Another ride
Onto the Blue Ridge Parkway
A stop at the Cradle of Forestry Overlook
To our destination - Mt. Mitchell
But first a stop for lunch
Then a short but uphill climb up to the observation tower
At 6,684 feet it's the highest peak East of the Mississippi.
We pick up the guys who stopped 1/2 way up.
Then head home
We had a great fish fry at the local VFW
Another perfect day for another ride
1st stop Fontana Dam
Then our final destination, the popular Tail of the Dragon ride.
This ride has 318 curves in 11 miles and passes into Tennessee
It is bordered by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cherokee National Forest. There are intersecting roads or driveways to slow down your travel.
However repaving projects can slow you down
We loved the Dragon!
And introduced Elizabeth to Bushy the dog.
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And we helped her knock Mt. Mitchell of her list of State Highest Peaks
Elisha Mitchell, Scientist and professor, died in attempt to prove this mountain highest in eastern U.S. In November 1835, Mitchell announced that a peak in the Black Mountains was the highest in the eastern United States, which would exceed that of Mt. Washington in NH. He estimated its height at 6,672 feet, only twelve feet short of the present official height of 6,684 feet.
In the 1850s Thomas L. Clingman, a former student of Mitchell's, called into question the accuracy of the earlier observations and measurements. He believed a nearby peak, now known as Clingmans Dome, was higher.
In an attempt to prove his measurements correct, he embarked on a hike up Mount Mitchell. However, his hike proved fatal “when he slipped and fell from cliff near a 40-foot waterfall, hitting his head and drowning”. He is buried next to the observation tower.
A lot of fun! And Summer isn't even here yet!
