Monday 09/26/10 Day 009
After an early departure, we crossed the Great Smokey Mountains and into Gatlinburg in rain with fog and clouds hanging in the mountains. We left camp in the dark and when the sun came up, we still couldn't see anything due to the weather conditions.
After a stop for parts at a Camping World store (the RV equivalent to Boat US) we headed off in the direction of Jekyll Island. We hope to meet friends there tomorrow. Driving in the mountains with all of the spiral and hairpin turns in the rain and clouds is tedious. We'll be happy to get back to flat land.
We made camp at a Comfort Inn Campground. With an early departure and some luck with traffic, we would arrive at Jekyll Island no later than mid-morning.
Sunshine almost always makes me high! (John Denver)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
The Great Smokey Mountain Railroad
Sunday 09/26/10 Day 008
It's 0830 and we're off to ride the Great Smokey Mountain train. We boarded at 1015 hours and we ere underway for our 4 1/2 hour excursion by 1030 hours.
Our first impression? Is that vine Kudzu? After closer inspection we confirmed our suspicion. The Japanese Honeysuckle has taken over the forest! We later learned that it covers 67,000 acres. No wonder... It grows about 1 1/2 feet a day and there is no way to kill it.
Scientists are studying the problem and have found potential uses for the plant or portions thereof. First and foremost are potential medicinal uses including alcoholism. One university is studying ways to harness the plants amazing power to convert nutrients into energy. The locals even make a Kudzu Blossom jelly that tastes like a cross between white grape and peach jam. I din't think demand and production have caught up to supply.
The train passes by the world famous Nantahala National Forrest where white water is king. Even on this wet, rainy day, folks in kayaks, canoes and rafts were testing their skills. We watched some of the competition at the Olympic Kayak Training facility.
Fontana Lake was interesting. The lake was formed by the Fontana Dam, a project by the TVA. It is the dam east of the Mississippi. It provided the electricity for the secret (at the time) Oak Ridge project that developed the atomic bomb.
On our return to Bryson City, we checked out the model train museum, reportedly one of the ten best collections of Lionel trains. The display represents 1/8th of the donor's collection!
Because it is cold and rainy, we decided not to return to the Deep Creek cg in the Great Smokey national Forest. We've been boondocking for a week (RV talk for no hook ups) so it's on to a KOA so we can run the heater and get connected.
It's 0830 and we're off to ride the Great Smokey Mountain train. We boarded at 1015 hours and we ere underway for our 4 1/2 hour excursion by 1030 hours.
Our first impression? Is that vine Kudzu? After closer inspection we confirmed our suspicion. The Japanese Honeysuckle has taken over the forest! We later learned that it covers 67,000 acres. No wonder... It grows about 1 1/2 feet a day and there is no way to kill it.
Scientists are studying the problem and have found potential uses for the plant or portions thereof. First and foremost are potential medicinal uses including alcoholism. One university is studying ways to harness the plants amazing power to convert nutrients into energy. The locals even make a Kudzu Blossom jelly that tastes like a cross between white grape and peach jam. I din't think demand and production have caught up to supply.
The train passes by the world famous Nantahala National Forrest where white water is king. Even on this wet, rainy day, folks in kayaks, canoes and rafts were testing their skills. We watched some of the competition at the Olympic Kayak Training facility.
Fontana Lake was interesting. The lake was formed by the Fontana Dam, a project by the TVA. It is the dam east of the Mississippi. It provided the electricity for the secret (at the time) Oak Ridge project that developed the atomic bomb.
On our return to Bryson City, we checked out the model train museum, reportedly one of the ten best collections of Lionel trains. The display represents 1/8th of the donor's collection!
Because it is cold and rainy, we decided not to return to the Deep Creek cg in the Great Smokey national Forest. We've been boondocking for a week (RV talk for no hook ups) so it's on to a KOA so we can run the heater and get connected.
The Great Smokey Mountains
Saturday, 09/25/10
Geez... We slept in until 0900! What's up with that? It's a good thing we didn't have to cover a lot of miles. The parkway took us through lots of spiral turns and mountain tunnels.
We made it to the end to the parkway by noon. Just around the corner from the junction of the parkway and the road that bisects the Smokies, we found the Oconaluftee Visitors Center. There, we discovered that our chosen campground, Cataloochee, was full. That is the best place from which to see the elk herd. Maybe we'll try that another time. We settled for the campground at Deep Creek.
We drove through Cherokee. It's very ticky-tacky and a bit run down. Not a fitting tribute to the proud Cherokee nation.
From there, we drove to Bryson City where we strolled around town and made reservations for a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The train will take us on a 44 mile run. We decided to enjoy dinner on board. The excursion takes about 4.5 hours. Considering the drive time and the fact that we're supposed to be at the station one hour before departure, it appears that the ride will chew up most of our day.
