A brief road trip. In southeastern USA; North Carolina & Tennessee. Paid for travel expenses (flight, car rental, lodging) – how anti-DansDealsian = הרבה דרכים למקום. Many hours of driving, many hours of audiobooks, many stunning vistas. Hey, it isn’t Antarctica, or even the Arctic, but Nothin’ Fishy about this vacation.
Day #1: Flew into Charlotte. Drove to Asheville. Brief stop at Chimney Rock State Park. There stands a flag flying high, though flag was lowered prior to sunset. In Asheville, spent evening hours at Biltmore Estate, a big house. Mr. Vanderbilt planted a big garden around his big house. Mr. Chihuly adorned that garden with glass (now available for a limited time… ends in October). Night in Asheville, NC.
Chimney Rock State Park
Chihuly @ Biltmore Estate
Day #2: Drove through Great Smoky (not to be confused with the bear whose name is Smokey) Mountains National Park. Rolling hills upon rolling hills. Newfound Gap Road (+ many scenic overlooks), Clingmans Dome (it’s a long walk up, and followed by another walk up to the observation tower), hiked the Alum Caves Trail (not a cave). Later in the day, met Smoky (or is it Smokey?) Bear with her cubbies in Cades Cove. Night in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Scenic Overlooks
Clingsman Dome
Cades Cove
Day #3: Drove back to Asheville. Someone colored on the city walls, ‘tis art they say. Place is drippin’ with Good Vibes. Rest of day on Blue Ridge Parkway heading north. Craggy Gardens area is nice, as is Linville Falls for a driving break. Grandfather Mountain has (for a fee) an elevated pedestrian walkway to nowhere that gently is blowin’ in the wind (“Mile High Swinging Bridge”). Night in Blowing Rock, NC.
Asheville Foundation Walls
Blue Ridge Parkway Views
