#lilacmarble

Granite Falls is known for its wild landscape, its verdant flora and its calming and rejuvenating atmosphere. It is one of the preferred destinations for mushroom hunters in early autumn, but there are many other things to do around here later in the season.

We are starting out little trip around by stopping at Grandpa' Joe's, the diner all locals swear by. A little recluse and away from more touristic spots, this is were you'll find Granite Falls' most authentic food and drinks. The diner's run by Joe and his wife Lila, who founded the restaurant before they were even grandparents! You won't be seeing Joe around much, but Lila will greet you with open arms and a mama bear attitude. She's also the one in charge of all the cooking, and you absolutely have to try her speciality, the camper's stew, made with fresh seasonal vegetables and game hunted by grandpa Joe himself! The locals here can be a bit gruff, but they'll make you their own after just a couple drinks and a game of darts (remember to drink with moderation!).

As I stopped for a hearty breakfast and engaged a jovial conversations, one of the locals recommended me his own cabin that he rents out for travellers. Located not too far from the town center, it is a small, cosy place close to all the good hiking trails. It has a small fireplace and rustic appliances in the kitchen, and can fit up to two adults in the bedroom adjacent. It is the perfect lodging for a couple looking for an adventure but not yet ready for the great outdoors.

Now, you all know me, I like a good challenge, so I obviously declined, and asked for a more... adventurous option. That's when they told me of a small campsite lost in the forest, about nine miles away from here. Only the true nature enthusiasts dared set up camp there, so I HAD to go and check it out. After a few more jokes and having refused numerous attempts at making me drink the local pine liquor (it was still morning after all!), I set out to find this mysterious campsite. What I found on the way was absolutely breathtaking. 

Vivid autumnal colours were coming to life around me as I walked through the dense forest: the yellow of birches, the red of maple trees, the orange of barberry shrubs, all splashing against the deep green of the pines. The sounds of bird calls above me was ever present, signalling the preparations for departure of the migratory types. The ground was soft with dead leaves and I could spot mushrooms, both edible and toxic, all around me. Immersed in this magical atmosphere, I soon reached my destination, and what I saw there got my adventurer's senses tingling: a small camping ground, nestled between fallen tree, was standing before me with just the simplest of amenities in view. A couple people seemed to have set camp here already, but no one was in sight.

The place proved to be the perfect hide-out and allowed me to enjoy far more of the nature around than what I could have had I stayed closer to the town center. I even managed to find a morel mushroom spot and had some for dinner that same night! (Remember, when in doubt, take your wild mushrooms to your pharmacist, they'll be able to identify them for you.)

After having spent the rest of my day walking around and enjoying the trails up and down the ravines, I prepared myself for a fresh evening in my tent, but not before taking the time to admire the incredible night sky from a clearing close-by. The area being devoid of light pollution allowed the stars to shine bright in the night and offer an extraordinary sight that seemed to have come right out of a fairy tale. With images of the glittery sky filling my head, I quickly fell asleep, enjoying a great night sleep in the fresh and quiet autumn air.

The peace was broken in the early hours of the morning by an incredibly loud noise: a stag, hidden in the forest, belling to his heart's content. I couldn't find him due to the heavy morning fog surrounding the camp, but those hoarse cries will forever stay with me. Now fully awake, I started preparing for my second and last day here in Granite Falls.

I decided to take a longer trail back to town to see a little more of the place before leaving. The one I chose was more difficult than the path I took on my way up, and I would advise on walking this one only if you have experience hiking in forest and mountain areas.

The path quickly rose up until it reach a plateau above a precipice, giving a clear view of the valley under with its wild nature seemingly never ending. After a couple hours and as the path slowly came to a soft slope, I spotted a little track on the side. Intrigued, I followed and after about ten minutes of going farther into the forest, I stumbled upon a little lake, hidden from the main trails around here. I learned later that this place was mostly used by the locals, with parents and children having set it up to enjoy the fresh water in the summer months. Right now though, the only ones enjoying the place were herons and wild ducks, taking a little dip before leaving on their journey south.

After taking a quick lunch break near the water, I set out again for the last leg of my descent. The way after the lake was the most difficult, with terrain feeling more like stairs rather than a smooth slope, and I was pretty sweaty when I finally reached town again.

It was time for me to go and leave Granite Falls, but not without stopping by Grandpa Joe's for a piece of home-made pie, a great reward after all that walking! I bid farewell to the locals and left, tired of my day but with memories I will not forget.

If you ever need more information to prepare you travel to Granite Falls, you can get in contact with the local rangers' office (all contact info can be found on their website: ganitefalls-rangers.sim.gov). You can also pay them a visit when you arrive in town, they will give you advice on what trails are best for your abilities and give you other recommendations for your stay there.

Have a nice one, and see you next time!

Malik Hafeez, adventurer extraordinaire, quickly rose to fame on simcial media for his travel logs and breathtaking photographs. In addition to his simfluenceur life, he now works as a journalist with SimTalk monthly in the hopes of sharing his love for travelling with a wider range of sims.

Granite Getaway by @lilacmarble​ (on the gallery)

Life is Strange 2 Wood by @alerionjkeee​

Hidden Lake by @nocturne-vi​

Monello Grounds by @pxltown​

Malik Hafeez by @auroragoth​

All pictures by @auroragoth​