The stormy weather we’ve been having has been knocking down lots of branches from our trees.  Ava doesn’t like to play with toys outside, but she LOVES the pears and sticks scattered around the yard.  She was beside herself when she came across this monster find.

Ava used to be quite aloof, and would immediately wander away from us when let outside.  Now, after many months, Ava likes to stick nearby when we’re all outside relaxing.

Ava is enjoying these last warm days of summer and getting in some color before autumn arrives.

While my parents were in town, they spent several days in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they were nice enough to take Ava and I with them!  Ava is a pretty easy traveler and posted up in her favorite spot: the foot well in the back seat.

My dad had read about Waterrock Knob Overlook, which was supposed to be a really excellent place for taking sunset photos.  We had to drive several hours to the west to get there, but it was worth it.

The overlook was a strip of land that allowed you to look at the mountains to both the East and West.  It allowed us to get a great view of the setting sun to the West, and it also allowed us to watch a big thunderstorm roll in from the East.  It was a very unusual and incredible experience.

The rest of the trip was filled with even more beautiful sights.  We went hiking on several miles of trails to see overlooks, caves, and waterfalls.  At night, we would head into Asheville to try some local food and brews, and to watch the street performers.

My parents came to visit North Carolina towards the end of the summer.  They wanted to spend some time in the mountains and drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway while they were here.

My mom found a great cabin to rent in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Mountain Springs Cabins is located about 20 minutes outside the city of Asheville.  They have a number of pet-friendly cabins, but do have some (relatively) strict rules you must follow.  Your dogs must be bathed before visiting, they must have their nails trimmed, and they are not allowed on furniture.

Their website made me wary of how receptive they truly were towards dogs, but they were very excited to meet Ava upon our arrival and they were very welcoming towards all of us.

The cabins themselves are quaint and comfortable homes away from home.  Our cabin was far away from any of the others, and the facilities were very quiet and serene.  The management was outstanding.  They provided us with extra towels and toiletries, and they were very knowledgeable about the area and its offerings.  They had even prepared a very detailed and extensive book about all of the activities available in the area.

A small creek ran through the facility, and there were hammocks and fire pits installed along its length.  We sat along the river in the evenings, and I tried to fish with a pole borrowed from the management office.  Chickens from a nearby farm liked to congregate around the edge of the water, and Ava really enjoyed staring at them.

She also liked to take advantage of the shade trees in the area to hone her climbing skills.

Ava loves to play with her friend, Ship.