The bears have been on the move around Asheville and the lodge this summer.  Lisa Webb got a picture of one by our entrance as she came into work one morning.  Then Jodee and I had the unique experience of seeing one swim across the French Broad river just as we turned onto Brevard road.  It was raining and I couldn't get my zoom to work on my phone but if you look closely you can see that the rock in the middle of the river has ears.  Then recently we caught the picture of the mother with 4 cubs behind our compost bin.  (I know there are only 3 in the picture)  We watched her run the cubs up another tree, then chase two turkeys off their nest,  while a deer watched from a distance.  It was our best trifecta for wildlife viewing ever!   Can you imagine trying to feed 4 mouths with what you can find in the woods. 
   
However, our most dramatic bear sighting occurred as I walked into the Luhn house and discovered one sitting at the bar waiting for breakfast with spoon in hand, breakfast ware and a note saying he liked his coffee black.  Guest, Karen Poole, and her family set up that cute scenario with Marcia Luhn's bear footstool.  Thanks for the delightful surprise.    
    

     It use to be easy enough to direct guests

	Courthouse Falls

to the beautiful waterfalls in our area, especially since we are so close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, a route that takes you to many of the falls.   Now the challenge is to find a waterfall that isn't surrounded by a crowd of other folks looking for the same outdoor excursion.  The main falls at DuPont, Looking Glass Falls, Graveyard Fields falls, even Skinny Dip Falls are often crowded these days.  However, there are many other falls off the tourist radar.   Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, these can sometimes be hard to find for those not familiar with the area.  One option is to study the maps, read the descriptions in books or websites and head out for an adventure.  Another option that has become available is to take a guided trip.  A couple of companies now offer group trips to area waterfalls with short, easy hikes as well as custom trips to more remote falls and challenging hikes.  Tumblestone Tours out of Asheville is one company and Millers Land of Waterfalls Tours out of Rosman is another.    Pura Vida Adventures is another guided hiking company with even more advanced options.  Click on their names to visit their websites.