Pookie's corner: Blue Ridge Parkway

I have wanted to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway ever since I first saw the sign at the entrance to it when taking Beccy to college. So this fall Harry decided it was time to start doing some things on our bucket list, and this was the first one. We loved the trip. The first day out we traveled to near the north end of the parkway and started in Virginia. Since it was November, many of the stops along the parkway were closed and the trees didn't have many leaves, but there wasn't much traffic and we could see farther through the trees, so I think it was a good trade off. The first day was sunny and gorgeous as we traveled the ridge above rolling farmland with hills in the distance. We saw a couple of deer and not much else. We picnicked in the car since it was cold outside and stopped for the night at a place called Fancy Gap. It was near Andy Griffith's home town and we could see Mayberry influence everywhere. The next day was a totally different experience. The clouds had come down over the mountains, so we traveled through patches of dense fog, sometimes just crawling along. That was a good thing, because a few times deer would be in the road or crossing it just ahead of the car. It made for an exciting experience. We had lunch at a motorcycle bar at a tiny stop off the parkway that had great sandwiches. No motorcyclists, though because of the fog. That night we stayed in Asheville. We ate at a barbecue restaurant we could walk to from the hotel and didn't know until we arrived that they had live entertainment. (The name Fiddling Pig should have been a clue!) Actually, the bluegrass band was pretty good when they weren't losing the dog, wife or car. The next day was a mix of cloud and sunshine, depending on how high we were on the ridge. It was real mountain country. I did get a good picture that showed why they call it the Blue Ridge. We went through the Great Smokies National Park and spent the night in Knoxville before going home. I loved the trip, and I think Dad did too. We visited a couple of Appalachian arts and crafts places while on the trip, and finished with a trip to Berea, where Dad got me my Christmas present: a pendant made of Kentucky agate, which is red and black instead of the usual colors. I got to pick out the stone and the setting and had it made just for me! Thanks so much for the trip, Harry. It was wonderful.

We did get to see some beautiful waterfalls. Here is one that was a short hike off the road.