THE SOUTHEAST'S FAMOUS CHIMNEY

Monday, October 10 - One more hike before the rain comes and cancels outdoor activities. We hiked up the steps to Chimney Rock this morning. This is a little too touristy for our liking, but it is something we wanted to see.

When we arrived it was drizzling, so we hit the small town.

Can you believe that in the spring/summer, there are huge rapids that flow through this area? Looked scary to us!

Chimney Rock, the 535-million-year-old monolith for which the Park is named, is considered one of the most iconic sites in North Carolina. From its top, you’ll soak in the 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

Where we are headed…waaaay up there.

We climbed the 1000's of steps up to the this towering 315-foot monolith located on the very edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains high above beautiful Hickory Nut Gorge.This is a fairly strenuous adventure.

Original steps

New reinforced steps.

At a soaring elevation of 2,280 feet with its 75-mile views, this mountaintop experience will take your breath away. Once you reach the top at 2280 feet you can see for miles and miles. It's an unobstructed view of Hickory Nut Gorge.

We then ventured down Hickory Nut Falls Trail. The reward for hiking this trail is standing below the 404 foot waterfalls at trails end. You also enjoy the sweeping view as you wind your way back the two miles to the Falls. The trail is rough. Hiking boots are HIGHLY recommended but…

Marsha and I were amazed to see how some people dress for the hike. One lady had on flip flops, another Crocks, and a third younger girl was dressed like she was heading out to the club for an evening of dancing. Come on people, this is the woods not the mall. (Side note: we watched all three of these ladies lose their balance and just about land on the rough rock.)

We picked the wrong time of the year to see the Falls. There wasn't much water falling, but it was a great hike!

More like a trickle than a Falls.

On the way back to the motorhome, we stopped at a little place for our favorite lunch.

We noticed something very strange in the car painting shop across the street. Is it really…Big Boy?

It was an enjoyable morning of hiking so the predicted rains can come now. That pretty much ends our time in the Black Mountains. It's on to Augusta, GA.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

TALLEST PEAK EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Sunday, October 9 – We took the road up to Mount Mitchell today. The description of the road up there is curvy, but Paul got more than he asked for. He gets sick on “spinner” type amusement rides, and this road ranked right up there with the best of them. It's one thing if you are a passenger on a curvy and hilly road but I was driving! I never got this car sick in the past. Thought I was on a fishing boat in rough seas. Marsha had to drive the remaining way up the mountain. There were a couple times I thought I was going to see my breakfast for a second time today. :=)

There was some beautiful pull-offs as we traveled up the mountain. The colors were spectacular. We were told the trees start turning a week or ten days sooner at the higher altitudes.

The mountain is over there somewhere.

As we drove up the mountain, it became clear that it wouldn't be clear at the top.

When we arrived at the top of the mountain, we were in the clouds, the wind was blowing, the temperature had dropped to 33 degrees, the air was thin, and we had a very steep walk up to the observation tower.

Marsha asked a nice lady to take her picture to prove she was actually at the top.

She saw nothing!

Add all this to Paul's very sick stomach, dizziness, and the fact he had shorts on instead of warmer longer pants, and you may have of guessed he choose to sit in the car. He did purchase some crackers at the snack bar which made him feel a little better. Just in time for the curvy decent. By the time we returned to the MH, he was on the verge of throwing up. Not a great excursion for Paul today!

Some Mount Mitchell Facts:

1. Elevation 6684 feet

2. Tallest peak east of the Mississippi River (Mount Washington in NH is 6288' – 396' lower)

3. Established as a State Park in 1915

4. North Carolina's first State Park

5. Number of visitors (2010)...345,450

6. Record high temperature: 81* in 1999

7. Record cold temperature:  - 34* in 1985

8. Average winter snowfall: 104 inches

9. Dr. Elisha Mitchell, a science professor at UNC used barometric pressure reading to determine the peak to be the highest in the east. This was in 1835. He was just 12 feet off from modern calculations. He is buried at the summit.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

AMERICA'S FAVORITE SCENIC DRIVE

Friday, October 7 – We headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the beautiful countryside and the fall colors. We are probably a week or so early for the peak viewing, but the trees are beginning to change and more so at higher altitudes.

Following mountain crests from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the gateway to Appalachian country.

The Parkway extends for 469 miles combining awesome natural beauty with the pioneer history of gristmills, weathered cabins, and split rail fences to create the country's most popular National Park area. It is said to be in one days driving distance to half the population of the U.S.A.

We started at Black Mountain, SC, and headed south on the Parkway through dozens of tunnels, winding roads, peaks and valleys. There are so many places to stop and enjoy the beautiful vistas.

We stopped at Sliding Rock Falls where brave souls can slide down the slippery rocks on their butt. Marsha loved the slide! (Just kidding. She would have frozen it off!)

Looking down the slide.

From across the water. It is 8' feet deep.

We stopped for a “Kodak Moment” at Looking Glass Falls. One of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States. The name "Looking Glass" comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Steps lead to an observation deck at the bottom of the falls.

We stopped just down the road for a picnic lunch Marsha had packed for us to enjoy.

There was so much to see along this drive! What a beautiful day, and what a beautiful area!

Heading home we decided to take the “back” way. No interstate. Instead we headed on a crooked mountain road that took us through many small towns and dozens of apple markets. This route is not for the faint of heart or those that experience car sickness.

Marsha loved this roadside market. It had tons of stuff for the kids to experience.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA

Thursday, October 6 – We drove the MH about three hours East to Asheville, NC, this morning. We are staying at Cove Creek RV Park which is about 25 miles east of Asheville. Pretty bare-bones campground, but they accept Passport America everyday all year round! We are certainly out in the country! Should be good and dark out here when the sun goes down. Beautiful countryside. The leaves are just beginning to turn colors. Will be astonishing here in about 10 days!

Looking up at our site

We took a ride to Asheville this afternoon to stop at the visitor's center and pick-up some brochures. We have too many things planned for the six days we will be here.....have to set our priorities!  While in Asheville we took a self-guided tour of downtown. They call it the Urban Trail/Public Art Walking Tour.

Most streets are narrow and crowded with stores, cafes and specialty shops.

Let me just say the hippie movement is alive and well in Asheville. There are hundreds of young people dressed accordingly (think 1966)  just hanging out downtown. The parks are full, the benches along the streets are occupied, they are playing musical instruments for handouts, many of the stores and street vendors target their eclectic choice of shopping, and there are an abundance of artsy shops, restaurants, and bars to hang out with their friends.

Can you see the tie dye clothing?

Indoor shopping.

Flat Iron Architecture is a replica of one used by a local laundry.

Appalachian Stage…five bronze figures of dancers and musicians celebrate the significance of Appalachian culture in the community. 

Cat Walk…this station is a favorite on the Urban Trail.

We did see some interesting historical sights. Our favorite was the Basilica of Saint Lawrence. What a beautiful church. It has some amazing architectural features. Especially, the dome in the main cathedral. It is constructed from individually laid bricks. How was that built and how does it stay up there? Amazing!

This is one of only 56 Basilicas in the United States. Basilica is a special designation given by the Holy Father to certain churches because of their antiquity, dignity, historical importance or significance as a place of worship.

The lunette over the main entrance represents Christ giving the keys of the kingdom to Peter and appointing him head of the Church.

The ceiling is a huge dome stretching out 82 feet by 58 feet and is considered the largest free standing elliptical dome in North America.

You can see the dome roof from this angle.

The walking tour was nice, but a bit confusing to follow. If you want to see the city though, this is the way to do it. It took us about an hour and half to see the sights.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!