May 30 - Blue Ridge Parkway

Topped up the diesel before we left civilisation.  Very impressed - the fuel stop sold beer and wine.  We could learn a thing or two from the Americans!

So we joined the Blue Ridge Parkway, just out of Asheville, stopped at the Info Centre, watched the movie (twice) and picked up heaps of brochures etc.  It is truly a beautiful piece of country – much like home!  There are purple rhododendrums (spelling?) growing wild alongside the roadway, although we are a touch too early to see all the spring wild flowers in bloom.  The views from the well signposted “over views” (look outs) are indeed amazing!  However the road is really not suitable for an RV.  Picture the Rimulayas (Rimutaka’s to the uninitiated) or the Paekak Hill road) overgrown with very low hanging trees – really not suitable for a behemouth like ours! 

It was lovely, but after 60 odd slightly stressful (for me) miles at a maximum speed of 45mph (the limit) we decided to abandon it - the trees were scratching the RV to bits.  But…. note to self for the future:  check out the escape route first.  Highway 80, make that goat track 80, had hairpins we had to back up to get around, all the while dodging bikers having fun!  Push bikes as well I might add!!  Why would you??  A low slung convertible would be brilliant!  We pulled into the first RV suitable campground we came across, de-stressed and studied all the literature we had collected.  Now we have a more feasible plan!  Tomorrow we will be all over it!  Part of our plan is to check out “The Crooked Road” Virginia’s heritage music trail - Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park etc.  Will let you know how we get on....