in the rain!

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Outdoor tasting area
A beautiful country drive.
Winery and tasting room
Stunning vineyard.

Next, was a winery close to Mammoth Cave National Park in Park City, KY.

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The tasting room is in the lower level and there are great views!

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A pretty vineyard onsite.

Who wouldn’t stop at a place called the Purple Toad Winery!  I found this one in Paducah, KY

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Tasting room.
An onsite vineyard.
A little toad whimsy.
Award winning sweet, dry, and semi-sweet wines.

To discover more about any of these vineyards and wineries, check out their websites below:

http://www.stonehauswinery.com

http://www.chestnuthillwinery.com

http://www.goodwatervineyards.com

http://www.kentuckywine.com

http://www.purpletoadwinery.com

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

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Where the River FloodsCongaree-2

South Carolina’s first and only National Park is an amazing adventure.  Congaree was named a National Monument in 1976 and then a National Park in 2003.  It is also a National Natural Landmark, an International Biosphere Reserve, and a Globally Important Bird Area.  This floodplain forest is flooded approximately 10 times a year by the Congaree River and has several of the tallest bald cypress trees in the world.  You can walk the wooden boardwalk trail, which can be flooded at different times of the year, hike trails, or go canoeing or kayaking.  Which ever you choose you are in for a magical and mystical exploration.

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Fancy footwork on the flooded boardwalk!
The boardwalk sits close to the flooding.
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The flooded forest floor is full of “knees” from the roots of trees.

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Bald Cypress Trees reach for the sky.

A little insect life.
The “knees” of the roots.
A boardwalk challenge

To learn more about Congaree National Park and plan your adventure go to http://www.nps.gov/cong

Beachaven Vineyards & Winery, Clarksville, TN

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A Judge, his Wine and a Winery!

Just off of Highway 24 in Clarksville, Tennessee sits a vineyard and winery started by Judge William O. Beach.  After helping to revive the wine industry in that state, he took his amateur wine making skills and decided to open a vineyard and winery.  The result is a wonderful stop that has award winning wines, an active event schedule, and a beautiful display of artwork by a former employee that shows his dedication to the vineyard.

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A colorful entrance

Just a few of the 500 awards over 23 years.

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The property

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Self guided tour explaining the Champagne process

A Labor of Love!

The ends of many barrels were carved by the vineyard pruner!  An incredible artist that was able to bring to life the sketches that he drew.  It makes an incredible display.

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Outdoor event space
A final goodbye

I hope you are inspired to have an adventure and head to Beachaven Vineyards & Winery!

To learn more, please go to http://www.beachavenwinery.com

Parker-Binns Vineyard and Winery, Mill Spring, NC

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Sunday Funday

A trip to this quirky, beautiful farm on one of their Sunday Funday’s is a great way to meet new friends and celebrate a day off.  “Retired” couple, Karen and Bob Binns, have taken their farming background and created a new passion.  The farm has a stunning view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is warm and inviting and the wines are outstanding.  Take a break and head to Western North Carolina’s Tryon Foothills for a relaxing surprise.  You may even spend the day!!

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Blue Ridge Mountain View!

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A little Sangria anyone!

Tasting line up.
Tasting list
Sunday Funday Pizza!!
A little history
Beautiful labels.
Tasting Room
Tasting Room

A cozy tasting room with a cute shopping area.

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Want to know more about Parker-Binns Vineyard, head to their website at    www.parker-binnsvineyard.com to plan your weekend getaway.

South Dakota Adventure

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A Peek into South Dakota

With 6 National Park sites and 56 State Parks and recreational sites, you will never be bored in South Dakota.  A road trip to this amazing area can last several weeks if you have the time.  Since I didn’t, I will share with you just a look at a few of its offerings to start you dreaming of your next vacation.

A drive to the Black Hills led us to Badlands National Park.

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Beautiful rock formations reach to the sky!

We continued on to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.

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George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln have been amazingly sculptured into the stone.

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It took 14 years for this man to sculpt Mr. Rushmore!
Even from miles away, the detail is amazing.

