Before the pandemic, I had the opportunity to visit the Fire Mountain Inn & Cabins & Resort  in the Highlands of North Carolina for a solo vacation. I have to admit, it was a little scary. I had never gone on vacation by myself but I wanted to do something just for me so I could relax and not think about anything serious.

The Highlands is one of the most beautiful places in the country and I encourage you to go and visit this area. Located in the middle of the Nantahala National Forest and close to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, there are all kinds of activities for adults and kids.

Fire Mountain is a full service boutique resort with a contemporary Inn, luxurious mountain top cabins and private treehouses. And…..no televisions! The treehouses intrigued me and the mention of a hammock on the back deck was the clincher.

The drive was really spectacular with Lake Harwell and lots of flea markets on the way which, as you know, is my jam.

The property is so tranquil as you drive up Happy Hill Road (how appropriate) and I was so looking forward to my stay here.

I was staying in one of the treehouses and I had to walk along a long narrow deck to get to my room.

Here is what I was looking for. The hammock of my childhood, except my childhood hammock was strung between two trees. But close enough and right out the door of the room onto the deck.

I was so tired from the drive that I didn’t do anything that night except chill and get a good night’s rest. The next morning I went to the Inn to have breakfast. It was set out buffet style and had the most delicious zucchini fritters.

After breakfast I went exploring at the Bascom Center for the Visual Arts. The exhibitions are always free and open to the public and it highlights the work of local artists as well as world-renowned artists. They also have classes, lectures, seminars and workshops.

After leaving the Center, I went horseback riding. This is one of my most favorite things to do since I was a little girl and my Dad took our family to a “dude” ranch. Ever since then, I was hooked and don’t have the opportunity to do it often enough.

Here’s my horse Thunder. I went out with a group of people and it was so much fun.

That night I went to the little village to walk around, bought a bottle of wine from a very cute wine shop and brought dinner back to my room to relax, eat and lay in my hammock.

The next day, I went to visit a few different waterfalls that this area is known for. They were so majestic and beautiful.

Back in my hammock. This is the life.

The next morning I headed back to Atlanta very well rested and excited about going on more solo trips.

Goodbye adirondack chairs. Another one of my favorites.

Let me know if you’ve ever gone on a solo vacation or trip and how it turned out. I’m a bit of a loner so I found that the solitude was really relaxing and I could get up and do anything I wanted and do things that maybe my other half or friends weren’t interested in. Not so scary after all.