Fireworks, watermelon and wine …. Good 4th of July in Asheville. While driving around Asheville, I noticed signs for the Blue Ridge Parkway. After watching the fireworks, I logged on to learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway while trying one of the bottles of wine.
“The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a road – it’s a beautiful journey that entices visitors to explore a 469-mile gateway to America’s rich cultural heritage including Cherokee traditions, music, crafts, agriculture and nature. ”
Wine wasn’t worth a 2nd glass. Down the drain it went.
But the Blue Ridge Parkway! Suddenly my next day’s route was planned. More watermelon and I was ready for bed.
Rise and shine and I was off ….. I did stop at the local supermarket for a ice chest, ice and water! The front desk staff at my hotel were super — they had so many places for me to see, my head was swimming. I opted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway to Brevard because there’s a beautiful waterfall near Brevard.
Oh my, I was not prepared for the drive.
Blue Ridge Parkway Welcome
The Valley
Chestnut Cove sign
Early Morning at Chestnut Cove
Having been in Wyoming in late May where I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, I was unprepared for the similar feeling of overwhelmed I had while driving the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The western US with its rugged, sharp peaks is masculine while the eastern US has verdant round rolling mountains, feminine in my mind. There’s no way to compare the 2 sides just like it’s impossible to compare man to woman.
Cradle of Forestry Overlook
Guess I didn’t get a photo when I reached 6000 foot elevation. Probably because at that point I realized that I was 1) climbing higher and higher on a mountain road and 2) driving along the tops of the mountains. eek …..
About the time, my nerves started getting the best of me, I exited to head down (yup, approximately 34 miles downhill on winding roads) to Brevard, on the hunt for the water falls.
I was relieved to head down from the Parkway but at some point during the 34-miles, I realized I had no reception on either phone and no one knew where I was. DOH! Maybe I didn’t need to continue at 45 mph.
Aha, the falls!
Looking Glass Waterfall
Looking Glass Waterfalls
It was a nice refreshing stop along the way to Brevard — a short hike around the falls, in the woods. After seeing the falls, I didn’t need to go to Brevard … except I had to pee.
Peeing played a big part in my trip. There were a lot of unplanned stops to take care of that basic need. I wish I could say I only peed in toilets … but no. There were several moments I had to pull off the road and head into the woods. Oh well.
Back on the road again. Turns out the best way to get to Great Smoky Mountains National Park was to go back on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Deep breath and my big girl pants and I was climbing up again.
Appalachian Trail
Loved this! It was a very rewarding 4 mile hike just before I crossed over to Tennessee.
NC-TN State Line
Weird observation: North Carolina has barriers on the Parkway, Tennessee does not.
