Journey Through North Carolina – Part 4 ~ By Tom and Audrey ~
Hello and welcome to part 4 of our journey through North Carolina.
There is such beauty waking to a sunrise over the Appalachian Mountains as you sip your coffee. Then it was off to find our entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway and enjoy the views through the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. When we first mapped out our journey the goal was put ourselves near one of the first entrances to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Much to our surprise or God’s hand we were at Steeles Tavern and one of the few initial entrances to the Parkway in Virginia.
The entrance ramp was a steady twisting labyrinth before giving way to a view that took our breath away. If only you could have seen our heads pivoting side to side as the ooh’s and ah’s continued involuntarily. There is reason they are called the Blue Ridge Mountains and it’s because when the light reflects off them they are the most beautiful shade of blue only God and nature could create. Those of you having seen them can perhaps help with their description? There was an ocean of mountains that seemingly extended to infinity.
The speed limit on the parkway ranged from 45 mph (72 kph) to 25 mph (16kph) and for good reason. Not just because the roadway is full of hairpin turns but there are many spots where you are literally on the edge of cliffs and the roads have no shoulders. We are pretty good at maneuvering our 6 feet 7-inch-wide Daisy on narrow roads but there were spots that had us a little nervous. Like on many roads there are always those drivers that feel the speed limits are too slow for them and as they passed we would hold our breaths wondering if they would make it. We were glad they did not go off the edge because there was no cell phone signal for us to call for help or places to pull over to lend a hand.
From here we settled in at Cool Breeze campground in Galax, Virginia . This was a great little place and community. The owner, Robert, and his mom were so friendly as they shared with us the events around the area. It was also exciting because remember it was our first time hooking up to a main water supply to use our indoor plumbing.
First water hook-up. http://www.usathroughoureyes.com
We’ll never forget the experience as we connected to the water supply and turned it on only to see water gushing out from behind a little panel on the side of the van. As we looked with amazement we knew something wasn’t right. We turned off the water main and upon examination realized the repair shop hadn’t closed the relief valve. We tried again and out from the faucet flowed hot and cold water. You would have laughed watching us standing there flushing the toilet knowing we wouldn’t be having to make any more late-night potty runs, lol.
Well this is it for today. We hope you come back and see how the trip unfolds as we share more of the USA Through Our Eyes. Until then be safe.
