Wed 2nd Nov
After leaving Hinton we visited the New River Gorge. Met a very pleasant and helpful Ranger in the Visitor Center. Then went to the Grandview recreation area and overlook. Magnificent views into the Gorge. Walked a trail through some caves in the side of the Gorge. The weather, views and colours were just about perfect.
Continued our drive through the byways of West Virginia, all "up and down and round and round" driving through Monongahela National Forest, eventually overnighting in Elkins.
Thurs 3rd Nov
Leisurely drive along WVa state road 55, through more beautiful colours and scenery. Eventually arriving back in Reston at the end of a really memorable road-trip.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Update from Hinton, West Virginia
Tues 1st Nov
After an excellent Halloween in The Library last night, we continued touring today. All driving is along the back roads on VA and WVA. The scenery is great and the autumn colours are at their best.
Stopped in Princeton WVA overnight. More touring tomorrow - which will be our last full day on the road.
After an excellent Halloween in The Library last night, we continued touring today. All driving is along the back roads on VA and WVA. The scenery is great and the autumn colours are at their best.
Stopped in Princeton WVA overnight. More touring tomorrow - which will be our last full day on the road.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Update from Boone, North Carolina
Monday 31st October
After breakfast motored a short distance to the North Carolina Arboretum - www.ncarboretum.org - good time of year for tree colours. Spent all morning here looking at the various gardens and especially the new bonsai exhibits, I'll have to try that some day. Took a hike through the woods to their greenhouses, very pleasant in the autumn sunshine, beautiful sunny day with blue skies, temperature probably about 70 deg F. Then motored again along scenic routes in South West NC mountains, stopping for lunch at Burnsville. Carried on along winding roads to Boone, NC, where we are currently in a motel for the night, and just about to go out to a sports bar called 'The Library'.
After breakfast motored a short distance to the North Carolina Arboretum - www.ncarboretum.org - good time of year for tree colours. Spent all morning here looking at the various gardens and especially the new bonsai exhibits, I'll have to try that some day. Took a hike through the woods to their greenhouses, very pleasant in the autumn sunshine, beautiful sunny day with blue skies, temperature probably about 70 deg F. Then motored again along scenic routes in South West NC mountains, stopping for lunch at Burnsville. Carried on along winding roads to Boone, NC, where we are currently in a motel for the night, and just about to go out to a sports bar called 'The Library'.
Update from Asheville, N. Carolina
Fri 28th Oct
Before leaving Nashville we visited the Opryland resort - just to look. What an amazing place!! www.gaylordopryland.com When we were there we got the distinct impression that the Air Force were trying to spend the defence budget on their own - some sort of convention or something like that.
Headed off east on the scenic route mainly US70 until we eventually ended up at Sevierville for the night.
Sat 29th Oct
This was the last open day at Dollywood before they closed down to put up the holiday decorations. So we had to go didn't we?? We really enjoyed a full day there, riding on the roller coasters, a trip on a steam train, and listened to a Bluegrass concert Yee-Hah.
It was a lovely sunny day but quite cool mid 50's I think.
Stayed overnight in Pigeon Forge.
Sun 30th Oct
Spent most of today visiting the Smoky Mountains NP. Beautiful day and great scenery, but too many cars and people for the narrow roads. In that sense it is a bit like the Lake District in the UK. We took the scenic tour out and around Cade's Cove.
Then headed over the Smoky's, through Cherokee and ended up just outside Asheville for the night.
Before leaving Nashville we visited the Opryland resort - just to look. What an amazing place!! www.gaylordopryland.com When we were there we got the distinct impression that the Air Force were trying to spend the defence budget on their own - some sort of convention or something like that.
Headed off east on the scenic route mainly US70 until we eventually ended up at Sevierville for the night.
Sat 29th Oct
This was the last open day at Dollywood before they closed down to put up the holiday decorations. So we had to go didn't we?? We really enjoyed a full day there, riding on the roller coasters, a trip on a steam train, and listened to a Bluegrass concert Yee-Hah.
It was a lovely sunny day but quite cool mid 50's I think.
Stayed overnight in Pigeon Forge.
Sun 30th Oct
Spent most of today visiting the Smoky Mountains NP. Beautiful day and great scenery, but too many cars and people for the narrow roads. In that sense it is a bit like the Lake District in the UK. We took the scenic tour out and around Cade's Cove.
Then headed over the Smoky's, through Cherokee and ended up just outside Asheville for the night.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Update from Nashville, Tennessee
Wed 26th Oct
After overnighting in Jackson, Tennessee, continued east. Made a sidetrip to visit the Civil War battlefield at Shiloh. Very interesting, watched a video followed by a 9 mile self-guided drive around the battlefield.. Lunched in Savannah - Subway as usual, and then continued on to Chattanooga for the night.
Thurs 27th Oct
In the morning we visited the Tennessee Valley railroad/museum and took a short ride on their train www.tvrail.com
Met up with Dave for lunch - really good to see him again.
After lunch called in at Hertz to report a slow puncture on the car. Really friendly and helpful service - ended up with a new car same model etc., so went happily on our way.
Visited Chattanooga Choo Choo in the afternoon, which is a series of tourist attractions in and around the old Chattanooga rail station.
Then took the Inclined Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain - said to be the steepest in the world 72% www.LookoutMtnAttractions.com wonderful views over the city from the top.
Then drove up to Nashville, checked into a hotel in the city centre. went out in the vening to sample the music atmosphere. Amazing!! Seems like everyshop frount down Broadway is a bar with a live band.
Went to the Wildhorse saloon for drinks, food and music www.wildhorsesaloon.com
After overnighting in Jackson, Tennessee, continued east. Made a sidetrip to visit the Civil War battlefield at Shiloh. Very interesting, watched a video followed by a 9 mile self-guided drive around the battlefield.. Lunched in Savannah - Subway as usual, and then continued on to Chattanooga for the night.
Thurs 27th Oct
In the morning we visited the Tennessee Valley railroad/museum and took a short ride on their train www.tvrail.com
Met up with Dave for lunch - really good to see him again.
After lunch called in at Hertz to report a slow puncture on the car. Really friendly and helpful service - ended up with a new car same model etc., so went happily on our way.
Visited Chattanooga Choo Choo in the afternoon, which is a series of tourist attractions in and around the old Chattanooga rail station.
Then took the Inclined Railway to the top of Lookout Mountain - said to be the steepest in the world 72% www.LookoutMtnAttractions.com wonderful views over the city from the top.
Then drove up to Nashville, checked into a hotel in the city centre. went out in the vening to sample the music atmosphere. Amazing!! Seems like everyshop frount down Broadway is a bar with a live band.
Went to the Wildhorse saloon for drinks, food and music www.wildhorsesaloon.com
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