Following the Appalachian Mountains

Last Sunday we passed through part of northern Georgia into North Carolina.  The section of the drive following the Nantahala River was very pretty.  We made a stop along the of the river and watched the rafters and kayakers come in.  We passed through an tiny "town" called Wesser and I think that's where we crossed over back in high school when we were hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Nantahala River.......chillly

We camped that night in the Smokey Mountain National Park.  We got on the last spots and the girls made some friends.  A band of six girls scootering and giggling all over the place.

Smokey Mountain campground

Campground

Went into the park.  Drove up to Cliffman's Dome.  Made lunch and enjoyed a beautiful view.   Did a little bit of the Applachian Trail for fun and talked about doing it one day as a family.  Up near the top of the pass and state line we saw black bear cubs down the side of the cliff.  I couldn't see mama, but we were all pretty far away.

Cliffmans Dome Overlook

Appalachian Trail

Headed to Asheville.  Drove part of the way on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Stayed at a campground inside the city, but next night headed out to the Powhatan Lake National Forest site.  No electric for us, but very pretty place.  We enjoyed walking around the city and spent a day touring around downtown mostly.

Spent some time looking at neighborhoods and houses before leaving town and heading to Boone.

Boone was a nice place.  Cute downtown area and we enjoyed our campsite with a great stream/river behind us.  The sites were close, but lucky for us we were the only people in that area of the campground.

Campground oustide of Boone

We spent some time just relaxing by the river and did some hiking.  The girls and I headed to Grandfather Mountain one afternoon, but didn't get to hike it because of some confusion. We continued our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway north from Grandfather Mountain stopping to hike some spots.

After a few days in Boone, we headed on to Hungry Mother State Park in Virginia.  Short and pretty drive.  Great state park.  We didn't realize how southern parts of Virginia are.  Some of the thickest southern drawls we've heard.  Nice park on a big lake.  Boats to rent and a creek running through the Creekside campground.

Creekside Campground at Hungry Mother State Park

Fun Nature Center at the park

From there we are on towards Columbus, OH so Diego can meet with a co-worker.  On our way stayed over a night north of Charleston, WV.  Nothing special, but a safe, nice place to spend the night.

Rippling Waters Campground

Rippling Water Campground

Just crossed over the Ohio River and should reach Alum Creek State Park, north of the city, in a few hours.

Welcome to Ohio