Like everyone else, the COVID restrictions cancelled my travel plans this summer. I finally reached my breaking point and decided I had to go somewhere. After much deliberation on the safest way to travel, I decided to go visit my aunt and uncle in western North Carolina. They graciously agreed to let me visit them and explore the area in and around the Pisgah National Forest. I have to say, I’m spoiled. My uncle worked for the National Forestry Service in Pisgah for years, so I basically had my own personal guide all week.

We started the week with a short drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Mitchell State Park. It is the highest peak east of the Mississippi river and even on the overcast day we were there had an amazing view. After our stop at the peak we hiked from the Deep Gap trailhead to spend a couple of hours hiking the top part of the crest trail. We went from Mount Mitchell to Mount Craig and Big Tom before returning to the trailhead for a picnic among the wildflowers. We stopped at Stephanie’s Ice Cream, a drive-thru ice cream shop on Hwy 19, for Pina Colada milkshakes on the way home. If you ever find yourself in Burnsville, I highly recommend you do the same!

Uncle Paul had been itching to go to the Cataloochee Valley a short drive away in Smoky Mountain National Park. So, we set out for it early the next day. As we drove into the valley that morning, the Smoky Mountains lived up to their name. Between the clouds and fog it looked like smoke had settled in on the valley. We spent the morning trout fishing on Cataloochee Creek. It was lovely despite the fact that the trout eluded us. By the time we finished fishing the fog had burned off. We headed over to the main part of the valley try to catch a glimpse of the elk herd that calls that the valley home. Despite the heat, we managed to see a mom and her calf walking across the meadow. I’d love to go back sometime in cooler weather to try to see more of the herd.

After that adventure we stayed closer to home for a couple of days. We went fishing on one of Uncle Paul’s favorite stretches of the South Toe River and had much better luck with the trout. (The takeout pulled pork from the Pig & Grits hit the spot after long day of fishing on the river.) We did a short hike in the Black Mountain Campgrounds to Setrock Creek Falls. We also stopped in at the One of a Kind Art Gallery in the old Micahville General Store to peruse some of the local art work. (I found my new favorite coffee mug there!)

To drag out the trip as long as possible I took the long way home. The forecast was for clouds and rain, but I hopped on the Blue Ridge Parkway anyway. The weather kept the traffic away so when there were breaks in the clouds it was easy to pull over to peak into the valleys below. And when it rained the wildflowers lining the parkway still made for a beautiful view. I enjoyed having one more day with my head in the clouds before heading back to the real world.