Foggy Mountain Pisgah Day

My son and I traveled the Southern portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway to climb to the highest point on the Parkway located at Richland Balsam, elevation 6053 feet above sea level.  It was rainy, cloudy and the coldest since I arrived in Asheville.  The high temperature was 69 degree F and the lowest was 53 degree F.  The only patch of sunlight that was encountered was near the top at Reinhart Gap.
We did use my car today but there was plenty of gasoline in the tank to traverse the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In addition to stopping at many of the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we visited Sliding Rock where children and adults slide down into the creek below and to the Looking Glass Falls.
My Asheville trip is coming to an end as I plan to travel North towards New Jersey to visit my two remaining children.  My plan is to stop into Lexington first, however.
Hope everyone enjoyed Asheville!
A special thanks goes out to my son and his fiancee for being such wonderful hosts, they truly made this trip one I will never forget.  Love you both guys!

The Traveller!

Looking Glass Falls

This photo of Looking Glass Falls was taken approximately nine (9) miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 276 in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard, North Carolina.  The 60 foot waterfalls gets its name from Looking Glass Rock, which resembles a wintertime mirror (or 'Looking Glass') of sunlight, as water freezes on its side and reflects the sun. Love those waterfalls!

Sliding Rock

This photo of Sliding Rock was taken approximately eight (8) miles off Blue Ridge Parkway on Route 276 in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard North Carolina.  As one can see on the left of photo their are two (2) bars that were constructed so as children and adults alike line up to ride down to the waters below. I for one witnessed a young lad doing just that today. This would be a great place for the grandchildren to come during their trip next July.  Are you listening guys!

Reinhart Gap View

This photo was taken near Reinhart Gap (5455 feet in elevation) near mile marker 429 on Blue Ridge Parkway, 40 miles South of Asheville North Carolina.  As one can see from the photo there is an abundant number of different colors in the Mountains.  My only wish was that the sun had showed itself a bit more.

Mills River Overlook View

This photos was taken from Mills River Overlook near mile marker 402 on Blue Ridge Parkway approximately 12 miles South of Asheville, North Carolina. The photo was taken at 4085 feet in elevation.  I just love the rolling mountainside.

Big Ridge Overlook View

This photo was taken at Big Ridge Overlook near mile marker 404 on Blue Ridge Parkway approximately 14 miles South of Asheville North Carolina.  The Overlook elevation is 3820 feet above sea level.  Love those oranges!

Biltmore Day (3X)

It was a very overcast day in Asheville with some rain and wind as well.  The temperatures were a bit cooler as well as the high only hit 70 degrees F and the low fell to 55 degrees F. The weather did not dampen our spirits though as we toured the Biltmore House and the Biltmore Estates. The trip was the first for my son and his fiancee, my third. Although it was my third trip through the Biltmore House, I still picked up new information about the place.  I just wonder how much this house and the furnishings are worth in today's dollars.  I would guess in the billions.
For the second day in a row gasoline was not required as my son drove his car.
The Biltmore House, the Gardens, Antler Hill Village, and the Inn on Biltmore Estates all made it a very enjoyable day.
Next up is the Blue Ridge Parkway toward Pisgah Mountain.  Let's hope the weather will cooperate.
Until then!

The Traveller

Inn on Biltmore Estate

This photo of the Inn on Biltmore Estate was taken at the Biltmore Estate located at 1 Lodge Street in Asheville North Carolina.  George Vanderbilt's initial plans in 1900 to create an Inn never materialized in his lifetime.  In 2001 however, the idea finally becomes a reality with the Inn on Biltmore Estate as pictured here.

Biltmore House West View

This photo was taken from the Loggia of the Biltmore House located at 1 Lodge Street in Asheville North Carolina.  This view, looking westward, was taken from the Biltmore House's Loggia.  If only it was sunny and with blue sky.

Horticulture Day

Another day free from rain but with very little sunshine as it was pretty much overcast all day. Temperatures ranged from a high of 73 degree F to a low of 65 degrees F.  I really have had what I call nice weather down here.
No gasoline purchased today as we pretty much stayed close to Asheville.
It was pretty much a naturalists day as my son, his fiancee and myself took to the nature trails at North Carolina Arboretum.  I think I am starting to get use to all the walking. I will need to do this more often when I return home from the trip.
We will see what is planned for Sunday, maybe Biltmore Estates, so until then.
Take care!

The Traveller

One Lane Bridge

This photo of a one lane bridge was taken as one exits the North Carolina Arboretum located off Blue Ridge Parkway near mile marker 394 on 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way in Asheville North Carolina.  Not too many of these types of bridges today.

The Ogre

This photo of a Bonsai Eastern Whitecedar was taken at the Bonsai Garden at the North Carolina Arboretum off the Blue Ridge Parkway near mile marker 394 on 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville North Carolina.  The term Bonsai (pronounced Bone-sigh) first appeared in China over one thousand years ago as an art of growing dwarfed shaped trees or shrubs in small shallow containers.  They typical took the form of animals, dragons and birds.  This particular bonsai caught my eye as it was labelled 'The Ogre'.  Comments please!

