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Hiking Catawba Falls and Exploring Asheville

October 10, 2016 by Julie 41 Comments

Hello from Black Mountain! My family and I arrived in Black Mountain, a small mountain town located just outside of Asheville in western North Carolina, in the late afternoon on Saturday.

Black Mountain Catawba Falls

We spent Saturday evening settling into the mountain home we rented before digging into a hearty lasagna dinner and hopping in the hot tub as the sun went down. It was a wonderfully relaxing way to kick off our vacation!

Black Mountain Cabin NC

Sunday was a bit busier as we tried to make the most of our first full day of vacation. We woke up slowly in the morning and hung out in our pajamas for a few hours as we ate muffins and eggs and sipped on hot coffee while we enjoyed beautiful mountain views and attempted a Scramble Squares puzzle.

Chase 14 months

Have you guys heard of Scramble Squares? The puzzle’s tagline claims it is “perhaps the world’s most challenging puzzle” and I’m pretty sure it had all of us ripping our hair out as we passed it along and each gave the puzzle our best shot. We WILL figure it out before this vacation is over!

After a lazy morning, we were ready for a more active afternoon and my sister, brother-in-law, Ryan and I piled into Ryan’s car with the dogs and headed out to the base of a trail to hike to Catawba Falls. (Big thanks to my mom for watching Chase! My dad will be flying in from Jacksonville to join us today. Woo!) I wasn’t sure how hiking would go with my broken pinky toe, but I taped it up and we walked slowly and carefully to the falls. I was pleasantly surprised with the way my toe and foot felt during the hike, especially since I wasn’t sure if I’d have to opt out of all hiking on our vacation.

Catawba Falls Hike

The majority of the hike followed a stream and it was so neat to be able to hear water rushing and look down and see crayfish and small fish below. The trail was an out-and-back trail which isn’t usually my favorite (I definitely prefer a loop) but we all loved this hike and agreed it was a great one to tackle to kick off our trip. The Catawaba Falls far surpassed our expectations and were much larger and more impressive than we imagined.

Catawba Falls North Carolina

The dogs had a blast jumping in and out of the stream and swimming at the base of the falls while we snapped pictures before making our way back up the trail to our car.

hiking catawba falls

We arrived back at the house a little after 1 p.m. and timing was perfect because Chase woke up from his nap 10 minutes before we walked through the door. We ate a lunch of leftover lasagna before quickly heading back out to spend the afternoon in downtown Asheville.

Grammy Chase

This was our first visit to Asheville and we decided to spend our first couple of hours in the city wandering around and popping in and out of various hot spots. Our first stop of the day took us to Wicked Weed Brewery where we stopped for a couple of beers.

Wicked Weed Brewery Asheville

leslie ross

I liked the Pompoen pumpkin sour ale with charred ginger and the flavor almost reminded me of a pumpkin spice kombucha (and I mean that as a compliment). Chase liked the dogs and waving at everyone around him!

Wicked Weed

wicked weed asheville

Our second stop of the day took us into Vortex Doughnuts for an afternoon pick-me-up sweet treat! We ordered a box of doughnuts to try and I owe you guys a big thank you for recommending them to us because they were fantastic!

Vortex Doughnuts Asheville

Vortex Doughnuts

Chase 14 Months Old

With sugary doughnuts in our bellies, we walked along for another 45 minutes or so before we figured we should make our way back to our house. We stopped by the grocery store before driving up the mountain and spent the rest of the night grilling out, eating ice cream and hanging out in our pajamas.

We have a full day ahead of us today and I cannot wait to explore the Biltmore in a few hours! I’ll be sure to share the fun with you guys soon!

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Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: Asheville, brewery, Catawba Falls, North Carolina, travel, Vortex Doughnuts, Wicked Weed

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

« Things I’m Loving Friday #155
A Day at the Biltmore »

Comments

  1. Patricia @Sweet And Strong says

    October 10, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Gorgeous views of the waterfall, love a good hike and some beers on the weekend. Now I’m craving a good fall pumpkin beer, those are my fav. And I can’t wait to see pics of Biltmore, I’ve always wanted to go.

