Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Blowing Rock, North Carolina, is a favorite place that my family and I visit frequently.  Blowing Rock is located just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We always enjoy visiting the cute shops, resaurants, and parks in Blowing Rock.  You can even visit The Blowing Rock and learn the legend of The Blowing Rock as you take in the spectacular views there.

Whenever we have company, we love to take them to visit

Blowing Rock, North Carolina.  This Thanksgiving holiday was no exception.  My brother and his wife were in town from Gulfport, Florida.  We decided to make a day trip to the mountains.

When we arrived in Blowing Rock, NC, on the day after Thanksgiving, we were so pleasantly surprised to find out that we had stumbled upon being there during Christmas in the Park.  The whole town was decorated for Christmas.

People were milling about throughout the town.  Every other vehicle that drove by had a Christmas tree riding on top.  The magic and excitement of Christmas preparation was in the air as people shopped for gifts, walked their dogs (there were many dogs), and enjoyed hayrides through the town.

At the center of all of the excitement was a line waiting to have a turn to visit Santa in the gazebo which is located in the park in the center of town.  Children took turns climbing onto Santa’s lap to whisper or convey their Christmas wishes to Santa in more boisterous voices.  Parents captured these precious encounters using cameras and more often, cell phones.  Occasionally, the visitors to Santa’s lap would be less than joyous.

As I was able to capture this image of Santa reassuring a somewhat reluctant visitor, it reminded me of all of the wonderful images that have been captured of my family in Christmases past.  The power of a photograph to freeze a magical moment in time!

I can highly recommend a visit to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, during the fall/winter holiday season.  Even if you cannot time your trip to be there for Christmas in the Park, you simply cannot walk the streets of Blowing Rock without feeling festive.

Please remember to take time this holiday season to capture those precious memories that will be treasured for a lifetime!