Grandfather Mountain 2012

**Thomas H** · 29th June 12, 08:23 AM

Does anyone know if we can get to the swinging bridge and zoo on Grandfather Mt. ?
By walking or driving without haveing to get on shuttle van ?

And does anyone know of good resterants around that area ?

I am staying at the Pinnacle Inn on Beach Mt. , any ideas of things to do after the games in that area ?
Thank you so much - I am trying to plan this thing out .

**Lyle1** · 29th June 12, 07:49 PM

I don't know where the zoo is, but the swinging bridge is accessible by car. Coming from the Pinnacle Inn, you would drive past the parking lots at the base of Grandfather Mountain, make a left turn, and drive up the mountain. The entrance to the swinging bridge is a little beyond the site of the games and on the left; you'll see a booth at the gate; the bridge is at the very top of the mountain.

**Tartan Hiker** · 29th June 12, 09:07 PM

Thomas, you can't walk from the games area to the other Grandfather Mtn. attractions, as Lyle said, you have to drive and go through the ticket booth, which is located up (literally) the road from McRae Meadow (where the games and camping areas are). If you are accessing the games via shuttle, I'm not sure how you'd get there...a shuttle may run that way but most run down the road rather than up. Parking and moving a vehicle around during the day is the biggest pain of the games, as you will discover. I'd offer to give you a lift up and back, but where I park I usually get blocked in and can't get my truck out until late in the afternoon.
There are plenty of nice restaurants in the towns in the vicinity. I've found several spots in Blowing Rock that I like, especially a nice British pub on the main drag through the old part of town. Boone is a college town and has plenty of eating.

**Dixiecat** · 30th June 12, 05:18 AM

My countdown has begun. For our big yearly adventure, my daughter and I will be going to GMHG. We'll be driving there and back from my parents in Hamilton, Ontario and camping at the Games for the total experience. We should be arriving on Monday before the Games and getting to some of the attractions before our car is parked for the rest of the week.

If you have teenaged children with you at the games who might be bored and looking for the same, stop by our campsite and we'll hook the kids up. I intend to enjoy myself and I'm looking forward to meeting more Xmarkers and introducing my daughter to haggis.

**piperdbh** · 2nd July 12, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

...I'm looking forward to meeting more Xmarkers and introducing my daughter to haggis.

A big chunk of fruitcake would be kind of nice, too, eh Dixiecat?

**Dixiecat** · 3rd July 12, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by piperdbh

A big chunk of fruitcake would be kind of nice, too, eh Dixiecat?

Depends on the fruitcake now doesn't it?

**turpin** · 30th June 12, 08:22 PM

Wow, all the way from Canada with ur girlie? Make sure to stop by or look me up at my campsite (family side) and we'll renew our aquaintance from when we met at the Stone Mt. Games. Not sure if you'll remember me out of all the other bucks in the herd that day, but I'm sure we'll run into each other at some point, especially if you're camping on the Mountain. Or see you at the Xmarks meetup.

When is it, BTW? usually noonish fri and sat at the STM info tent.

**Dixiecat** · 1st July 12, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by turpin

Wow, all the way from Canada with ur girlie? Make sure to stop by or look me up at my campsite (family side) and we'll renew our aquaintance from when we met at the Stone Mt. Games. Not sure if you'll remember me out of all the other bucks in the herd that day, but I'm sure we'll run into each other at some point, especially if you're camping on the Mountain. Or see you at the Xmarks meetup.

When is it, BTW? usually noonish fri and sat at the STM info tent.

Do I remember you? Indeed I do, although the seemingly bottomless glasses of scotch you plied me with have left me with only fuzzy images. Will make sure to run into you. Save me a glass!