This past weekend, Tim and I journeyed to the North Carolina mountains to go camping.

10 things I learned:

1) People in the mountains really love to give you directions. When we asked how to get somewhere, the detail of the instructions that followed was amazing. It took about ten minutes for the camp manager to tell us how to get to Oktoberfest, when it came down to: stay on the same road. We could have gotten there in less time than it took for him to tell us how to.

(an attraction of Oktoberfest: Axe Man)

2) North Carolina must often feel like it's not a town name until you've added "ton" to the end. For example, we passed "Lincolnton" and "Rutherfordton."

3) There are a ridiculous amount of churches. Really, I've never seen so many churches in an area with not a lot of people.

4) Old Fort has a lot of passionate musicians at Oktoberfest. For example, there was the musical entertainment of a man singing karaoke for a few hours. Then, there was a band made up of about eight people, each with a different instrument, that all played the same chords at the same time. Apparently, this band didn't believe in different parts, or harmonies or anything like that. And I had a great time listening to all of them!

5) The scenery can be diverse. For example, there were pretty leaves, and areas without any leaves.

6) Off-brand cooking wear is not the way to go. As evidence, the little pot that could not:

7) There can be an apple orchard on the side of a mountain. And, it can also have the best apple cider you've ever tasted.

8) When wearing a cowboy hat, people in the mountains (or perhaps just in North Carolina) will refer to you as "Tex" and greet you with "howdy."

9) The Biltmore is expensive, but way cool.

10) It is so very beautiful, and I can't wait to go again!