Had a great 3 days. The little towns and scenery are beautiful up there. I know they aren't big mountains, but they are special nonetheless <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

We stayed in a great little cabin in Marshall (about an hour north of Asheville).








You have to drive about 1.5 miles up a dirt road to get to the cabin.



We drove around a lot to the small towns (Hot Springs, Mars Hill, Waynesville) in the area and totaled about 650 miles. My Monty had a good work out...especially the tranny and brakes.

At the top of Cold Mountain




We also stopped at Looking Glass falls and then my kids went down sliding rock <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I think the water was a bit cold!



On Sunday before heading home we went to Mt. Mitchell. I used my GPS and discovered a dirt road that took us up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's 6.5 miles long and takes you from about 2000ft to 4500ft through the forest and there are no barriers. It was a fun drive and my Mother loved it! We even met a bearded man in a pick-up coming to other way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> He was a nice fellow and just wanted to confirm that the gate at the other end was open.



Stuff on the back of my truck got a bit muddy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />



Here's a map of the dirt road (NC 2178 - Sontey Fork Rd)

Part of the Parkway is closed but the detour to Mt. Mitchell was beautiful. I know, I know it's not much higher than Colorado Springs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />



My kids admiring the wonderful view from the top <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />



Dave made it to the top OK <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

[img]http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8219/dscf1866.jpg[/img]

My kids laughed their heads off at some of the names of the local peaks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

[img]http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/3144/dsc06588.jpg[/img]


We'll be back there soon <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />