Every weekend since it’s been warm enough to stick my toes out the front door, I’ve found at least one perfectly incredible place to hike near my house. It all started with recommendations from one of the painters working on my kitchen cabinets. He told me about Craggy Gardens and what a perfect place it was to take kids on a picnic or just to walk on the path.  He was right. This place was full of native plants, trees, and blooming rhododendrons. As I hiked up the slightly ascending trail, I noticed the fresh crisp smells, a neatly formed path, and most of all, the silence. Except for the chirping of a few birds, it was incredibly silent, almost to the point of making me look around and wonder if I was the only  person to venture out to this lovely find.

After walking about 3/4 of a mile, I came to a plateau with  tall, grassy bushes and plenty of views. It was the parking area and information center for Craggy. There I finally saw a young guy with his black lab stopping for a canine water break. Even the dog didn’t make a sound! www.blueridgeparkway.com

Another well known trek which proved to be as easy and enjoyable a hike was Dupont Forest, about a 45 minute drive from Asheville. The trails were flat, well marked and easy to navigate. They led to several breathtaking waterfalls: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls. There were enormous rock slabs which were flat enough to sit on even for small children. One couple had laid out their baby’s portable crib and had a picnic right at the water’s edge. The intensely green and white background of native trees and flowering rhododendron  made a perfect frame surrounding the roaring water as it cascaded down and merged into the deep pools. Nothing manmade could ever compare to this beauty of nature. It created such a soothing noise. The people seemed to be in awe and few words were spoken.