| highlands, nc |
| 10.17.03: Day 1 Fuquay-Varina to Brevard, NC (Miles 307.3) We left around 9:30 am and headed out 64 west to Mocksville, NC. We stopped in Mocksville for lunch and picked up Hwy 601 south to Hwy 801 south. I got us lost trying to take back roads to pick up 64 west. However, our detour was nice as we traveled along US 74 through Forest City, Spindale, and Ruth, NC. We finally got back onto 64 west in Ruth, NC. We passed through Chimney Rock and decided to camp overnight just east of Brevard, NC. We stayed at a private campground located around a lake (I will post the name of the campground when I confirm the name). Our site was nice and we had hot showers. We ate supper at Sagebrush and I took my left over grilled salmon for breakfast the next morning. Even though my sleeping bag is rated for 30 degrees it was a cooled night. It dipped into the high 30's and it was difficult to climb out of my sleeping bag to walk in the cold to the showers. I did enjoy heating my left over salmon over the morning campfire and our ride out was cold but very scenic. |
| 10.18.03: Day 2 Brevard, Highlands, Blue Ridge Parkway and Linville Falls, NC (Miles 267.5) The morning ride was beautiful, but cold!!!!!! My heated gloves and vest made the ride comfortable, but I decided to where my open face helmet so my nose was a little cold! Hwy 64 west was a relaxing ride, but the closer we got to Highlands the road narrowed and the curves become tight and fun!!!! The views were great! We arrived in Highlands around lunch, but decided to continue along Hwy 64/28 to Franklin. This stretch of the road was very scenic with lots of curves. We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls where I drove my bike under the falls. It was alot of fun. The temperature climbed to the low 60's and the sky was a brillant blue. We picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway west of Waynesville. As we continued along the parkway the temperature fall, but the views and the sun made the cool ride all worth while. We exited the parkway in Asheville around 4:00 pm so we could figure out where we were going to camp for the night. I decided to head out Hwy 70 east and pick up Hwy 226 north so we could get as close to Blowing Rock as possible in the least amount of time. Once we got to Linville many of the campgrounds were full. We stopped for gas and asked the attendant if she knew of any campgrounds and she connected us with a campground near Ingalls, NC called Buck Nall off of Hwy 19E. We arrived just before dark. The campground was nice, but our site was under a Hickory tree and I did not find the Hickory nuts very comfortable for sleeping. It was another cold night with temperatures in the high 30's low 40s. I wish I had my little rat dogs to keep me warm!!!!! |
| 10.19.03: Day 3 Linville Falls, Blowing Rock to Fuquay-Varina, NC We got an early start and made our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The morning sky was clear the sun was beaming brightly. The vistas along the parkway between Linville and Blowing rock are breath taking. At times I felt as though I was in heaven. We stopped often to take pictures. We arrived in Blowing Rock around 10:30 am and visited Kilwins. Kilwins is a fudge store where the fudge is out of this world. I never knew there were so many different kinds of fudge. We walked over to the Speckled Trout for brunch. I highly recommend the Speckled Trout. The food was great and did not cost a bundle of money. We left Blowing Rock around noon and headed back to the parkway. I exited at Hwy 421 to make my way home and my riding partner continued on the parkway. I arrived back in Fuquay-Varina around 4:00 pm. This trip was great and I hope to return to the NC mountains soon! |
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