Tree

This photos was taken during the walk through Nature Garden Trail at North Carolina Arboretum off Blue Ridge Parkway near mile marker 394 on 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville, North Carolina.  I apologize for not knowing the make of tree but thought it would make a good photo for the blog anyways.  Maybe my readers would know the make of tree.

Quilt Garden

This photos of The Quilt Garden was taken at the North Carolina Arboretum off Blue Ridge Parkway near mile marker 394 on 100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way Asheville North Carolina. Located in the central garden of the Arboretum, the quilt garden pays homage to North Carolina's long history of quilting.  Every year, the arboretum chooses one overall pattern for this garden, and tessellate it by planting different flowers in the pattern at three times during the growing season.  One needs a wide angle lens to picture the entire quilt.

Swept Away Day

Another good day with the weather, although a bit more overcast than yesterday, still tolerable. Temperatures ranged from 73 degrees F to 62 degrees F, real good for climbing to Chimney Rock.  I for one took the easiest way to reach the Chimney by riding the 198 foot tunnel elevator.  The elevator is part of the blasted out portion of solid granite in the mountain.
Believe it or not, I purchased gasoline for $2.879/gallon in Greenville South Carolina.  Are you reading this New York?
It was another splendid day for site seeing, whether it be climbing to the Opera Box on Chimney Rock or walking the trail up to the Carl Sandburg Home.
I am sorry for getting these posts out a bit late, but as they always say better late than never.
Take Care!

The Traveller

Front Lake

This photo of Front Lake was taken at 1928 Little River Road Flat Rock North Carolina. The lake lies below the front pasture of Carl Sandburg Home.  Always like those water reflection shots.

Carl Sandburg Home

This photo of Carl Sandburg Home was taken at 1928 Little River Road Flat Rock North Carolina. Carl Sandburg was already famous when he moved his family to this location in 1945.  A Poet, minstrel, lecturer, biographer, and Pulitzer Prize winning author, he had spent most of his life championing social justice and the American people through his writings and his singing.  This place was called home for 22 years.  It appears to me those literary geniuses like Sandburg and Thoreau gravitate to the calm and the serene to for writing.

Fluor Field

This photo of Fluor Field was taken at 945 South Main Street Greenville South Carolina. The field is the home of the Greenville Drive an 'A' affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.  The dimensions of this Field is an exact duplicate of some other Major League Park, can you name it?  This photo makes it a dead give away.

Lake Lure

This photo of Lake Lure was taken from the Opera Box atop Chimney Rock in
Chimney Rock State Park located at 431 Main Street Chimney Rock North Carolina.  One is at approximately 2300 feet in elevation here.  From this distant the lake almost appears as a river.

Chimney Rock

This photo of Chimney Rock was taken in Chimney Rock State Park at 431 Main Street Chimney Rock North Carolina.  Chimney Rock, a 315 foot granite monolith, was purchased in 1902 by Dr Lucius B Morse.  Dr Morse and family owned and operated Chimney Rock Park from 1902 to 2007.  In 2006 the Morse family put the Park up for sale and it wasn't until 2007 that the Park would be fully owned by the Sate of North Carolina.  Scenes from a number of movies have been filmed in the Park.  One of the most memorable was the Last of the Mohicans which showcases Hickory Nuts Falls and the magnificent cliff faces of Chimney Rock.

A Grandfather(papa dave) Day

This was without a doubt the best day of the trip, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway from Linn Cove Viaduct to Craggy Gardens and back to Asheville was awe inspiring. The weather cooperated for most of the day as the rains didn't come until just a few miles North of Craggy Gardens. Temperatures ranged form a high of 77 degrees to a low of 57 degrees at top of Mount Mitchell. Gasoline purchased was at $3.229/gallon, a bit higher than the $2.999/gallon in Virginia.
I would have liked to post more of the photos that I took today, but would not want to bore my readers.  When one has the scenery, it is very easy to take good photos.
One of the sites I am headed for today is Chimney Rock State Park.
Hope you enjoyed photos!

The Traveller

Hewat Overlook

This photo of the Blue Ridge Mountains was taken at Hewat Overlook located near mile marker 340 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  The conditions were just right for this photo. This photo is going to be one of my favorite.

Linn Cove Viaduct

This photo of the Linn Cove Viaduct was taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  The viaduct was opened to traffic on September 11, 1987 exactly 52 years after construction of the Parkway began and represented the final link of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The Linn Cove Viaduct is 1243 feet long and 35 feet wide.  The 'S' curve roadbed rests upon seven (7) vertical piers that are spaced about 180 feet apart. Notice the vivid fall colors, one has to love it!

Mile High Swinging Bridge

This photo of the Mile High Swinging Bridge was taken at Top Spot of Grandfather Mountain in Grandfather Mountain State Park in North Carolina.  The Mile High Swinging Bridge gets it name as one would expect, the bridge is exactly one mile above sea level at the direct center of the bridge identified with a green marker on bridge walkway.  The bridge slopes from left to right end four (4) feet, as viewed from the photo.  Originally constructed of wood, the bridge had a lot more swing to it. The bridge is now constructed of galvanized aluminum and with spring supports on either side, the swagger has almost gone from the bridge.  Note that most of the trees at the Top Spot of Grandfather Mountain are evergreens.