    Reply
  2. Brynn says

    October 10, 2016 at 7:21 am

    Ah, I love Asheville! It’s small and unassuming, but is so stunning and quaint. Glad to hear your toe held up for the hike! Have fun today, the house was one of my favorite parts of our visit.

    Reply
  3. Nikki says

    October 10, 2016 at 7:24 am

    Is Chase walking yet? My son also named Chase didn’t get the hang of it until 14 months.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:26 am

      Not without his walker yet! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sarah says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:18 am

    What a fun trip!!!! My family and I are hoping to do something similar in June (far away, I know, lol). They all live in AZ and we’re also here in Charlotte!! Right now, we’re thinking Boone/Blowing Rock but Asheville looks like it could be awesome too b/c of the Biltmore!! We did that two years ago and loved it!!

    Hope you enjoy your vacation, Julie!!

    -Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com

    Reply
  5. Leigh says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:44 am

    Looks like so much fun!!! Chase always has the CUTEST little face in all of your pictures! He looks like such a happy little boy =) Also, those doughnuts look AMAZING!

    Reply
  6. Lauren says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:48 am

    My mom wants our next family trip to be in that area so I’m looking forward to all of your reviews!!

    Reply
  7. Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:50 am

    I never really liked donuts until I was introduced to gourmet donuts. Is that an oxymoron? Who cares! Hand crafted locally made donuts are the BEST!

    Reply
  8. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

    October 10, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Glad you’re having fun in Asheville! That hike is sooo pretty! Fresh pizza in Black Mountain is good, since you’re staying out there!

    Reply
  9. Shannon says

    October 10, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Your diaper bag backpack is so cute! Who makes it? I love that my husband could use it too. Have a wonderful vacation.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Thank you! It’s Ju-Ju-Be legacy diaper bag and we love it — so many pockets and especially great for travel. I bought it from Nordstrom: http://bit.ly/2dH4e0x

      Reply
  10. Meghan Meade says

    October 10, 2016 at 10:03 am

    I live 30 minutes away from black mountain in Morganton, NC. My husband and I love black mountain!! If you’ve never ate at a place called My Fathers Pizza, it’s AMAZING. We drive to black mountain just to eat there some weekends. They have the best greek salad!

    Reply
  11. kathy says

    October 10, 2016 at 10:36 am

    I can’t help but notice Sadie wearing a shirt in one of the pictures above! It makes me laugh! Glad your toe injury didn’t stop you from enjoying the mountains!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:25 am

      Haha! Yes! She’s such a little baby in cold weather and it was in the 40s in the morning. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jessica @ Semi-Sweet Tooth says

    October 10, 2016 at 10:36 am

    Looks like a fun trip already! We’ve been to Asheville many times, including the always fabulous Biltmore, and love it more every time. It’s a slower pace and definitely easy to feel at home immediately.

    So glad you guys are having a blast already – and that you can hike with your broken toe. Phew!

    XO, Jessica
    http://www.semisweettooth.com

    Reply
  13. Sarah @ Sweet Miles says

    October 10, 2016 at 10:47 am

    What a fun and BEAUTIFUL weekend!! There’s nothing better than outside time with your family!

    Reply
  14. Amy @ FitnessMeetsFrosting says

    October 10, 2016 at 11:39 am

    Looks amazing!!!! I’m actually travelling to Asheville and Black Mountain at the end of the month for a wedding, so these posts are perfect 🙂

    Reply
  15. Hillary says

    October 10, 2016 at 11:57 am

    What beautiful photos from the falls!

    If you’re going to be in the AVL area a little longer, I suggest you check out the BEAUTIFUL Sierra Nevada Brewery (just a quick 20 minute drive from downtown).

    Let me know what you think if you do go! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:24 am

      That brewery is on our list! Thank you, Hillary!

      Reply
  16. Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says

    October 10, 2016 at 11:58 am

    The hike you guys went on looks gorgeous!

    Some of my maternal grandmother’s family is in North Carolina, though I haven’t been there to see them since I was a kid.

    Reply
  17. Rachel says

    October 10, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    I was camping on Biltmore grounds from Thursday to Sunday for an expo, and went to see the house for the first time. It’s really stunning, you will have a great time! You should also do the Land Rover course if you’re into that kind of thing 🙂 We had a blast, I can’t wait to go back and explore more of downtown.

