Franklin, NC: Mason's Mine, Waterfalls

Monday, September 17, 2007
Franklin, North Carolina, United States
The Great Outdoors Resort - 5 nights
Really picturesque drive on 76; lots of wildflowers. 
                                                      FRANKLIN

Great downtown.
Little Tennessee River Greenway follows the Little Tennessee River and a tributary, Cartoogechaye Creek. Enjoyable walk along the river.
Tried the local BBQ places:   
Fat Buddies BBQ--terrible service; ribs OK; sliced pork a little dry.
Hog Wild BBQ--ribs good (not as good as Carolina; better than Fat Buddies). More family oriented--everyone had Franklin Panther t-shirts for the football game.
Scenic Drive: Wayah Creek Road; couldn't find Rufus Morgan Trail.  Drove up to Wayah Bald--about 3 miles on dirt road; thankfully only passed 1 car. Fantastic views. Drove along Nantahala; beautiful scenery. 
Mason's Ruby & Sapphire Mine: one of the original native mines. Dig a bucket of dirt then sift dirt with a screen in a trough of water. A worker comes by to see if there is a ruby, sapphire, tourmaline.  We found 1 sapphire 2-3 carrots; 7 were about half carrot, 8 quarter; 18 were big pin head size. A vial of souvenirs--nothing of jewelry size. Spent the entire day from about 11-5. Fun looking and hoping. 
            Lots of  WATERFALLS  & cute mountain TOWNS in the area:

Highlands: Cullasaja River Gorge and FallsAbsolutely breathtaking; just a little road pull off.  Dry Falls; walk behind it.  

Cashiers - Carolina Smokehouse for lunch. Great ribs; pulled pork OK. 
Nice stores for shopping.
Whitewater Falls:  easy walk 153 steps; very nice.  
Bridal Veil Falls:  car can drive behind it.  
Dillsboro - lots of neat shops.  
Sylva -  Nick & Nate's on Main Street. Great lunch bar: lasagna, pizza, salad, dessert.
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