Sunday, Oct 4 Blue Ridge, Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Falls, Brevard

 Sunday, October 4

40 degrees this morning and there is heavy fog over Wolf Creek Lake.  We walked down the boat ramp to snap this photo of a kayaker who arrived early and parked next to us.

We see several deer and wild turkeys as we continue north toward a town called Sylvia where we filled the gas tank.  Filled our tanks as well with a Wendy’s breakfast sandwich, which we’d heard good things about….eh, not so much.

We hop onto a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning. The leaves are beginning to change, with occasional bursts of reds and yellows.  We are on the section with pretty high elevation, so this probably has more color than most. Should be even more when we head back this way in a week or so.

 We stop at a lot of Overlooks – Rabb Knob, Standing Rock, Grassy Ridge and the highest elevation at 6053.  The Devil’s Courthouse Rock formation is home to the speedy peregrine falcons which can fly at 65mph and get up to 200mph in dives.

By noon, traffic has gotten heavy and parking is sometimes an issue.  Perfect timing, as we exit the Parkway after Looking Glass Rock (below) in search of a few more waterfalls.  When wet or icy, the face of this rock is very reflective.  Not so today with no sun.

We stop by the Cradle of Forestry, which would ordinarily have lots of displays and educational things about Forestry.  But it is closed now except for a few trails.  We run into the giftshop to pick up a few postcards to send to Ruby and Rose. Post cards are getting more difficult to find except at touristy spots, but the girls like getting mail.

Next is Sliding Rock falls.  There are a few brave souls riding the water down the steep, rocky 60’ incline that ends in an 8’ deep pool.  Water temp is around 55!  Brrr.  Greg takes a phone video of a Dad and his 6-7 year old son doing the slide and emails it to them.

Looking Glass Falls in the Pisgah National Forest is the next stop.  A not-too-difficult trail including a wooden stairway leads to this lovely 60' tall falls.  Both it and the river that forms it are named for the rock formation shown in the last Parkway picture above.

Tonight we stay at a Holiday Inn Express in Brevard! What Beth originally thought was some poison ivy has spread and we figured out that chiggers are the culprit. Nearly invisible little mites that leave extremely itchy bites.  Hot soapy showers and calamine lotion should do the trick!  Tomorrow we will launder the bedding and clothes to be sure.  Greg goes to a local barbque spot called Hawg Wild to pick up dinner.  We share a mixed plate with ribs, Eastern barbecue (kind of a vinegary sauce) and western (sweeter tomato based sauce) meat, along with beans and cole slaw.  (Definitely prefer the western.)

We managed to check in just before 4:00 so were able to join the family Zoom call.  Always nice to see these smiling, loving faces!  Watched a little football and planned the next few days travel.  Felt pretty comfortable at the hotel, where masks and disinfectant were prominent.  They seem pretty well booked!