April Newsletter
Candalada
The NC Waterfall and CarryOut Tour
The inspiration for this trip was Prince Issa. He was approaching age 9 and about to celebrate his second birthday during the pandemic. Issa is 100% virtual; he attends school, the doctor and guitar lessons online. His melt downs were increasing which reminded me of the side affects of solitary confinement I learned about.
Since Issa and I have seen all of Virginia’s notable waterfalls including the best voted Falling Spring Falls, I started shopping for waterfalls in neighboring states. I looked into West Virginia (Blackwater Falls) which is unfortunately closed for park renovation, MD (Muddy Creek Falls) and Tennessee (Ruby Falls) on my search for cool falls in the past.
North Carolina recently peaked my interest because it is home to over over 250 waterfalls and houses two amazing things. First, the only waterfall I came across that you can walk behind, Dry Falls in Highlands. Second, one of the best vegan restaurants in the country according to The Food Network, Plant in Asheville.
Learning lessons form the first waterfall tour in Virginia. I made sure to triple check the addresses. I was devastated to learn that Dry Falls was the furthest waterfall from my home. Basically falling out of North Carolina and a whopping 8 hours away if I drove there straight. I knew I wanted to see three falls minimum. I searched for drive by falls and falls with short hikes. I added Looking Glass, known for being very accessible and High Falls noted for its appearance in The Hunger Games.
With the waterfalls towards the end of North Carolina and Plant (vegan restaurant) hours away from the falls. I decided creating a loop so I don’t miss out on all NC had to offer made the most sense. It took hours of google maps to find points of interests, vegan carryouts and operation times. I used some backward math to calculate necessary departure times. I timed everything based on arriving at the opening time for each carry out and I was successfully the first customer for each carry out.
I was able to see every planned point of interest. In Dupont State Park, I switched out High Falls for Triple Falls. High Falls had a trail that led to the trail. Once we completed the first trail, we were greeted by two signs for High Falls Loop and we didn’t know which one to take. The map was at the front of the park and internet on the phone wasn’t working. Issa immediately said, “No, Mommy No”. Sometimes its okay to listen to the kids.
We also went to eat and recharge at Madisons in Old Edwards Inn before heading to Dry Falls. We were hungry and wet from getting rained on at Looking Glass and the camera battery died! Having lunch first gave us time to literally recharge while visiting the historic, posh and restored inn.
Asheville River Arts District had art on the walls so bold we had to pull over. Apparently, the BBQ spot there is so good former president Obama went to visit “12 Bones” twice. Click here to see the video. There was no quick way to leave Asheville, so we didn't. We explored and found an art shop where the owner was a Batman and Marvel enthusiast amongst other things.
In Asheville we also visited, The Biltmore Estate a tourist trap worth seeing. Getting to it is quite a production. It has a box office! It also has a trolley system. I had no interest in touring inside. I just needed my baby to see the biggest house in the U.S. He has an affinity for architecture.
My sole purpose for stopping in Greensboro was to show Issa the International Civil Rights Museum. It was informative and great to see the original stools where Greensboro Four pushed back on segregation and the 1960 sit-ins began. It was a chilling to see an actual colored fountain.
The Best Buy in Greensboro scored us more than the tripod I forgot at home. We received local intel about Gateway Gardens, a cool garden/oasis created for kids. I delayed departing Greensboro to make sure Issa was able to visit. We were both a little sad when our adventure over. The trip was a joy and Gateway Gardens was a great ending. We left during the golden hour.
Please enjoy this recap video which was my visual birthday gift to Issa and the official “NC Waterfall and Carryout Tour” picture story (sequential order).
THE ViDEO
THE PICTURE STORY
THE DEETS
Waterfall Review
Triple Falls trail felt like it was for professionals. The walk way is wide and open but to get the close to the falls you have to earn it. I read there is a away to access rocks in the middle of the stream at Triple Falls. We were cautious and uncertain of its location so we decided to stop at the .5 mile overlook and not to explore further to find them. We may have missed out on the full experience.
Looking Glass is like the warm up to Dry Falls. Truly a baby version. It was easy to see from the roadside and not difficult to access the base of it. Dry Falls was my best waterfall experience to date. Its so powerful. No confusing trails just a long set of steps leading straight to the natural wonder. The water is so loud. When I was standing underneath it I somehow couldn’t believe it. What a refreshing perspective.
Detailed Carryout Review
Click here.
Prince ISSA TURNS 9!!!!!!
We chose to stay local for the big day. The Craving’s vegan cup cake was average. The space and the aroma was more amazing than the cup cake. Issa loved the textured wall.
Local food news
I have been following the development of Epiq Food Hall since the closing of its neighbor, Habitat for Humanity Restore. Originally, when I visited the Epiq Food Hall website the vendors where not populated and there was no hint about what type of food to expect. I saw two ladies with Gucci belts taking a tour of the Habitat for Humanity Restore space in October 2020 and that was my first indication that something other than the hall or expansion of the hall was on the way.
Epiq Food Hall celebrated its grand opening April 1st, 2021. The decor is swanky. It has an edge on other food halls I’ve travelled to in Baltimore and Manhattan. I was delighted to have the opportunity to listen to Joseph Brotherton, Collin Chambers and Tyler Leak play live jazz music on April 17th from 6:30-7:30pm.
Piano: Collin Chambers, Drums: Tyler Leak, Trumpet: Joe Brotherton
According to a recent article the reason for choosing Woodbridge as the location for Epiq Food Hall was to appeal to Northern Virginia residents who do not want to travel to the city for atmosphere, music and diversity in food options. Phase two the project will be in the old Habitat for Humanity Restore space. It will host ax throwing, corn hole, and giant Jenga.
I tried tacos from two places:
The Raw Chopped Cauliflower taco was very spicy. I couldn’t taste anything but heat. The Red Hook, a cooked taco made of mushrooms, brussel sprouts tossed in szechuan sauce, corn salsa, micro cilantro, green onions had a texture I didn’t like and a burnt flavor, although, the food wasn’t burnt. I didn’t like either of these tacos.
The Hawaiian Taco made with fresh pineapple, onion, carrot, tomato, cucumber and crispy tofu. I ordered it without the lime sauce which is mayo based. I enjoyed it. I haven’t had this combination of flavors before and I love pineapples.
