Pack your bags, grab your map, and buckle up — we’re headed deep into the heart of fall magic. Destination? Golden Valley, North Carolina. It is home of epic views, cozy campfires, and haunted thrills. Experience family fun that hits you right in the feels. Welcome to our most unforgettable October yet.

🧭 Stop 1: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort — A Hidden Gem

We stayed for a full week at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. It felt like the middle of nowhere, in the best way. Y’all… this place is a family fantasyland. Think rustic charm meets adventure park.

Quick backstory: My in-laws are living the RV dream and travel full-time. Every now and then, they call us up with a vacation invite we NEVER turn down. This time, they landed in a spot made for my husband Trey — Mr. Haunted House himself.

🎃 October + NC = Spooky Perfection

The timing couldn’t have been better. From Oct. 6–12, the weather was glorious: sun-warmed afternoons, crisp sweater-worthy nights, and golden leaves painting the mountains. It was fall at its finest.

We weren’t just there to roast s’mores and chill. Oh no — we had:

• Haunted houses with Hollywood-level thrills
• World-class disc golf
• Water parks in October (yes, really)
• Epic nature hikes
• A puzzle escape finale worthy of a movie

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🔥 DAY ONE: Tents, Golf Carts & Campfire Catchups

We rolled in at golden hour. Our home for the week? A tent — but not your basic scout setup. These things had beds, heat, and easy bathroom access.

Grandma met us at the gate and showed us the ropes — including our own golf cart (bless her). This park is HUGE, and the cart made it so much easier to explore, especially with hills everywhere.

That night? Firepit. Family. Stars. Perfect start.

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🌲 DAY TWO: Resort Recon & Haunted House #1

Time to scope out Jellystone! We hit the highlights:

• Putt-putt course (right outside our tent!)
• Fishing pond & inflatable water obstacle course
• Zipline & kayaks
• Basketball, tennis, laser tag in the woods
• Massive playgrounds
• Poolside cabanas & adult bar

It was like summer camp and a theme park had a baby.

That night, we ventured out to Lake Hickory Haunts — one of NC’s top-rated haunted experiences. We grabbed VIP tickets, skipped the lines, and screamed ourselves silly. Worth every penny!

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🥏 DAY THREE: Disc Golf + Resort Frights Round Two

Disc Golf Stop: South Mountain Christian Camp — a hidden gem with beautiful fairways and challenging shots. We LOVED it.

Back at Jellystone, the resort hosted their own haunted walk-throughs: one for the brave, one for the littles. Add in a spooky bus ride, trick-or-treating at RVs, and a $300 campsite decor contest? Total Halloween immersion.

That night, the decision was made: We’re making this trip an annual tradition.

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🌄 DAY FOUR: Asheville Adventures & Graveyard Chills

Grandparents + Amaya stayed behind to do Sunday activities. Trey and I went off-grid:

• Played 2 more disc golf rounds
• Watched the Cowboys WIN (Let’s go!)
• Ate nachos + wings at Pub319
• Survived Pinhead’s Graveyard — creepy, tight corridors and all.

Travel Tip: They only take cash — bring it!

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💦 DAY FIVE: Waterfalls, Gaga Ball & Bounce House Mayhem

Birthday girl Katie picked High Shoals Falls — a stunning hike with peaceful streams, benches, and family-friendly trails. We soaked in the views and the fresh mountain air.

Back at Jellystone:

• Bouncy blob fun ✔️
• Gaga ball domination ✔️
• Epic burgers from Grandpa ✔️

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⏱️ DAY SIX: Escape Room #13 — The Final Countdown

Our last full day brought the ultimate test: Black Mountain Escape.

Theme? Military mission. We brought in Grandpa, thinking his military background would give us an edge.

Plot twist: the directional pad beat us. We were SO CLOSE. The host said we only had 2 puzzles left.

Still, we laughed, high-fived, and vowed to return for revenge.

We ended the trip the way we started — with another competitive round of putt-putt under the stars. Trey took the W again. (I’ll get you next year, buddy.)

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✨ Puzzle Time! ✨

Before we roll into the sunset of this post, it’s time to stretch your brain. Play along with our ROAD TRIP RIDDLE! 💡🛣️

Riddle Me This:

I flip your view, change your stance,
Turn mountains into sky at a single glance.
I’m not backwards, not inside-out,
But when I’m here, the world’s in doubt.
What am I?

🧠 Got your guess?

👉 Hint: You might feel this way on a rollercoaster. You might also feel this way when you realize your kid packed zero socks for a 5-day trip.

🌟 FAMILY VACATION MAGIC — THE VERDICT

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Golden Valley wasn’t just a trip — it was a core memory.

Every detail was thoughtful — from the stocked sports equipment to the epic fall events. Whether you’re a disc golf nut, a haunted house junkie, a nature lover, or just need a family escape. This place hits the mark.

Thanks for cruising through our Golden Valley getaway. We laughed and explored. We got just the right amount of spooked. We made memories that’ll stick like marshmallows to a s’mores stick. 🍫🔥

🚗💨 See you on the next one! Until then — keep chasing the moments that make your heart race and your soul rest.

With love from the road,
– QUITA + the Uniquely Mixed crew