On a hot, muggy day last summer in the plains of North Carolina, me and my biker buddies thought it was road trip time to plan for a weekend. Many do not want to spend too much time, always there but In any case, a change of scenery and wanted to escape the stifling summer heat, we decided to examine the Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains, about an hour and half drive from homeMooresville, NC
That Friday we took from the work already two hours, packed our bags and saddle position on our pigs jumped up 77 to I 40, Objective Banner Elk, North Carolina. We turned off the interstate in the foothills of Morganton, and after a few cruises through the small Mayberry like town, soon found ourselves leaning into the corners, past Table Rock and numerous mountain vistas, melting heat of summer already. Occasionally, always behind a local, never caughtin a hurry to somewhere, we soon accelerated to a fast lane and on the road.
We have over 105 in Linville and we knew we were almost there. A cruise through the next 7 miles in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain, we arrived at the stone buildings of Tynecastle, turned left towards the valley past the town of Sugar Mountain and Banner Elk. We had made reservations in Banner Elk Inn Bed & Breakfast, so we turned right at the only traffic light and were soon Check
ThanCocktail hour, we stretched our legs with a refreshing walk into town and visited some local bistros, and then across the road and stone walls of the top, we had enjoyed an excellent steak dinner.
Saturday was one days to cross the area. After a hearty breakfast at the Inn, we saddle on Linville Falls and back to the top, we were with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Heading north toward Blowing Rock, is the Blue Ridge Parkway, chocked full of winding streets and beautifulMountain View, one of the best ways to tour the mountains of North Carolina.
Shortly after the collision with the Parkway, we came up with the Linn Cove Viaduct. A marvel of technology, the viaduct is an elevated bridge, which wraps around Grandfather Mountain about eight miles, and has some of the best views of the mountains on the Parkway. Was in line, the bridge is a good example of Mother Nature and the man made side by side. We stopped to take a hike on the trail that goes underneath the Linn CoveViaduct to get a better view of some truly impressive architecture.
Julian Price Park was the next stop on the Parkway, with a primitive campground and a beautiful lake that offers some excellent trout fishing. The park covers over 4000 acres and has 25 miles of hiking trails. An amphitheater, picnic grounds, and canoe rentals make Julian Price an excellent place to spend the day. We spent a couple of hours, then moved on towards Blowing Rock.
We exited the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Moses Cone Memorial Park, reviewed the Crafts Center, and moved to Blowing Rock for lunch. On the way back, we have the way to Boone, the home of Appalachian State University, and turned back by 105 to Banner Elk.
Back at the hostel, there was plenty of daylight left, so we took a little break, she hopped on our bikes and headed up the mountain to Valle Crucis. A really fun narrow, winding mountain road really mean with a switchback at the top, had the ride down the mountain, some greatView of the mountains as we passed farms, retreats, riding stables, and some quant small bed and breakfasts tucked it away mountain corners.
Valle Crucis is a very rural community, its hub is the Mast General Store, we could no longer see a glance. The Mast family has a large presence here, with two stores and the Mast Inn, one of the best of the many bed and breakfast inns in the area. Here you can come if you really want to get away from everything. Mountain inn with 2Quality stables for those who live to ride stuff like.
On the way back to Banner Elk on 105, we were so much fun on this narrow little streets, we decided to up to Seven Devils, a holiday resort with Hawksnest Ski Resort and Golf Coarse at the top of the mountain top.
After a day of riding, back in Banner Elk, we went to happy hour in the Bayou Smokehouse and Grill and stayed all night, scarfing up brewskis, Texas Style Bar-B-Que, andsome great Louisiana Cajun cuisine.
Sunday was the day to win the Big Daddy of them all, Grandfather Mountain. Based on the road all day Saturday, today, we would do some serious hiking around.
With the highest peak in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Grandfather Mountain sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and is host to the annual meeting of the Scottish clans and the Highland Games. We arrived McRae Meadows and paid the $ 14 per person to enter the privately owned mountain. Webriefly parked in the Art Museum and took a quick tour of the habitat of wild animals, the animals from the region on the display in their natural habitat provides.
As we drove up to the mile high swinging bridge, we could see the clouds racing through the gaps between the peaks. It was a cool, mist covered type of day as so often in the mountains of North Carolina, and the visibility was patchy at best. But we were here for a walk and walking is what we've done.
We began the hikeCalloway towards apex, and in the middle of the summer we were in good company. The well marked path led us through some simple to difficult terrain using ropes and ladders made of wood, to help us in the cliffs, climb, and several open vistas, where we could see Mt. Mitchell on the horizon, and the condos at Sugar Mountain Sugar Top, as we looked at the clouds below us.
We did not make it to the very top of Calloway Peak, the higher you come the more difficult it becomes, but we have submittedalways a good workout, and the walk down was just as hard as up. We came back in the Swinging Bridge parking lot, caught its breath, then went back to our bikes for the ride home. It was good, the vibrations of the road under us again, and by the time we left the foothills of Morganton, the cool breeze mountains have always been a fond memory.
Whether by motorcycle, car or truck, a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina is a good way to beat theHeat. Area Banner Elk and Grandfather Mountain is dotted with apartments of people from all over the southeast of the country a large part of escaping from the hot, humid summers of Florida.
Outdoor activities abound year-round skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, tennis, golf, camping, or just cruising the streets in spring, summer and autumn.
Whatever your pleasure, Banner Elk and GrandfatherMountain in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a great destination for the great American road trip.