This day was partly a logistics day. Some necessary shopping, some supplies for at least tomorrow's assault on Mount Mitchell. I also visited the Folk Arts Center, which has nice displays and sales of contemporary regional folk arts, and a cool display on the design and construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway, going into some detail on the design principles that make the road as attractive as it is. I then drove on to Black Mountain, a small town outside Asheville with a one-street walkable downtown. Good for lunch, a haircut, and the necessary purchase of cooking gas for the upcoming trek into the Smokies.
Dinner was at the Laughing Seed Cafe, a place definitely Russell-unfriendly. Which means I liked it.
Friday June 22
This morning featured a hike up the highest mountain east of the Mississippi. Mount Mitchell is, amazingly enough, not on the Appalachian Trail, but it has lovely views out to the Smokies.
Unfortunately, the very top of the summit was closed off due to the reconstruction of the observation platform.Did I mention there was a road up to the summit area, and a concession stand? I actually hiked from further down, near where the access road meets the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail featured some nice (if slightly after-peak) rhododendrons.
Dinner was at the Ophelia's World Cafe. It was good, but I really liked the other places I've eaten better.
Next update will not be until probably next Thursday, due to four-day hike into the Smokies.
Happy Trails!
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