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climbing to the top

Boone, NC – Sexy Wild Ponies and Swinging Adventures

We had always wanted to visit Boone, NC; not for any particular reason, just because we’ve been told by many it was the coolest spot in the state.
So, when a crazy, post-sailboat-cruising, Kiwi-American family offered up their driveway as a base camp for adventure, we jumped on it!
grandfather mountain

Hugh, Lin and their twin boys (Mitch and Josh) live in West Jefferson, which is a short drive from most everything worth seeing in the area (or at least that’s what they told us since they were driving).  So, let’s dive right in:

West Jefferson, North Carolina

Grandfather Mountain

I feel the need to tell you right up front that the entry fees are crazy expensive! $20 per person is steep for a state park but luckily we were there during what they call “dollar” days for the locals (and we were with a car full of locals) so we only had to pay $3 each.

This was really our only escapade along the Blue Ridge Parkway and was just tasty enough to leave us wanting more. Grandfather Mountain sits at a whopping 5,946 feet above sea level and is the highest peak on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Mile High Swinging Bridge

One of the biggest attractions is the Mile High Swinging Bridge which is touted to be the highest in America.  It’s a swinging bridge because it literally sways in the wind, while you’re walking on it…and nobody reads the warning sign “40 person load limit” so it is quite the adventure just crossing.  This could be thrilling or cause you to wet your pants on a high wind day, and believe me it can get crazy windy (some of the highest surface wind speeds ever recorded were here) so you may want to bring a sweater (and a change of pants) if you plan on hanging around for a while.

Mile High Swinging Bridge

The Bridge is fun for a short bit, but what we found really made the trip, and the price of admission, worth it is the trails.  The rugged trails have hidden caves, steep cliffs, rope assists, giant boulders, dense forest and lots and lots of ladders! Possibly one of the most unique hikes we’ve ever been on!

Grandfather Mountain

grandfather mountain

hiking and ladder climb

macrae peak

climbing to the top

Grandfather Mountain

Grayson Highlands State Park

Ok, this is actually in Virginia, not North Carolina, but when we were told this was the place to see real wild sexy ponies…how we could resist?!? Plus, we wanted the bragging rights of saying we hiked the Appalachian Trail.

Grayson Highlands park

waterfall

I can’t say the views were any better than the ones at Grandfather Mountain but oh those wild ponies don’t disappoint!  Round, full bellies accentuated by long flowing locks.  If ponies were supermodels, this is where they’d go to be photographed!

beautiful view

Grayson Highlands park

wild sexy pony

grayson highlands state park

fabio the pony

These models may have round bellies and look happy and full, but don’t let them fool you.  One rustle of a granola bar wrapper and you will quickly have a stampede at your heels!  The sign’s clearly state DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS but it’s all too obvious these ponies don’t like to work for free.

grayson highlands state park

If Fabio and his silky white, windblown tresses don’t make you want to give up a granola bar, nothing will.  I won’t lie, I was very tempted.  Once they realized I had eaten it all I was left with nothing but rear views.

 

South Fork New River

The New River is well known for being a white water hot spot, but not all of it.  There are some lovely stretches perfect for a leisurely paddle.  Being the lucky buggers (as Hugh would say) that we are, our hosts just happen to have a few kayaks and a canoe!  And don’t worry Jason only brought the GoPro this time in case he had another tumble!

South Fork New River

South Fork New River

The sad thing is we spent nearly two weeks with our gracious hosts, yet we only explored one afternoon in Boone!  So I guess we might as well ask:  Dear Hugh and Lin, can we stay with you again
Tell us what we missed in the comments below, sure we saw a lot but I’m sure we missed so much more.

Famous for my "how-not-to" videos, and typically the man behind the camera, sometimes I’m forced to be here in the “spotlight”. When you see my face you’re probably reading something more technical than adventurous, but either way I do my best to tell it like it is and infuse my opinions into the commentary…after all this is a blog and not MSN.

Comments (30)

  • Thomas Sperounis

    Hi Jason and Nikki. I love your channel! I come to you with a question. I see you have went to the mountains of North Carolina a few years back. That’s where I’m going in April, and me and my family are still trying to plan some things to do there. Do you mind if you could share me a few places to visit in the area? It would be a pleasure. Thank you!

