One of the biggest questions people asked us when we decided to become full-time RVers was:
“What about General?”
General, our “Totally Awesome Water Dog,” has been part of every adventure since day one, and honestly, we can’t imagine traveling without him.
This trip through the North Carolina mountains proved that RV life with a dog isn’t just possible—it makes every adventure even better.
From historic cabins and waterfalls to scenic overlooks and mountain streams, General was right there enjoying every minute of it.
Exploring Hickory Ridge Living History Farm
One of our favorite stops near Boone was Hickory Ridge Living History Museum.
The museum features several authentic log cabins and historic buildings that tell the story of early settlers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Walking through cabins built in the late 1700s really gives you an appreciation for how difficult life once was.
The oldest cabin on the property dates back to 1785, and standing inside those hand-hewn log walls makes history feel surprisingly real.
Even better?
They welcomed General on the guided tour.
During the guide’s introduction, General stretched out at his feet so comfortably that the guide actually stopped to ask if our dog was alright!
That’s General for you—completely relaxed anywhere people are willing to pet him.
If you enjoy history, this is definitely worth adding to your Blue Ridge Parkway itinerary.
A Walk Through Mountain History
The living history farm includes much more than one cabin.
We explored:
- A historic tavern
- A blacksmith shop
- A spring house used to keep food cool
- Craft buildings with weaving, spinning, candle making, and woodworking demonstrations
Seeing the enormous hand loom and spinning wheel reminded us how much everyday life depended on handmade skills just a couple hundred years ago.
Places like this help preserve a way of life that’s easy to forget today.
Touring the Beautiful Moses H. Cone Manor
Another highlight of the trip was visiting Moses H. Cone Memorial Park near Blowing Rock.
The grand manor, completed around the turn of the twentieth century, sits on an enormous estate overlooking rolling mountain meadows, forests, and Trout Lake.
Today the house serves as a craft center, while miles of walking trails wind throughout the property.
It’s one of those peaceful places where you can easily spend several hours simply wandering and enjoying the scenery.
Trying Our Hand at Gem Mining
Sometimes you just have to be a tourist.
We stopped at one of the area’s gem mining attractions and bought buckets of mining rough to wash through the sluice.
Neither of us expected to strike it rich, but it was a surprisingly fun way to spend an afternoon.
By the end, we had found colorful quartz, amethyst, topaz, and several other interesting stones.
Everything was labeled on an identification card afterward, making it easy to remember what we’d found.
Did Ed really leave all the best stones for me?
I’ll let him keep telling that story.
Lunch at Roy’s 105 Diner
After a busy morning exploring, we stopped for lunch at Roy’s 105 Diner near Boone.
The restaurant has a fun classic music theme with memorabilia from artists like Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline decorating the walls.
We both ordered the Patsy Cline Melt, and it turned out to be one of those simple meals that’s surprisingly delicious.
Sometimes the local diners become just as memorable as the tourist attractions.
Hiking to Otter Falls
One of our goals during this trip was finding hikes that would be easy enough for General to enjoy.
Based on several online reviews, Otter Falls sounded perfect.
Well…
Not exactly.
While the waterfall itself is absolutely beautiful, we somehow missed the large sign at the trailhead describing it as a strenuous hike.
By the time we realized our mistake, we’d already made the climb back to the parking lot.
Thankfully, benches along the trail gave us plenty of opportunities to catch our breath.
General even cooled off for a few minutes in the creek before deciding he’d rather continue exploring.
The hike may have been harder than expected, but the waterfall made every step worthwhile.
General’s Adventures
General always seems to discover the best parts of every trip.
He investigated streams, made new friends, carried his favorite toy everywhere, and somehow managed to fall asleep while still holding it in his mouth.
He even discovered mountain spring water along the Blue Ridge Parkway and decided it tasted much better than campground water.
Watching him experience each new place reminds us to slow down and enjoy the simple things.
Dogs really do make wonderful traveling companions.
The Linn Cove Viaduct
One of the engineering marvels along the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Linn Cove Viaduct.
As you drive around the mountain, portions of the roadway appear to float along the mountainside, giving spectacular views while protecting the fragile landscape below.
It’s easily one of the most scenic stretches of the Parkway and a must-see for anyone visiting the area.
Pictures honestly don’t do it justice.
Exploring Linville Caverns
We also toured Linville Caverns, one of North Carolina’s only commercial limestone cave systems.
Unfortunately, the video footage inside the caverns was simply too dark to use, so we relied on photographs instead.
Even so, walking through the cool underground passages was a fascinating experience and a nice break from the summer heat.
Sometimes the Best Moments Aren’t Planned
We had hoped to visit Linville Falls, but when we arrived, the parking lot was completely full.
Rather than fight the crowds, we turned around and headed back.
On the way out, we happened to stop at a quiet overlook where General discovered a small mountain stream.
For nearly an hour we had the place entirely to ourselves while he splashed through the water, chased sticks, and enjoyed every second.
It turned out to be one of our favorite memories of the entire trip.
Sometimes the places you never planned become the ones you remember most.
Traveling with a Dog
Living full-time in an RV with a large dog requires a little extra planning, but we’ve found the rewards far outweigh the challenges.
General gets us outside more often.
He introduces us to fellow campers.
He reminds us to slow down.
And he finds joy in the smallest adventures.
Whether it’s a mountain stream, a historic cabin, or simply meeting new people at a campground, life is always a little more fun with him along for the ride.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Continue the Journey
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