I tried my hardest to sleep in but to no avail. Thankfully Appalachian Java was open and a medium mocha was calling my name. This morning I caved, though, and bought us donuts from the mouthwatering case of Mr. Bob’s Do-Nuts (Bavarian cream and peanut butter cream).

Not ready to wake the sleeping husband, I walked around the square enjoying the sunrise. I also drove around town trying to find the “perfect” shot of the sunrise but not knowing my way around I eventually gave up. Something was always in the way!

After a leisurely morning we headed east about 20 minutes to the town of Spruce Pine. Located on the Toe River, it was founded in 1907 with the construction of the Clinchfield Railroad. Today its Main Street still faces the railroad and river and is in the process of being revitalized. It is well on its way, though, and I look forward to seeing it thrive. After a walk along the river we stopped in at DT’s Blue Ridge Java on Main Street for a small mocha (a delicious 4 out of 5 beans) and a cinnamon apple muffin (YUM). The coffee shop had a steady stream of locals and tourists alike grabbing coffee and breakfast. What an absolutely lovely community.

Not quite ready to head back to Burnsville we looked at the map and saw that the community of Penland was on our way back. It is home to the Penland School of Crafts, “an international center for craft education dedicated to helping people live creative lives,” which was founded in 1929. Tours are only available on Wednesdays so we enjoyed the Penland School Gallery in the visitors center and a drive through the campus. The gallery is filled with pieces by current and former instructors, students, and resident artists.

Ready for lunch we drove back to Burnsville to a non-descript strip mall that you’d miss if you blinked. Located there is one of the best meals we had on our trip. Yummi America Burnsville Café specializes in Latin fusion and oh man, is it yummi. Cecil had the torta el pastor sandwich and I had the shrimp tacos. We HIGHLY recommend this café. Fresh, delicious food and excellent service.

By now the rain had begun to fall so with happy tummies we went back to the hotel to relax. I finished my Maggie Hope book and Cecil kept working on his very large biography of Red Sox baseball player Ted Williams. We even squeezed in a couple rounds of a board game and another nap. Perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon.

After our hearty lunch neither of us was very hungry for a big dinner so we went to the 5 o’clock showing of Christopher Robin at the Yancey Theatre, Burnsville’s one-screen movie theater on Main Street. It opened in 1939 and has showings throughout the week. We had popcorn for dinner and settled in for a sweet movie about a grown up Christopher Robin running into his childhood friends Pooh Bear, Piglet, and the rest of the gang. Escapades ensue.

Sadly, our wonderful time in the mountains was coming to a close. After the movie we had one last hoorah and ended the day with ice cream at Cool Catz Candy & Cream. Cecil had a blueberry pie milkshake and I savored a two-scoop waffle cone of cookies & cream and cookie dough.

Our visits to the North Carolina mountains are always refreshing and help us get refocused. The magnificence of nature and the beauty of the community is what always keeps us coming back.

Until next time!