Toto, I've a feeling we're not at the beach anymore.

Every year (read: for the past 2 years) Freddie and I have taken a fall time let's-go-to-the-mountains-and-pick-apples-look at the leaves-and-stay-and-go-star-gazing trip. I realize that this time of year everyone and his or her mom takes this kind of fall trip. For the sake of this blog and this post we'll just pretend that it is only a Freddie and Emily thing. Aww, so cute. I know, I know. It's precious, really. 

In years past a mountain trip was more of a day trip. 1.5ish hours from the ATL and yer in for some hills are alive action, Maria von Trapp style. This year was a tad different. Mountains aren't so close when you live 1 mile from the beach. Whine whine, complain complain, insert life is hard gripe here. But the Weiss folk were bound and determined to make this trip happen for the third year in a row (read: I'm a sucker for traditions), so Friday night was spent driving the 4.5 hours to Asheville, NC. 

Lemme just say, worth it. I don't have a lot I want to say other than that. Shocking. Instead I will let you enjoy 1/8 of the 800 pictures Young Frederick took during our 2 days in the mountains/Biltmore Estate/Chimney Rock. We kind of hopped around the hot spots like mountain goats. How appropriate. 

^^^first person to take these hilarious kind of pictures! (not.)^^^

 ^^^why yes, we would like to taste every wine on the list and empty our glasses every time.^^^

^^^a selfie so good we didn't even need the mansion showing. oh wait, I think we did need that.^^^

^^^wouldn't you just die and go straight to happy heaven if this was your view all day every day?!^^^

^^^Freddie pointed out that it would be pretty easy to turn the V's into W's when we move in here.^^^


Day Two was spent apple picking, stair rock climbing, eating, and hiking. In boots and flip flops. We really are the best last minute trip planners.

^^^the real reason we make the trip every fall: apple cider doughnuts.^^^

^^^from the very bottom to the very top. 101 bajillion stairs and ear pops later, we made it.^^^

^^^Freddie hiked even higher to get the winning shot you see here. I sat. The end.^^^

Then it was time to descend and replenish all the calories we burned while hiking. But wait! I have made a groundbreaking discovery! Going down the staircases was way faster, more fun, and easier on the leg muscles than going up all of them. My legs were screaming obscurities to me as I taught dance all Monday. Shut it, quads.

But for the breathtaking views, the crisp/cool fall air, the new traditions with my husband, the free wine tasting, and the freaking apple cider doughnuts, it was well worth it.