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:24 am

      So cool!!!

      Reply
  18. rachel says

    October 10, 2016 at 12:41 pm

    Sounds lovely already! You’re getting me so anxious & excited for a week with my family on the San Juan Island in Nov!

    Reply
  19. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    October 10, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    Ohh donuts and family puzzles! You’re having my kind of family vacation!

    Reply
  20. Janice says

    October 10, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Hi! I am curious what kind of diaper bag backpack you have in the last photo? It looks super roomy!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:22 am

      It’s the Ju-Ju-Be legacy diaper bag! I LOVE it and highly recommend it – especially for travel! I bought it from Nordstrom: http://bit.ly/2dH4e0x

      Reply
  21. Kim from MN says

    October 10, 2016 at 6:53 pm

    Love the pic of you and Ryan next to the falls! What a great idea – I was at a waterfall with my husband last weekend, and wished I would have thought of that!

    Thanks so much for giving us a peek into your vacay, it looks like it’s marvelous. Hope you’re all having a great time! Don’t forget to try Tupelo Honey at some point! 🙂 Sweet potato pancake!

    Reply
  22. Holly Hepler says

    October 10, 2016 at 8:09 pm

    Def would love info on your diaper bag!! Love the Ashville area!! Have fun!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:23 am

      Yes! It’s the Ju-Ju-Be legacy diaper bag! It’s wonderful and can actually be a backpack or a shoulder bag. I LOVE it and highly recommend it – especially for travel! I bought it from Nordstrom: http://bit.ly/2dH4e0x

      Reply
  23. Mary says

    October 10, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    Hi! I read your blog almost every day and love it. I have been thinking of starting a blog of my own for awhile, mostly just for personal use to get all my thoughts out in one place, haha and to hold myself accountable. Do you have any advice? Also, what blog base do you use? There are so many platforms out there and I don’t mind have to pay a little if it’s for the best!

    Reply
  24. Pam cook says

    October 11, 2016 at 8:15 am

    Looks like y’all are already enjoying your trip. If you take a drive on the parkway, check out the Folk Art center. Lots of local handmade crafts. Sierra Nevada offers beer tours. Enjoy!

    Reply
  25. Christine says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:02 am

    Asheville is one of my all-time favorite places! my grandparents live there and I’m obsessed 🙂 Love this post <3
    xoxo, Christine
    http://www.shesjustmysister.com

    Reply
  26. Nicole says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:29 am

    My husband and I love Asheville. Such a perfect time of year to be visiting.

    Where did you get your orange pullover? Looks so comfy and cute!

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      October 12, 2016 at 8:21 am

      Thanks! It’s New Balance!

      Reply
  27. Taylor says

    October 11, 2016 at 9:59 am

    Looks like such a fun trip!!

    Reply
  28. Steph says

    October 11, 2016 at 1:43 pm

    Your vacation looks incredible so far! That photo of you and Ryan at the brewery is adorable. Enjoy!

    Reply
  29. Ingunn says

    October 12, 2016 at 1:30 am

    That waterfall is gorgeous!

    Reply
  30. Kaitlyn @ Powered by Sass says

    October 12, 2016 at 10:54 am

    This sounds amazing! Three of my favorite things: hiking, donuts, and beer. Love this recap!

    Recently posted -> “Travel Recap: Munich!” https://poweredbysass.com/2016/10/12/travel-recap-munich/

    Reply
  31. Laurel says

    October 12, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Such a cute little family 🙂 Have fun and be safe! xo

    Reply
  32. Lauren says

    October 12, 2016 at 2:17 pm

    Your vacation to Asheville looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the tips – hiking Catawba Falls is now on my list of must do’s.

    Side note… 🙂 Your photos in this post are flawless! Can you share what camera you used to take these shots? Thanks, Julie!

    Reply
  33. Kim says

    October 13, 2016 at 11:03 am

    Hey Julie!
    You might have already commented on this in an earlier post but I love your backpack diaper bag! I have been searching for one for a while and was wondering what type is it? Your trip looks awesome!

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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