North Carolina

7/21/26 - We had a short, 3-hour drive to our campground near Asheville, North Carolina.

Our campground (Campfire Lodgings) was on top of a tall hill and had this awesome view! Our spot had a lot of tall trees and brush so we didn't have this view. But I was happy to be on high ground knowing that heavy rains from Hurricane Helene had destroyed the lowland areas in Asheville in 2024.

We arrived early enough that we were able to complete a 4-mile run along a pretty trail in town.

7/22/26 - We drove 60 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which stretches 470 miles from Shenandoah National Park (in Virginia) to Great Smoky Mountains National Park (in North Carolina). Construction began in 1935 and the section we were on ran along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing amazing views frequently both left and right. "Chatty" (ChatGPT) and "Guide Guy" (GuideAlong app) helped us select places to stop.

We took a fairly easy hike to reach Frying Pan Mountain Tower, which provided 360-degree views

We saw several butterflies along the way

Near Looking Glass Rock Overlook (a unique volcanic formation), there was a short hike to "Skinny Dip Falls". No fear, I only took off my socks and shoes!

We also did a "short but steep" walk to the "Devil's Courthouse", which provided another 360-degree view. The clouds started to roll in shortly after this, to the point that they were sweeping past us when we took our picture at the highest point on the parkway (6053ft).

7/23/26 - It stormed during the night and the forecast showed rain all day, canceling our plans to run. We relaxed in the RV and clamshell.

7/24/26 - We toured the Biltmore Estate:

• America's largest privately owned home.

• Built between 1889 and 1895 by George Washington Vanderbilt II. (We subsequently learned that he never earned his own money...just spent Grandpa and Dad's fortune!! He was single when he built it).

• The mansion has 250-rooms (including 33 guest rooms), and the estate has 8,000 acres of formal gardens, a conservatory, walking and biking trails, a winery, shops, restaurants, and luxury accommodations.

• It is still owned and operated by Vanderbilt descendants.

The most unique areas of the mansion

We spent about an hour walking around the mansion with an audio-guide. We went back in the evening for dinner at one of the Biltmore's restaurants (none of them in the main house).

We stopped at the farm where these little piggies had a taste of MY little piggies!

The food and service at the Biltmore Dining Room was excellent

7/25/26 - We were able to return to the Biltmore estate the subsequent day so we ran 9 miles on their 20-miles of wooded and river-side trails.

That evening, we were able to see a gorgeous sunset from our RV park. The French Broad River is on the left and the surrounding mountains, interspersed with clouds, looked like a painting.

7/26/26 - We drove about an hour north (into Tennessee) to visit with our Arizona neighbors who are renting there for a month.

With Nanci and Wayne Fornwalt

We played golf on the lush, rolling hills of the course they joined for the month

7/28/26 - I walked around the shops in Asheville. Pat was happy to skip this excursion!! They had a lot of cute shops...I assume the tourists keep them thriving.

The town had an old Woolworth's (which was open here 1938 to 1989). In 2002, the building was renovated and reopened as an art gallery. I had lunch at the original soda fountain /lunch counter, which had also been restored.

I also went to another permanent farmer's market and bought some produce before getting groceries in town.

I picked Pat up and we went back into town for dinner...rushing from our hilltop RV as a thunderstorm hit and a tornado warning came in.

Besides BBQ, Western North Carolina is known for mountain trout. We LOVED our meal in the many-times-restored 1895 home. The last time was after Hurricane Helene flooded it to the ceiling of the first floor, requiring 300 days of reconstruction.

Luckily nothing at the campground was damaged by that day's storm when we got back.

We filled our other days with relaxation, running at Beaver Lake, and a few chores.

Pat is puzzled how the laundry magically disappears...like this guy?... https://youtu.be/-_kXIGvB1uU

On 7/30, we head into Virginia for almost 2 weeks (lots to see there!).