North Carolina

I left you last as we arrived in Waynesville to pouring rain.  The next day rain or shine we had several things we wanted to accomplish, and first was to go into Asheville for lunch, always food, right?  We had been to Wild Ginger in the fall and it was so good we had to repeat and we can report it was just as good, absolutely scrumptious pho and Banh Mi.

Then we hit Publix since it would be the last place in our summer's travels we would be able to shop at Publix, also we got some fresh fish at Whole Foods thinking it would also be the last for that until we get up into Maine and can get really fresh fish:-)  

The next day was overcast and cool, but perfect for driving a big loop through the cute town of Sylva.  We found a small lake to have our picnic lunch.

It was chilly with the wind, but nice to get out.    But we did see some beautiful views.

The next day was beautiful and almost warm so we went into Waynesville for lunch at Sweet Onion, made a reservation this time after getting burned last year, and after a good lunch we walked all over Waynesville.  It's a nice small town and not yet filled with tourists like in the summer and especially the fall.  After a ride around the area to the east of Waynesville and west of Asheville we headed back and met our new neighbors, Roz and Dave.  They had just gone through a horrible experience with their 5th wheel and told us they had been delayed.  Their 5th came off the truck!!!  The safety cables kept it attached but it did damage to their pickup truck, but amazingly did little damage to the 5th.  But understandably, they were traumatized by the event, and as the hitch manufacturer told them, that never happens?!?  We found we had a lot in common and really enjoyed meeting them.

Us in the middle and their 5th to the left in the picture

The next day was haircut day for me, and after we both looked at each other and said let's go back to Wild Ginger for lunch.  So off we went and we both enjoyed a bowl of pho.  After we drove south down through Hendersonville, on to Brevard before circling back, and in the process discovered some absolutely beautiful water for future fishing, Looking Glass Creek and the Davidson River in the Pisgah Forest so lots of access.

When we got back, the campground was full of activity, it seems a huge tree fell down right behind our sites across the stream that runs through the campground, and a tree service had been called in to remove it from the waterway.  It was interesting to watch what looked like a father-son team take care of it.  I don't think they were anticipating an audience:-)

Dad working his way out on the main log to affix the tow rope.

Then the son making his very cold way out to cut the log in half.

Then it being pulled across and out of the stream.  The next is a picture of the machine pulling it.

A lot of excitement in the old campground:-)  We did see some nice views and a tiny cute church on our ride.

Then we got together with Roz and Dave for drinks and appetizers, had a nice visit and solved many of the problems in the world before we got rained out again.

The rain got heavier and heavier and was still pouring when we had to leave to move down to Murphy, oh well, can't win them all.  So now we are in one of our favorite little campgrounds, Peachtree Cove, for several days.  

We went out for lunch in Blairsville to a great cuban place, Nina's, then took a ride up to the Nantahala where we planned to fish.  Jan said hold off on buying our licenses until we check out the water, turned out to be a stellar idea since the river was higher than we have ever seen it before.  No fishing.  We checked with a couple of guys that work for the power company and they told us since they had a transformer out they were diverting the water into the river for the next several days.  Oh well there's always this fall.  But the high water made for some beautiful falls.

Then on the way back, looking for another place to fish, we found an access to an interesting river, the Valley River, the same one that flows through the campground.  They have a nice mile long walking path along the river and while we were walking we saw an interesting fish seine.  We assume it is either for research or it is set up by the Cherokee tribe.

So we plan to sightsee some more and may return to Valley River to fish after all.