We started with brunch at Corner Kitchen, a cozy spot in Biltmore Village that Patricia had recommended — and she was right. It was absolutely delicious, the kind of meal that sets the tone for a good day.
Right after breakfast, we made a quick stop at Spartina, where I finally got my birthday gift sorted out and even lucked into a sale.
Then we hit the road toward Brevard, about 45 minutes southwest of Asheville. The drive winds through scenic valleys and forest roads that lead into Pisgah National Forest — land that once belonged to George Vanderbilt. After his death, his wife, Edith, sold and donated more than 80,000 acres to the federal government, forming the foundation of Pisgah National Forest in 1916.
Brevard itself grew up as a logging and railroad town in the early 1900s, and today it’s known for its small-town charm, thriving arts community, and the hundreds of waterfalls that surround it — earning it the nickname Land of Waterfalls.
By the time we reached Looking Glass Falls, we could hear the roar of water echoing through the trees. The name comes from the way sunlight reflects off the smooth granite face, giving it a mirror-like shimmer. It’s one of North Carolina’s most visited waterfalls and one of the few you can see right from the road. We walked down to the base, stood in the mist, and let the sound of the falls drown out everything else.
Meanwhile, the guys continued on to Moore Cove Falls, a short, scenic trail that ends at a waterfall you can actually walk behind — always a crowd-pleaser. From there, they visited the Cradle of Forestry, a historic site within Pisgah that honors George Vanderbilt’s role in American forestry and Dr. Carl Schenck’s establishment of the first forestry school in the United States. The exhibits and trails tell the story of how sustainable forestry began right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Meanwhile, the girls wandered through the museum & gift shop of Pisgah and then into town to explore. We stopped at DD Bullwinkle’s, where I picked up a few more birthday goodies, grabbed coffee, and popped into a boutique next door. From there, we visited White Squirrel, Gravy, and the toy shop O.P. Taylor’s — each with its own charm. Brevard is actually famous for its population of rare white squirrels, said to be descendants of a pair that escaped from a traveling carnival decades ago.
Brevard is also known for its famous white squirrels — not albinos, but a rare color variation of the common gray squirrel. The local story goes that a traveling carnival passed through town in the 1940s, and a pair of white squirrels escaped (or were released) after an accident. They found a home here, and their descendants have thrived ever since. The town even celebrates them each spring with the White Squirrel Festival, complete with music, crafts, and plenty of squirrel-themed souvenirs.
We all met up later that evening at Horse Cove Restaurant for dinner. The restaurant takes its name from a nearby valley once known for early Appalachian farms and its sweeping views of the mountains. It was the perfect ending to a day that started with rain in the forecast and turned into one of our favorites — full of nature, small-town charm, and a few unexpected surprises along the way.
Then we came home, Barb figured out how to setup the Tripod, the coffee and the giggles kicked in and it was time to end the night.
Happiness is Possible 