On Saturday, the group visited the Biltmore Estate. We enjoyed the very well-done audio tour of the Biltmore House as well as the gardens (separate post).
The house is quite amazing and is said to be America’s Largest Home. The self-guided audio tour spans three floors and the basement of the luxurious family home of George and Edith Vanderbilt. We enjoyed the stories of the Vanderbilt family, their guests, and employees through displays of vintage clothing, accessories, art, furniture, and more.
Cherokee, NC (Milepost 469) to Asheville, NC (Milepost 393)
Wow. What a great drive. We left Grumpy Bear campground and headed to the south end of the Blue Ride Parkway. We caravanned with Al and Linda and stopped at many of the great overlooks. Pictures do not do the dive justice.
The speed limit was 45 and 35mph, and rarely did we go the speed limit. Take your time and enjoy the ride & View.
Our first stop was Waterrock Knob Overlook and Visitor center. We took the 1.18 mile trail to the top of the knob (500 foot rise in elevation).
Stopped at Looking Glass Rock and Mount Pisgah Resturand to have a drink and a snack
On Thursday, we visited the Cherokee Museum and Oconalftee Village. Very well-done museum and quite informative. At the village, the Cherokee demonstrated various skills and explained the culture of the native Americans.
Along with Al and Linda, we took an eBike ride to the “Road to Nowhere“. What a great bike ride. Very hilly and beautiful. The ride is about 11 miles long; Kelly was able to get his bike up to 32mph going down the steep hills.
One of the most unique areas in Bryson City is found on Lakeview Drive in an area locally known as “The Road to Nowhere,” part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park After the construction of Fontana Dam flooded other access roads, a replacement highway was promised in the 1960s, However, construction was halted due to environmental issues, and the Road to Nowhere was born.
Steeped in history, the Road to Nowhere is a scenic drive, hiking destination and monument to the past, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A six-mile winding road weaves through the National Forest, with multiple scenic stops along the way to pull off and take in the view of Fontana Lake. At the road’s end, a mile-long tunnel stretches under rock, which must be traversed on foot to reach hiking trails on the other side, including Noland Creek Trail, the Goldmine Loop, and Lakeshore Trails. Be sure to bring a flashlight on this adventure!
Pam’s VideoEcho of the Tunnel – Turn your sound on
We arrived 3 days early before the Taste of Blueridge Caravan to relax and see the local sites. We are staying at the Grumpy Bear Campground which sits on the Tuckaseegee River; unfortunately, our site is not along the river. This is a well-run campground with very nice bathrooms and laundry facilities. The spots are a bit cramped, but the river is great. Reserve early so you can get a spot along the river.
Sunday, we met Al and Linda from the caravan and went to Darnell Farm to buy fresh vegetables and other treats. What a great place to get good food and also to sit, relax and enjoy the river. The farm is literally right across the road from the campground.
The group then took the 2-mile bike ride into town. Bryson City is a very nice little town with lots of restaurants and a brewery. We enjoyed walking the town and having a drink at Bryson City Outdoors. NIce.
Monday, Pam booked a 90 minute session @ Lakeview at Fontana – Soaking Cabana. Wow, what a great setup. We enjoyed a very relaxing soak while having adult beverages. Very relaxing.
Tuesday, we rode our eBikes with Al and Linda to the “Road to Nowhere“. I have a blog post.
On Wednesday, the group went white water rafting starting out at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). It was a 3 hour experience (2 hours rafting) and we travelled about 8 miles down river. It was a Class 2 & 3 rapids. It was our guides first time taking a group down the river. We hit a few rocks and had had a blast. No one fell out and everyone had a great time. Pam wants to do it again but next time with class 4 rapids!
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