Blue Ridge Mountains Road Trip
11 November 2017
Vince, a kindly friend, shared his truck, took us out and about, helped us find all the sorts of things you need when living on a boat in a far away land. And finally let us use it for a road trip. Not just any sort of truck, but a truck partly converted to sleeping accommodation. So the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (not Virginia) beckoned. America is a BIG country obviously. Driving west, North Carolina State went on forever. Arable land, farming and lots of trees bisected by huge well maintained highways. The convention of driving on the wrong side of the road went well….most of the time. Sleeping arrangements in the truck took a while to become established but the importance of sleeping bags, lots of blankets and soft padded mattresses are not to be underestimated. Fall was on us however with muted oranges, blazing reds and all shades in between patch worked across the mountains. The Fraser Fir wasn't fairing so well with 80% of trees on the Blue Ridge Parkway dead or dying as a result of balsam woolly adelgid bug, their skeletal remains a stark reminder of the decimated forest. Camp grounds were full of Fall admirers which was not anticipated, by us at least. The Blue Ridge Motorbike Campground, however, provided a perfect stopping point with the nicest of hosts and fellow campers. Torrential rain swollen rivers broke banks, washing away bridges over the course of a very wet day. Undeterred the local breakfast of bacon, grits, eggs, toast and blueberry pancake took minds off the inclement weather and provided warming sustenance. The Apple Fest in Waynesville was busy, not with many apples though. Visitors enjoyed the craft and market stalls, musical entertainment and funnel cakes - dough drizzled through a funnel into a deep fat fryer and sprinkled with sugar once crispy….obviously a health food!