From the Outer Banks of
North Carolina we cut west, crossing lots of flat marshy areas. There are signs
up for bears, and we ask the locals if they see any, when we stop to buy
blueberries. They assure us that they do see them regularly. Next stop is the
town of Raleigh (yes Tim & Kylie we were near your home and you weren’t
there!!!) to visit the State Capitol. Don’t know how many of these we have
visited, but they are always great. Park right outside & pop in to nosy
around. Of course by the time we leave it is rush hour & the urban sprawl
goes on for miles as there are quite a few Universities here. It starts to
rain, but we have a spot in the forest in mind for tonight, so we head there.
Fortunately it proves Ok – flat, quiet & out of the way.
As we continue across
country, following little back roads, John suddenly asks if Charlotte is
nearby. I say “Yes it is; only we need to change direction & head south”.
So that is what we do. Guess what’s at Charlotte? Yes, another huge NASCAR
track – and very impressive it is too. We do the racetrack tour – I have never
driven along a 22deg camber before. Ok when driving at 130 kph but rather
interesting when the driver stops!
Anyway more miles to do.
We have some friends to pop in and visit in Waynesville before we head in to
the forest again for the night. It is a parking spot beside the river. We are
just having a cup of tea at 10pm when a police car rolls in. “What are you
doing” (duh…staying overnight!”) We explain very politely. He says we can’t
stay as it is for fisherman to access the river. We don’t point out the obvious
that there are no fishermen here & the park is pretty big. Perhaps we
should say we are fishing! Anyway when we say we will leave first thing in the
morning, he says Oh that’s Ok, I’ll just say you are parking!
Our forestry spot is right
on the edge of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is our destination. But first we
head south to visit The Great Smoky Mountains National Park – we do know it
will be very busy at this time of year, but we are too close to miss it. Head along
the Parkway stopping to do a few walks & chat to more people who stop to
look at GR2. She is definitely a tourist attraction here. Even been on TV
apparently! Then on to do the scenic drive through Smoky. Lots of cars &
lots of people at the popular spots. Well we thought there was a lot, but when
we reach touristy Gatlinburg the place is swarming. We can’t wait to leave.
Sadly the rest of Smoky will have to be another visit. We have crossed back in
to Tennessee, but before long we are back in Nth Carolina heading back to the
Blue Ridge Parkway. Again at 3pm we run in to torrential rain – we did yesterday
as well. Evenings are long here so we do a few more miles before heading off
the Parkway to find a great dispersed camp spot beside a river. Can even have a
fire – awesome.
Carry on the Parkway
stopping to walk to some unexciting waterfalls. We are starting to get a bit
weary of this scenic drive. It is so sterile with a narrow, winding strip of
tarseal, mowed grass edges, overhanging trees and views of misty mountains. And
it goes on for miles & miles!! Time for a conference. Decide to turn off and
pop down to visit Grandfather Mountain someone recommended. At $20ea to be able
to walk a swing bridge, with countless others, we give it a miss. Head towards
Bluff City & Bristol in Virginia. John says we won’t bother looking at the
racetrack here, but I say – “there it is, we should go in!” Yet another massive track. No tours, but a guy
who stops to say Hi opens it up so we can go inside – Thank you! Then we stay
& use their Wifi – bonus. Another night in the forest.
We are now heading into
West Virginia (yes that means another no. plate to add to our burgeoning
collection). Have never heard anything
about this state, but it is full of mountains, forests, mighty gorges &
rivers. First stop is the Welcome Centre for a map & info. There has been
massive flooding 10 days ago, so they suggest avoiding the centre of the state.
So we plan a route through the back roads to meander through Bluestone National
State Park & New River Gorge National Park. Drive some lovely little back
roads, winding our way through to Blue River, then on to New River. Very little
traffic, lots of little towns showing signs of neglect & rivers full of
muddy water. The riverside town of Hinton is gorgeous. Lots of old homes, but
many decaying. As we near the gorge we see signs of old mining. This area was
in full coal production mode years ago.
Finally we find the
tourists at the massive iron bridge at Canyon Rim. Check out the many
viewpoints before heading on to the main roads and on to Charleston – the state
capitol. Again we stop and wander through the Capitol Building leaving again
during rush hour. Finally out of West Virginia and in to Kentucky & the
Daniel Boone National Forest. John has found some free camping in the forest.
There are some great spots beside a river, most are full because it is Friday
night, so we squeeze in to the last one.
We pick the scenic route
through Daniel Boone Forest planning to stop and see the Natural Bridge State
Resort Park. What is this Resort part!! Must be because there is a chairlift up
to the arch. I opt for the easy ride, saying it will save us time. Anyway it is
kind of fun. Lots of walks at the top to view the arch, walk over the arch and
walk under the arch.
Finally back to main roads
and on to the horse capital of USA – Lexington in Kentucky. Many gorgeous horse
studs - all glistening green & manicured. After all this is the home of The
Kentucky Derby. Then again another
Capitol Building, in the red brick town of Frankfurt. No interior explore today
as it is Saturday afternoon.
Decide it is time we visit
the highly recommended Cracker Barrel for a late lunch/early dinner. Yum – good
southern cooking. Finally on to Louisville – a rather large city – only stop
here is cheap diesel found on Gasbuddy. We are continually amazed at how diesel
prices can vary, even within the same tow. Anything from $1.99 to $2.59 per
gallon. Across the huge bridge to Indiana and back on to back roads. There is
supposed to be a free camp spot here, but we can’t find it so end up on an old
slip road beside the river.
As is often the case we
find more camp spots the next morning, but the bonus is finding the tiny town
of Storey with its cute & very eclectic pub & having time to stop &
explore. This wouldn’t have been the case if we had passed it last night while
hunting for a campspot. Continue through Hoosier National Forest to return to
the main road. We are heading to Bloomington & on to Indianapolis to see
the famous racetrack - affectionately known as “The Brick Yard”. At this track
we can drive right in to the centre. We
can’t do a track tour today, as wanna be racers are paying to go out on the
track with drivers. But John has a good look at the Hall of Fame (I opt out
again)
Back on the motorway we
cross in to Michigan. Traffic a bit crazy as Chicago isn’t all that far away. Finally
we head to a casino for the night. Tomorrow we will continue exploring Michigan.
Catch y’all soon now!
Michigan surprises us….