It took fourteen years for the sculptor to create Mt. Rushmore.  Even from miles away, the detail is amazing to see.

We continued on to Custer State Park and the beauty of Sylvan Lake and its rock formations.                    

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A drive on Needle’s Hwy and throughout the area captured tons of beauty!

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We finished our trip with a visit to Crazy Horse Memorial.

This stone sculpture is in honor of Lakota Indian leader Crazy Horse and work began in 1948 by Korczak Ziolkowski.  It is still being worked on today by his children and grandchildren.  The Mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.

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Detailed rendition of the finished product.

Tunnel view of work being done.
Sculpting continues on a daily basis.

Hopefully you are inspired to plan your own adventure to the Black hills and bad lands of South Dakota.

d’Art Wines, Lodi, CA

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For Art and Wine

To experience d’Art Wines, you will need to travel to the Lodi AVA in the central valley of California.  An ideal growing region that has warm days and cool delta breezes at night is home to this beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon Estate.  While there, enjoy a glass of Final Cut, a blend of Tempranillo, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah. Then stroll the tasting room to view the winemakers photoart that also adorns the wine bottles.

 

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Every inch of the property is put to use.

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Meticulously maintained vines.

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Barrels full of art, inside and out!

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Antique transportation is great advertising.

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Barrels are everywhere.

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Pathway to wine greatness.

To experience the art experience check out http://www.dartwines.com to plan your own trip.

 

Stone Hill Winery, Hermann, MO

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Preserving History!

A recent road trip took me to the quaint town of Hermann, MO, where I found Stone Hill Winery.  The winery, Missouri’s oldest, was established in 1847.  Prohibition caused the destruction of equipment and vineyards, but in 1965 it was purchased and restored.

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On the National Register of Historic Places

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The vineyards used to cover the town!

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The cellar tour was like walking back in time.  The underground cellars are the largest series in North America and were hand dug over 25 years.

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Endless rows of barrels

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Original bottles of wine

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The original cellar room
History in a bottle!

I hope you are inspired to make your own road trip to Hermann, Missouri!

To make plans to visit, check their website at: http://www.stonehillwinery.com

When Your Hard Drive Dies, You Improvise!!

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The Blue Ridge Parkway, NC to Vaso de Vino

Maybe destroying my hard drive wasn’t the worst thing to happen today.  Note to self- don’t set a magnet anywhere near the computer.  Having to pause and rethink how I was going to post today also made me re-evaluate how and what I want my blog to be.

My intent is to create a mood and visual experience that makes my readers say, ” I want to see, to taste, to go, or to experience that myself.”  Every adventure is a very personal experience and I am hoping to jump start that area of your brain that seeks adventure and wants to go exploring.

Since “pictures are worth a thousand words” and I love to take them, this is the best way for me to help you with that journey.  I am able to capture a moment in time that will show you all the wonderful adventures that are waiting for you.

I hope that you can travel with me and experience many magical and amazing places, vineyards, National Parks, and wineries through my eyes and start plans to visit yourself.

Here we go!!!

On a rainy day, I decided to drive a portion of The Blue Ridge Parkway just outside of Asheville, NC.

 

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Fog settles in during the rain

 

Rainy Drive
Stunning views
Mystery of the Road

A Mysterious Looking Fog Blankets the Road

 

Tree covered in damp moss
Leaf covered roads
After the rain clears

When the rain ends

  After my drive, I needed a break and headed to Vaso de Vino Wine Market in Arden, NC.  A great place to try wines, they also hold monthly wine dinners the last two Thursday’s each month.  Here is a mouth watering show of one night with wines from Australia.

Regions tasted that night
Amazing Wines!

I hope you have been inspired to visit the Blue Ridge Parkway and to try out Vaso de Vino Wine Market!

For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway visit: http://www.nps.gov/blri

For more information on Vaso de Vino visit: http://www.vasodevino.com

I would love your feedback on my new format!  Please let me know what you think and what you would like to see in the future.  Thanks