Waynesville NC last 2 weeks in July

We start out for a ride to see the progress on opening Mingo Falls.  First we stopped at Mingus Mill

Headed to Mingo Falls and glad to see the Elk have learned to cross at the crosswalks.

Unfortunately the Falls was still closed.nnhopefullyntheynwillnreopen before or friends head back to Tucson.

We do another ride to the Juney Whank Falls in the Deep Creek section of Great Smokey Mountain National Park 

We go through Bryson City

Along the Tukasegee river

Its a short but uphill hike 

Worth the hike

We stop for lunch

Then continue on to the road to nowhere also in the Deep Creek section

When the area Towns were flooded by the Fontana Dam, submerging their main road, they promised that a new road  would be provided to give them access to the old family cemeteries where generations of ancestors remained behind. They encountered "environmental issues" that would have made finishing the Road "too costly".

Me thinks they had already spent a whole bunch, it's a beautiful 6 mile ride.

And a really nice tunnel

I even find mushrooms on Tunnel hikes!

Carol and I venture to the top

Hello down there!

Back home and enjoy a blue grass jam session

Cannot believe another month has gone by!

Waynesville NC 1st 2 weeks in July

We get back to a nice group ride on the Blue ridge parkway to the highest point

But the prettiest view is at the next overlook

Past Lake Logan, the rock peninsula that was created by the Hurricane remains.

The home stretch 

Then a hike on the Shining Creek Trail that Gary's been wanting to do.

Think I'd rather see a bear warning

Alpin was able to come with us!

An uphill hike

We passed on this side trail since we all decided we weren't Old Butts.

The Rhododendron are just coming out here.

Lots of mushrooms this year

Then back to the Blue Ridge highest point with Ken for a photo op

The week ended with a good rainstorm 

 

Back to Waynesville, NC

Back to North Carolina.  We get an early start.

Then get into some rain 

Passed by this roadside artwork

Back on I 40 between TN and NC

My Tomatoes and Peppers survived

Back to riding the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is one of the best views on the Blue Ridge Parkway 

The next rest area is the highest point 

And my lifesaver cactus bloomed