Driving the Blue Ridge

I thank God for the internet and weather updates! We planned to leave on our ride last Sunday, but it was raining and looked like it was "set in" where we were heading until Wed. So Tuesday morning (June 28th) we started out to get on the Blue Ridge at Fancy Gap, Virginia. We ate at Breaks Interstate Park before getting on. At first site I loved it. Very few signs, no overhead wires, poles, commericals. Just beauty. All around us. We drove it to Boone, N.C. and stayed the night. On Wednesday, the day could not have been more perfect, weatherwise, and otherwise. Just a great day to drive the ridge. There are tons of "pulloffs", lots of "vista views", enough hiking to sites for the hikers and benches along the way for those of us that need a rest. We loved the waterfalls at Linville and the best part of the trip for me.....the Rhododendrons were in bloom everywhere! These are the native ones, not planted ones that bloomed a month ago. Just glorious! Color all along the side of the mountains, roads, in and around everywhere. Thursday was just as beautiful, so our drive had perfect weather, perfect car to drive it in, and no traffic. Really ideal conditions for such a ride. I was thinking ahead (for once) and brought us some great fruit, those great crackers from Sams (multigrain, nutty ones), Laughing Cow Creamy Swiss that went SO GREAT on them, homemade chicken salad & bread, and yummy iced tea. For two days this was our "pull off" picnic and we were SO glad to have it. Ate too much at night! Great little four day get away!