The Blue Ridge Parkway is like a great winding snake through the trees, past endless vistas where the mountains seem to recede into infinity.
Each stop is a celebration: hop out of the car and breathe it all in. Inhale… exhale… it doesn’t get much better than this. All the beauty of an American road trip encompassed in one perfect stretch of asphalt.
We take the switchbacks with just a hint of speed- windows down and the wind in our hair as the early autumn sun beams in all warm and golden like the little stands of mountain honey set up on the shoulder. Sweet liquid sun, like stained glass. I drink it in as we pass by. The trees are hinting at the colourful splendor yet to come. It is the best of both worlds, this time in-between.
Blue. Green. Gold. Red.
The road is long and there is nowhere else we would rather be…
Ms. Millie in the Pisgah National forest… #1 fire preventer!
the view from Clingman’s Dome
Dragon Tail conquered!
entryway to a little bit of AT hiking
Lake Santeelah just before sunrise
AT wisdom: ‘go everywhere, study everything, fear nothing’
Sleep:
Pisgah National Forest Campground at Lake Powhatan
Lake Santeelah Campground at Cheoah Point
Hike:
Pisgah Peak: A beautiful day hike just outside of Asheville, NC
Clingman’s Dome: Drive, then take a short walk to the lookout tower to celebrate the highest point in the Smoky Mountains
The Appalachian Trail: There are lots of opportunities to hop on the AT from the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of our favourite day hikes to date is a short drive from Lake Santeelah- the Stecoah Gap , also known as Jacob’s Ladder by through-hikers for the thigh burning .8 miles of switchbacks
Drive:
Tail of The Dragon: A carnival ride of a drive- 318 curves in 11 miles!
Visit:
Asheville: Art, hiking, pinball, craft beer, and a virtual ‘Foodtopia’ of amazing restaurants
Lovely!!