October 2012- Great Smoky Mountain

10-9-12



Jerry, Lynda, and Randy at their home in NC

During the first part of our October Trip we stopped in Blowing Rock, NC to visit with our friends, Lynda and Jerry. What a sweet little home they have, nestled in a charming mountain neighborhood, just blocks from the historic downtown section of Blowing Rock. We were very impressed with the natural beauty of this place. I want to live here! And its always a pleasure to have folks who know the area take us on a tour of the local sights. Afterwards, we enjoyed some yummy barbecue and a pitcher of beer before heading home to camp.

Blowing Rock, NC

Larry, Linda, Julie, and Randy

We also had the pleasure of joining up with our buddies, Linda and Larry in Boone, NC. They met us half way from their home in Virginia, staying in a hotel about 15 minutes from our campground. What a great time we had bumming around the area together while taking in the scenery and antique shopping. I ate far too much country food at the Dan'l Boone Inn, but boy was it good!

Randy in front of Cumberland Caverns entrance

Peter Rowan

On October 13, we awoke to a choice, blue sky kind of day in anticipation of the afternoon concert.  This was no ordinary concert because the location was in a cave down in Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee.  From the cave entrance, we followed our guide down 350 feet until we came to the Volcano Room, home to the Bluegrass Underground venue.  Cave lit niches illuminated this amazing space dominated by a huge, red beaded chandelier suspended above the seating area.  The Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band did not disappoint us.  Perched on a rock up near the stage, I vibrated to the most perfect acoustics and spiritual, bluesy music.  Home to stalagmites and stalactites this place is now home to bluegrass too.  This was one of those rare times in one's life when seeking the unknown was priceless.

Volcano Room

We stayed for a few days at nearby Rock Island State Park and enjoyed the majestic waterfalls framed in fall foliage.  The countryside is quite lovely in this part of Tennessee and we certainly enjoyed exploring it.   







The foliage could have been more dramatic but we enjoyed it just as it was.

Randy is looking out at one of the waterfalls at left and to the right he is taking a stroll thru the NP.

 


Our next destination was The Great Smokey Mountains National Park at the Cosby entrance in Tennessee.  It soon became one of my most favorite campgrounds because of the wildness of the surrounding mountain forest.  We were able to sample a variety of interesting hikes while observing the details of water ways, degrees of shade, the tenacity of organic forms, fragrances, layers, patterns, and rock gardens.  Blessedly rejuvenating to my soul.

Julie contemplates the complexity and simplicity of this
mountain stream as the water follows us along our path.








This is bear country and we were always mindful of our surroundings.  On one of our hikes we came across some fresh bear droppings and wisely decided to change our course.

This trip we have enjoyed near perfect weather which is not always something one can plan on.

On our way home to Florida we took some of the back roads in South Carolina and happened upon fields and fields of ripe cotton.  We were in awe of something we had only read about and such an important part our Nation's history.