Grandfather Mountain

This photo of Grandfather Mountain was taken at Beacon Heights Overlook near the 305 mile marker of the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.  Although historians cannot agree on just when and how the mountain was named, early settlers named it Grandfather Mountain because the mountain's face resembled an old, long bearded man looking skyward.  I guess one would need a different view than this to prove that.

Beacon Heights Overlook

This photo was taken at the Beacon Heights Overlook near mile marker 305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Linn Cove Visitor Center in North Carolina.  One is standing at an elevation of 4220 feet from sea level and looking eastward.  I am thinking I got a bit lucky today.

Downton Asheville

What a beautiful day to enjoy downtown Asheville, temperatures rose to 82 degrees F while low temperature was 67 degrees F.  There was plenty of sunshine to take in as well.  I spent all day within the city limits of Asheville enjoying sites such as Smith-McDowell House, The Basilica of Saint Lawrence and Antique Car Museum.  My favorite place however, was the Thomas Wolfe Memorial better known as Old Kentucky Home where the novelist Thomas Wolfe lived as a boy. There was a great deal of intrigue and controversary about him.
I did not have to purchase any gasoline today as I spent all of the day in Asheville as stated.
Today marks the trip to Grandfather Mountain to see what Mother Nature has in store for me.  I am hoping that there will be some beautiful pictures to post later today.

Until then!
The Traveller

1959 Edsel Corsair

This photo of a 1959 Edsel Corsair was taken at Estes-Winn Antique Car Museum on 111 Grovewood Road Asheville, North Carolina.  This car was built by the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan.  The 'Edsel' was introduced in 1958 season to fill the supposed gap between the Ford and Mercury lines.  As everyone knows Edsel was the the son of Henry Ford.  Despite a great deal of publicity and monies used to promote this car, only 35,000 Edsels found customers during the first six months of production.  I for one always found this car to be quite intriguing.

Thomas Wolfe Memorial

This photo of the Thomas Wolfe Memorial was taken at 52 North Market Street Asheville, North Carolina.  The Thomas Wolfe Memorial was the home of of the American author Thomas Wolfe who lived here during his boyhood from 1906 to 1916.  His mother, Julia, purchased the boarding house, originally named Old Kentucky Home, in 1906.  She and Thomas moved in permanently soon afterwards while the rest of the family stayed at the Woodfin Street residence.  Thomas Wolfe used this place as the backdrop of his first novel Look Homeward, Angel published in 1929.  In addition many of the characters in the book were local Asheville persons. This did not set very kindly with some of the residents in Asheville and as a result Thomas Wolfe would not return to Asheville until many years later.

The Basilica of Saint Lawrence

This photo of the Basilica of Saint Lawrence altar was taken at 97 Haywood Street in Asheville, North Carolina.  The Basilica was designed by Rafael Guastavino, an architect and builder, who emigrated to the United States from Barcelona in 1881. The present church underwent construction in 1905 and was not completed until 1909 after Rafael Guastavino death in 1908. Just beautiful is how I would describe it.

The Smith-McDowell House Museum

This photo of the Smith-McDowell House was taken at 283 Victoria Road Asheville, North Carolina on the A-B Tech Community College Campus.  This house, built in or around 1840 by one of North Carolina's most influential citizen James McConnell Smith, is Asheville's oldest surviving dwelling.  James McConnell Smith's daughter, Sarah, purchased this house upon her father's death.  Her husband William McDowell was a Captain in a militia group called the Buncombe Riflemen which fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

Traveling Days

Hello folks, it sure is good to be back blogging again.  Although this will not be one of the 60 day variety, I hope just as entertaining for you readers and me.  The trip started at 10:00 on Monday October 6th.  Since the trip down to my sons is 735 miles, I decided to break up the trip by stopping at Johns in Virginia at or around the 400 mile mark.  I want to add thanks to John and Marcia for their hospitality during my overnight stay there.
Temperatures, high and low, for trip to Johns were 80°F and 52°F respectively.  For the remainder of trip to Asheville on Tuesday, highs and lows were 75°F and 57°F respectively.  It did rain while at Johns and also while coming into Bristol, Tennessee late Tuesday afternoon.
Probably the biggest surprise was the cost of gasoline.  The cost $2.999/gallon, it has been awhile since I last purchased gasoline for under $3/gal.
The plan is to go downtown in Asheville today for some of the local sites.

Until then!
The Traveller

Horse Sense

This photo, taken in North Carolina, shows two (2) of the four (4) Belgium horses that John has on his spread.  These horses originally from Belgium are primarily used as draft horses.  They are able to pull tremendous amounts of weights highlighted at a Denver, Colorado Horse Show of which a team hauled over eight (8) tons of weight a distance of over seven (7) feet.  They can grow to up to 68 inches and weigh up to 2000 pounds.  I for one stood outside the fence to pet them.