Blue Ridge Parkway
Before departing the Smoky Mountains we popped by the Mingus Mill to tour a historic building that is still in operation grinding corn to meal. Entered the Blue Ridge Parkway excited for the next 500 miles of gorgeous tree lined roads, 45 mph speed limit, with absolutely no commercial vehicles! Took a step back in time as we passed many Model-T cars headed toward a convention. Landed in Asheville, North Carolina for the evening. Enjoyed the sweet artsy town, with loads of cute shops, galleries and delicious places to eat. Luxembourg Ave Brewery (LAB) was the dinner destination, we devoured polenta and pork chops, arugula chicken burgers with seasoned potatoes. Stopped by a cool store and purchased a brand new cast iron skillet perfect size for the van.
The next day we continued up the BRP to climb the highest point on the east side, fittingly named Mt Mitchell. At the top we were socked in from a passing storm, but pretty neat to have made it so high! Back on the road we stopped at the North Carolina Minerals Museum and learned all about the rocks in the area. Last activity of the day was a three mile hike to Linville Falls, a pretty large water fall with many different vantage views. On our hike back an unexpected down pour erupted from the sky, soaking us to the core and encouraging us to run, slide and play down the muddy trail back to the van. On the road again, and in dry clothes, we made our way toward Grandfather Mountain. Disappointingly the main attraction, a mile high swinging bridge, was closed, so we wandered into the sweet little town instead and happened by a great campground on the river with a HUGE open green field to play in. After an extensive game of frisbee and attempting to blow every single dandelion puff in the grass, we made a delicious vegetable stir fry with tortellini, before falling into bed from an eventful and exhausting day.
In the morning we woke to the sun peaking through the clouds. Loaded up the van after breakfast to hit the road but not before we called to wish our wonderful mommas a happy Mother’s Day! A ways down the road at Otter Point we parked Robin beside a lake to stroll a winding trail along the shoreline. Saw lots of wildlife including a snake and many different kinds of birds. Stopped to admire Otter Rocks Mountain and its distinctly changing foliage, it looks like a rainbow of seasons starting with green Spring at the base, shades of yellow/orange summer/fall and working up to brown Winter at the top. Crossed a sweet little bridge back to the parking lot. Continued on the Blue Ridge parkway with its jaw dropping views of valleys, hills, and rainbow mountains at every turn. Rolled our eyes every time Google Gretta, yes we nicknamed our GPS, interrupted a Click and Clack podcast, to remind us to STAY STRAIGHT. Pulled in to the BRP music museum, on the Virginia border, just in time to listen to a live blue grass band, fiddles, guitars, banjos and bass echoing off the breezeway walls. It was fantastic. Walked through an artfully curated museum learning all about the distinct music style of the Appalachians and its transformation over the years. Back on the road we passed mountains with clouds tucked into their green hills. Swang by Mabry Mill at sun set. Headed off the parkway again to sleep for the evening in the outskirts of Roanoke (the largest city near to the parkway). Stuffed ourselves silly from the outrageously large servings at Apple Bees before bed.
Last day on the Blue Ridge Parkway we cruised on up to Shenandoah National Park. Similar to the beautiful views from the past week, Shenandoah has overlooks every half mile, it’s fantastic. Walked through the visitor center’s museum to learn the heart wrenching story of the Appalachian families that had been displaced over the years starting with the Cherokee natives and the trail of tears to Oklahoma, then the farmers who moved in after the indigenous peoples were moved out, were displaced when the land of Shenandoah was claimed as a National Park, but this time they “paid” them to leave their homes and livelihoods, but in turn preserved the beautiful land for generations to enjoy. After that emotional roller coaster, we glided into a campsite in the Big Meadow, made some frittatas for dinner and snuggled up to watch the amazing movie Lincoln, see it if you haven’t already. Exhausted from even more emotion we slept.
