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="" />

That is a nice part of the country. We are building a
Blog Cabin over there.
http://www.diynetwork.com/

Go to the tab that says blog cabin


Later <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

In that second shot, I like how the Mountain Laurel frames the cabin.

Looks like a great time. BRP is a treasure on the East Coast for sure. Lots of great stuff to behold up there. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Dave sure is growing up. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

That's nice country. My kids wore the seat out of cut off jeans on Looking Glass Falls once upon a time.

They close sections of the BRP in "winter" due to ice/snow. there are several sections with super mountain laurel and native azalea blooms, but you might have been too early at that altitude.

You got that right. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


I grew up in NC and went to college in Boone, while working summers at the Pisgah Inn, near Asheville, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Since then I have lived in CO & WY for the last 15 years, but I still miss the Appalachians.

I've been fortunate enough to explore a large majority of the western US and the continental divide, but NC will always hold a special place in my heart. The comparison between the Rockies and the Appalachians is not only not fair, it's no comparison at all. Two very different regions, both with an endless amount of gifts to the traveler who would seek them out.

Great photos and a great stroll down memory lane. Thanks for both.


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

He's a good dog. He's supposed to be a mini, but he weighs 14lbs and is as lean as can be <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> If you blow a raspberry on his neck he falls over in ecstasy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> Never seen anything like it.

I spoke to a ranger who told me part of the BRP was closed because the retaining wall had collapsed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Taking to long way round up there is a bonus <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I used to grab my crosscountry skis and go up there all the time. I was probably the only person in SC that owned any! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Mind your garbage later; the raccoons and skunks don't mind helping themselves at o'-dark-thirty.

Nice pics man. I used to MTB all over that area...it is a beautiful place.

Drove a good portion of the BRP with my pops quite a few years back...it was pretty amazing! We took a trip along the east coast area checking out old Civil War sites. It was an awesome trip!

Thanks for sharing the photos...that cabin looks like a sweet place to stay. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

That is nice. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Javy