Blue Ridge Parkway Do-Over before our Retreat Check-In....

Had a great lazy morning and then checked out of our little place.  Jillian's 2 year anniversary of her 'accident' on the bike was today... She and her Dad were suppose to go out for donuts... but alas, he's here and she's there, so she and Steve got some and posted them on facebook.  Well, we couldn't be outdone... so we found a donut shop here in Asheville and bought some and posted are pic... only after the second try... The first pictures I took I forgot to save... so when I went to post them, NADA... had to buy another donut for another pic... oh darn!

Once that was taken care of, we took another journey on the Blue Ridge Parkway and were well rewarded...

 They really do look like Blue Mountains!

 Come on Jean... get back in the car....

 Left the Parkway on a curvy little highway... look at the 35 MPH sign right next to a 90 degree corner.... there were never any signs for a slower speed... 

Ziplining through the North Carolina Mountains

What a fun day... it started early and let us join with Mother Nature!  We Ziplined and we hiked!  It was beautiful... saw more poison ivy than I ever have ever in my life.  The way it grows up trees with these large 'hairy' vines... Learned about all the different vegetation and even saw the famous Polk plant from the song Polk Salad Annie... way fun... The ziplines were quick with the longest one 3/4 mile and we hit speeds up to 50 mph.... Was way way way fun!

Grant and Parker were our guides and we were with a fun group... All the folks were talkative which always makes a journey more interesting.  Jerry and I weren't the only ones gabbing!

 the first small hike brought us to the first line...

Great hiking between lines....

 This was our 'Brady Bunch' photo.....

 We were then told to act goofy and Jerry and I obliged!!!!

Montreat and the Blue Ridge Parkway

We went on an explore today... Saw some off the beaten track sites, took a bridge picture, and then, tried to see some fabulous views from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I say try, cuz the clouds were surrounding the mountains... except at the top of Mt Mitchell... yeah!!!!!  We had some clearing. 

We started out by visiting Montreat...  Beautiful area... there's also a college there that has the most beautiful grounds... oh, and yes, we found a geocache in the area.  Flat Creek ran throughout the hills.  

 Flat Creek... thank you to a Montreat Employee... pruning the trees, he stopped to help us with a pic!

So, we left the area, had lunch at Louise's... very good and very southern... ate on the porch... and the area flies did try to join us... but the atmosphere made up for it....

Had a puppy enjoy the porch too!  

We were told of a shortcut... through the woods... about 20 minutes on a gravel road... were told to keep on going even when you think this isn't right... and sure enough... we started thinking that and then bam... we were joining the Blue Ridge Parkway 

 We thought... this is it!!!! it'll be so beautiful!

 And then  the clouds lowered....

 And, here is one of the views of the gorgeous mountains...

BUT... we continued on... and on... in the fog... and then... we got to the summit... Mt Mitchell... the tallest peak east of the Mississippi.....

We parked and went out on foot... to the actual peak... nice walkway...  Made the trip up there worthwhile!  Talked with the ranger for a while and then headed back to the car... and the ride home... sure enough... clouds and even rain on the way back... and no gob smacking view!  Still work the adventure!