North Carolina

Thursday 09/23/10 Day 005

Today's leisurely drive covered 155 miles and brought us into the North Carolina section of the Blue Ridge. Stops included a side to Roanoke, T. T. Trail's cabin (many were built along the parkway, but few still exist), Mabry Mill (toured to grounds, old workshops and the mill), the Blue Ridge Music Center (disappointing because on this day, the music stopped before we arrived) and finally, the Doughton Campground.

A few days ago, I read that the haze in the valley's was caused by ozone. A display in the visitor's center museum at Peaks of Otter Campground suggested that the over 75% of the air pollution is directly attributable to burning coal. This is coal country, but seeing the constant haze, you'd think people would put a higher value on clean air. Surely there is a better way. 

I remember visiting Mabry's Mill on several occasions in years (many years) past. It still looks the same. The park service seems to be taking good care of one of the more popular attractions on the parkway. 

Several articles we've read suggest that the fall colors are at their peak in mid-October. That appears to be true enough, but we do see some evidence that the show is imminent, especially in the higher elevations. 

Most of the campgrounds along the parkway are what you might call primitive. There in no water or electric at the site. The bath houses have no shower facilities and although there are flush toilets, generally, there are no electric lights in them. Skylights allow sunlight in, but in the nighttime, it's bring your own light!

Internet and cell phone connections are almost none existent! That's much different than sailing the waterway where we have almost constant connections. The only real exceptions are the remote anchorages in Georgia.