Moses Cone Manor

A Walk at Flat Top

| Flower Roberts

I tried another new trail today. I am picking flat places to walk by myself. Any time I hike on uneven terrain or wander off the trail, some stumbling starts. I did not take my walking stick today, so I had to be extra careful.

Brackets and moss on a dead tree.

Today’s walk was on one of the roads around the Flat Top Manor, which is also known as the Moses Cone Estate. The mansion is not open yet, but you can park and walk the grounds.

Moses Cone Estate

I am happy to report that I wobbled but did not fall down today. I also got some pictures of lovely bracket fungi. I found colonies on several dead trees. Brackets are identified by color, top texture and pores.

I did not risk climbing up or down banks to identify these. We will appreciate them from afar.

Large bracket

I also spotted a single Bloodroot bloom.

Bloodroot flower

Finding all this and not falling down was a win:win!

FLOWER

Picnic in Heaven

| Flower Roberts

There is a beautiful and peaceful spot near our house. It is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Moses Cone Manor. It is shaded by tall oaks and carpeted with green moss.


There are lovely flame azaleas scattered amongst the tables adding bright color in the shade. I have driven by and visited this tranquil spot my entire life.

Flame azaleas

I even spent the night here once on a roadtrip from college. I stayed up to keep our fire going and melted the tips of my new running shoes.

Picnic in heaven

This place could not be more picturesque. I stopped to thank the caretakers. It is obvious that they care about this haven…or is it heaven?

Blooms on the moss carpet

FLOW

Sitting on the Front Porch

| Flower Roberts

I am at one of my favorite places. The Moses Cone Estate. The house is not open but the grounds are. I am sitting on the front porch while my sis and friend go for a walk on the horse trail/ carriage road.

Porch view


This place makes me think of my daddy. To see more about the estate. Type its name in my search box.

FLOW

Moses Cone Manor

| Flower Roberts

Between the mountains and the sky of North Carolina

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is a mansion

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with a view of a lovely lake in the valley below.

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I have rocked on the porch

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and climbed the stairs to wander its rooms and peek out its windows

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and think of a time,  when a man with a vision

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could see it to its fruition, by age fifty one.

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Amazing.

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FLOWER