Deep Creek CG, in the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest, has a nice babbling brook running through it. The stream is used by young and old alike for tubing. We saw children tubing for about 1/4 mile, then they' get out of the stream and run back up stream and do it again... Over and over again! What great fun!!
We took our walk around the campground. Once we picked out our site, we registered and went about setting up the camper. it so happened that the cabinet affixed to the ceiling fell down while we were traveling. It sure seems like this Palomino camper is a hunk of junk. Signs of poor workmanship abound. Too bad I didn't notice most it before I bought the unit.
Fortunately, we had materials to effect repairs. By tomorrow evening, the glue should be permanently set and the cabinet will be useful again.
Geez... We slept in until 0900! What's up with that? It's a good thing we didn't have to cover a lot of miles. The parkway took us through lots of spiral turns and mountain tunnels.
We made it to the end to the parkway by noon. Just around the corner from the junction of the parkway and the road that bisects the Smokies, we found the Oconaluftee Visitors Center. There, we discovered that our chosen campground, Cataloochee, was full. That is the best place from which to see the elk herd. Maybe we'll try that another time. We settled for the campground at Deep Creek.
We drove through Cherokee. It's very ticky-tacky and a bit run down. Not a fitting tribute to the proud Cherokee nation.
From there, we drove to Bryson City where we strolled around town and made reservations for a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. The train will take us on a 44 mile run. We decided to enjoy dinner on board. The excursion takes about 4.5 hours. Considering the drive time and the fact that we're supposed to be at the station one hour before departure, it appears that the ride will chew up most of our day.
Deep Creek CG, in the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest, has a nice babbling brook running through it. The stream is used by young and old alike for tubing. We saw children tubing for about 1/4 mile, then they' get out of the stream and run back up stream and do it again... Over and over again! What great fun!!
We took our walk around the campground. Once we picked out our site, we registered and went about setting up the camper. it so happened that the cabinet affixed to the ceiling fell down while we were traveling. It sure seems like this Palomino camper is a hunk of junk. Signs of poor workmanship abound. Too bad I didn't notice most it before I bought the unit.
Fortunately, we had materials to effect repairs. By tomorrow evening, the glue should be permanently set and the cabinet will be useful again.
Some Trip Notes and a Poem from Ranger Lou!
Friday, 09/24/10 Day 006
So, while we're cruising down the parkway, we're debating whether or not we should stop at Mt. Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, it is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Anna Marie has never been there. I might have been around ten years old when i was there on a family vacation to the Blue Ridge. As I recall, there wasn't much to see. Besides a fire tower that was closed to the public, it was cold and damp. I don't think we got out of the car. It was apparently good enough justvto be able to tell people that we had been to the highest point east of the Ole Miss.
Well we decided to go to the summit and it was great decision. The weather was perfect and visibility was great. Beside the large parking lot, there is a refreshment stand, a gift shop and the Mt. Mitchell Museum. There is now a 280 yard long, red stamped concrete path leading to the summit. At the summit is a spiral ramp to an observation platform. In all directions, the views are spectacular. We could see mountains in Tennessee and Clingman's Dome in the Great Smokies to the south.
Dr. Mitchell was a professor at the University of North Carolina, perished while exploring the mountain. His body was entombed in a local church's grave yard for a year before people felt it appropriate that his final resting place should be on the mountain. His tomb sits at the summit at the base of the observation platform.
We enjoyed lunch and the spectacular view at the highest restaurant in the eastern US. The restaurant is about one mile from the summit.
We chose the stay in the Mt. Pisgah Campground in the Pisgah National Forest About 45 miles of the parkway cuts through the Pisgah National Forest.
We attended two campfire programs, both conducted by Ranger Lou, who is a twelve year live aboard RV'er. She made great presentations and offered the following poem to a camper who never heard the term "scat" before:
"It's a four letter word that starts with an "S" and ends with a "T."
It comes out of you and it comes out of me.
But we can't say that so we call it "scat."
We're never disappointed by these ranger presentations.
When we settled in to the camper for the evening, the night was cool and still. It appears that a cold front is on the way. We are expecting rain tomorrow evening, Sunday and into Monday.
So, while we're cruising down the parkway, we're debating whether or not we should stop at Mt. Mitchell, at 6,684 feet, it is the highest point east of the Mississippi. Anna Marie has never been there. I might have been around ten years old when i was there on a family vacation to the Blue Ridge. As I recall, there wasn't much to see. Besides a fire tower that was closed to the public, it was cold and damp. I don't think we got out of the car. It was apparently good enough justvto be able to tell people that we had been to the highest point east of the Ole Miss.
Well we decided to go to the summit and it was great decision. The weather was perfect and visibility was great. Beside the large parking lot, there is a refreshment stand, a gift shop and the Mt. Mitchell Museum. There is now a 280 yard long, red stamped concrete path leading to the summit. At the summit is a spiral ramp to an observation platform. In all directions, the views are spectacular. We could see mountains in Tennessee and Clingman's Dome in the Great Smokies to the south.