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  • Just discovered your blog and loving it!! We are about to purchase our first camper and hoping to move in full time and figure out how to travel and make a living doing photography. Thanks for the inspiration! We just left Grayson Highlands ourselves! One of our favorite spots! We call Fabio- Bon Jovi!!

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  • Hugh

    Its “locals” month in April again, see you soon!

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    • Ha Ha, I don’t know if we will make it in time, but we will try!

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  • What?!?!?! This is going on our list for sure! I’m a sucker for wild horses/ponies.

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  • mary van

    It looks like a magical place. I would love to see those wild ponies! North Carolina vs Colorado have so many things in common!

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    • Good beer, good hiking, nice parks and plenty of whitewater…I’d say its pretty darn close to CO too 🙂

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  • That hike looked insane!! I’ve seen pulls but never a ladder. You sooo need to make your way to Assateague Island and Chincoteague in VA/MD. Crazy sexy wild ponies on the beach with the annual pony swim!

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  • Wendi

    We are in the process of downsizing everything we own, house is on the market and our rig is picked out. We have 2 teenagers, 2 dogs and 3 cats… this is a dream come true for us. Its sights like these that are our motivation. Your blog, videos and pictures have been such a HUGE source of entertainment and education. I look forward to every new post, while I sit here and will my house to sell, so we can start our adventure. Thank you so much for all the motivation.
    Wendi in Nevada

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    • Thanks for the love Wendi! That is going to be one packed and fun RV! I hope our routes will cross at some point.

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  • Rachael Mc Dermond

    Hi Nikki ,
    Come to New Zealand and see our wild horses too ! the crazy kiwi you mentioned is my brother . they so enjoyed having you …. get that bus on a boat and come down under its all here and all so close together !

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  • Gene Russell

    What’s interesting is if you do some web searches about the wild ponies there have been several people reporting that they have been bitten or kicked by these ponies, so caution is the word here……

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  • cindy

    I first learned to snow ski in Boone!!!! Bet you did not know that!
    Aunt Cindy

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  • Derek Wilkins

    When you two have a chance, try driving all of the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’ve camped the entire length, driving about 70 miles a day, stopping and hiking whenever, wherever I wanted. All of the campgrounds are wonderful.

    Every chance I have, I try my best to spend time on the Parkway when I get North.

    Enjoy!

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    • We loved that whole area so much I am sure we will be back!

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  • Lynn

    Ah Dang. I thought WE were the sexy swingers. Turns out we are just “crazy”! And of course you can come back…any time. BTW, the round bellies on the ponies was because they were pregnant. We were just up there last weekend and there were pony ponies everywhere. Fabio was a busy boy. I’ll post photos when I get a chance.

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    • Ha ha, your crazy sexy too. 🙂 Awe, I bet those tiny ponies were so stinking cute! Did the babies have long flowing locks right out of the womb?

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  • Sue

    I love the hike with ladders, ropes and all. Looks crazy. Pretty area. Your hosts must have enjoyed you . Two weeks !!

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    • I know, long time right! We were having such a great time and we really liked the whole family (and the area).

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  • Bruce

    It looks like such a great area to explore, thanks for posting

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  • Hey guys- the Grandfather Mountain attraction is a non- profit private stewardship protecting the unique plant life of the mountain- it is not a part of the state park.

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      • Hi Jason,

        The swinging bridge you crossed is an “attraction” and not managed by Grandfather Mountain State Park.

        Two entities exist: swinging bridge (“attraction”) and backcountry (trails), with distinct land managers: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation (public agency managing the state park) and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation (private non-profit organization managing the swinging bridge).

        This clarification from the NC Parks & Rec site might help:

        http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/grmo/main.php

        Grandfather Mountain Attraction – While state park trails can be accessed from the parking areas at the attraction (fees apply), the state parks system has no management responsibilities for the private Grandfather Mountain attraction and its facilities. Complete information about the attraction can be found at http://www.grandfather.com or by calling 828-733-4337.

        More info:
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandfather_Mountain

        Hope this helps.

        ..Mike Smith, Leave No Trace Master Educator

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