A delayed start to posting our blog for this trip, for lack of a wifi connection. Our general plan for the summer is to attend both our college 50th reunions which unfortunately are the same weekend of June 13-15, then wander north and east into the Canadian Maritimes as far as maybe Newfoundland and even Labrador. We'll be in Richmond VA in Sept for the cycling world championships (as spectators-get real) and the Southern Tandem Rally before visiting D's brother S and then home in October. We are traveling turtle-style: our home on our back, as we tow our small travel trailer.
Tuesday 6-2: Said goodbye to son P and his wife S, who were visiting, and hit the road about 9. Within a couple of miles the dashboard was flashing a warning about the anti-lock brake system and the traction assist function. So we headed to the Chev dealer. They wouldn't be able to look at it for two days but said neither was mission-critical. When I restarted the engine, the warning messages were gone, and that was the end of that. We headed up I-75, passing through Tampa with little traffic. Straight shot to Macon, GA. Stopped at a public campground on Lake Tobesofkee just outside town. 350 mi. day. Already cooler than the full-blast summer weather at home. 70's during the night.
Wed. 6-3: After sleeping very well for our first night on the road, we were up at 7, put canoe in water for a 1 hr. paddle around the lake. Then headed up Rte 129 and 441 to Great Smokey Mtns. Natl Park. The Smokemont campground (near Cherokee NC, on site of a CCC work camp while they were building out the park in the 30's). Campground almost empty; maybe because no elec or on-site water, which keeps the wimps out. A strong rain shower as we approached campground but no rain once we were there. 300 mi.
Thur. 6-4: 51 degrees in the morning- what a contrast from home. Visited a working 19th century grist mill the Natl Park maintains. The ranger/miller was a TB Lightning fan, and we learned the Lightning lost the first game of the Stanley Cup finals after leading through two periods. Then drove across the mtns (5000' pass) 2 hrs. to Cades Cove. We thought it was to be a primeval cove forest, but were disappointed to find instead it was a valley pasture of 19th century farms. Somewhat interesting, though. we peeled off the circuit road through Cades Cove onto a gravel jeep trail up through what was indeed an old growth hardwood forest for several miles, then worked our way back to camp on roads outside the park. 145 mi. on the day.
Fri. 6-5: not quite so cool in the morning. Took a 4 mi. out-and-back hike alongside a beautiful and fast-flowing creek ending at a pretty cascade. S's hiking boots delaminated, but fortunately it was just before we started so she was able to change to sneakers instead of hiking with the sole flapping. After the hike we started up the Blue Ridge Parkway at its southern terminus in the park. An engineering marvel built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. No hairpins or curves we couldn't handle at 35 mph. It climbed from 2000' to 5000'. We got off the Parkway at Asheville to grocery shop, and to visit the REI store for S to buy new hiking boots. Had intended to go further but it was getting late so we ckd into an RV park just outside town. The harried office clerk moved us to three different campsites before we settled down for the night. Only 95 mi. today. On the Parkway the weather was fine, with good visibility for the scenery and overlooks.
Sat. 6-6: Another good weather day. We got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove a few miles, then parked and got our tandem bike out. Our route, heading north, climbed about 1300' in six miles, then was up and down. We didn't have lights on the bike so rather than negotiate a tunnel at mi. 10 we headed back, enjoying a fast but easy downhill. Back in the car, we retraced our bike route and continued north. We took the 4 mi spur road up to Mt. Mitchell, highest mtn in the East at 6600', stopping for lunch at a restaurant near the top. Great view at the top- took a panoramic video. Continued north on Parkway, stopping near the NC/VA border at Doughton Park campground. Few fellow campers, but met a local man named Wayne Pruitt who taught me some new licks on my dulcimer. 175 mi. today, not counting bike miles.
Sun. 6-7: Continued up Blue Ridge Parkway through dense morning fog into Virginia. The Parkway is scenic when not foggy, and fun driving, but it feels like you can drive all day and not get far. We left the Parkway and took I-81 up the Shenandoah Valley. Made good time, stopping at a full-service RV park in Carlisle, PA after passing through the thin pieces of West Virginia and Maryland. Filled up with propane, did laundry, and enjoyed the luxury of electricity and city water. 2 more days to our campsite which will be base for next weekend's reunions. Didn't work out to get to Mass today, but next Sun. is a big occasion for us and we won't miss then. 400 mi today.
Sorry about no pictures yet; wanted to get these first few days documented. Promise to incl. pics in future.
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