Dr. Mitchell was a professor at the University of North Carolina, perished while exploring the mountain. His body was entombed in a local church's grave yard for a year before people felt it appropriate that his final resting place should be on the mountain. His tomb sits at the summit at the base of the observation platform.
We enjoyed lunch and the spectacular view at the highest restaurant in the eastern US. The restaurant is about one mile from the summit.
We chose the stay in the Mt. Pisgah Campground in the Pisgah National Forest About 45 miles of the parkway cuts through the Pisgah National Forest.
We attended two campfire programs, both conducted by Ranger Lou, who is a twelve year live aboard RV'er. She made great presentations and offered the following poem to a camper who never heard the term "scat" before:
"It's a four letter word that starts with an "S" and ends with a "T."
It comes out of you and it comes out of me.
But we can't say that so we call it "scat."
We're never disappointed by these ranger presentations.
When we settled in to the camper for the evening, the night was cool and still. It appears that a cold front is on the way. We are expecting rain tomorrow evening, Sunday and into Monday.
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.
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.
The Blue Ridge
Wednesday 09/22/10 004 We departed Matthew's Arm CG at 1000 hours. We breezed through a few overlook areas (there are 75 of them on the Skyline Drive) and reached the southern terminus at 1200 hours.
The Blue Ridge Parkway continues where the Skyline Drive stops and, after stopping at a visitors center, we continued on our journey on the Blue Ridge.
The vistas are equally spectacular when compared to the Skyline Drive but today's unseasonably warm temperature (high 80's) seems to have caused a layer of ozone to hang around the mountains. The speed limit on the Blue Ridge is 45 mph as compared to 35 on the Skyline Drive. I recall days long ago when the slow speed limits made me antsy. Most times, I would seek out an Interstate or two to speed up the trip. Not this time. The speed limit is very comfortable and we're enjoying the drive.
We made camp at the Peaks of Otters CG (mm 86) by 1600 hours, just before some rain, wind, thunder and lightening arrived.
The storm lasted about 45 minutes after which things cooled off just a bit allowing for a nice walk around the campground.
The Blue Ridge Parkway continues where the Skyline Drive stops and, after stopping at a visitors center, we continued on our journey on the Blue Ridge.
The vistas are equally spectacular when compared to the Skyline Drive but today's unseasonably warm temperature (high 80's) seems to have caused a layer of ozone to hang around the mountains. The speed limit on the Blue Ridge is 45 mph as compared to 35 on the Skyline Drive. I recall days long ago when the slow speed limits made me antsy. Most times, I would seek out an Interstate or two to speed up the trip. Not this time. The speed limit is very comfortable and we're enjoying the drive.
We made camp at the Peaks of Otters CG (mm 86) by 1600 hours, just before some rain, wind, thunder and lightening arrived.
The storm lasted about 45 minutes after which things cooled off just a bit allowing for a nice walk around the campground.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Entering the Blue Ridge
Wednesday 09/22/10 004 We departed Matthew's Arm CG at 1000 hours. We
breezed through a few overlook areas (there are 75 of them on the Skyline Drive) and reached the southern terminus at 1200 hours.
The Blue Ridge Parkway continues where the Skyline Drive stops and, after stopping at a visitors center, we continued on our journey on the Blue Ridge.
The vistas are equally spectacular when compared to the Skyline De., but today's unseasonably warm temperature (high 80's) seems to have caused a layer of ozone to Hang around the mountains. The speed limit on the Blue Ridge is 45 mph as compared to 35 on the Skyline Drive. I recall days long ago when the slow speed limits made me antsy. Most times, I would seek out an Interstate or two to speed up the trip. Not this time. The speed limit is very comfortable and we're enjoying the drive.
We made camp at the Peaks of Otters CG (mm86) by 1600 hours, just before some rain, wind, thunder and lightening arrived.
The storm lasted about 45 minutes after which things cooled off just a bit allowing for a nice walk around the campground.
breezed through a few overlook areas (there are 75 of them on the Skyline Drive) and reached the southern terminus at 1200 hours.
The Blue Ridge Parkway continues where the Skyline Drive stops and, after stopping at a visitors center, we continued on our journey on the Blue Ridge.
The vistas are equally spectacular when compared to the Skyline De., but today's unseasonably warm temperature (high 80's) seems to have caused a layer of ozone to Hang around the mountains. The speed limit on the Blue Ridge is 45 mph as compared to 35 on the Skyline Drive. I recall days long ago when the slow speed limits made me antsy. Most times, I would seek out an Interstate or two to speed up the trip. Not this time. The speed limit is very comfortable and we're enjoying the drive.
We made camp at the Peaks of Otters CG (mm86) by 1600 hours, just before some rain, wind, thunder and lightening arrived.
The storm lasted about 45 minutes after which things cooled off just a bit allowing for a nice walk around the campground.
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