The middle of nowhere
 

Got away for a few days last weekend for a much needed break from work and some overdue riding time.
Same old place... The small village of Little Switzerland, North Carolina and surrounding area is slowly becoming my home away from home.
The only thing there is a few hotels and the "downtown" area (see pics) but if you want to get away from the rest of the world, this is the place. Great roads , great views, great people.

Bike at hotel

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01687.JPG



This year they were celebrating the village's 100th aniversary.
Like most small towns and villages in this area, 100 years is very old.
Most did not survive that long.
And like most, prior to a hundred years ago there was nothing here.
You lot are lucky to live in a land so rich with history.

Interestingly, for all the swiss flags and waitresses in swiss outfits and such that they carry on. ..No one here is Swiss.
The view here supposedly reminded the original landowner of the view from somewhere he had stayed in Switzerland and that's how it got the name. :lol:
Like the rest of this area in North Carolina, almost everyone here is of Scottish decent. :shock:

Little Switzerland downtown

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01751.JPG


Bike and overflow parking at the post office across the street.
A curvy still looks good in any crowd.

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01754.JPG



Approaching the top of Grandfather Mountain (5,946 ft) on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01769.JPG

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

If you look in the center of this pic you can see the bridge on the other side of the mountain where you will soon be.

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01766.JPG


Grandfather Mountain from the south

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01759.JPG

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Bikes passing through Wildacres Tunnel.
There are 25 tunnels on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.

At speed you'd swear that sign reads Wildar5e Tunnel. LOL

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01748.JPG


Clouds look odd here.

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01708.JPG


Troubled skies over a small town in the valley

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01734.JPG



Almost ghostly bits of clouds break off and head off down the mountain and settle like fog in the valley.

breaking off

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01715.JPG

and on down the mountain

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01716.JPG

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Near the top of Mount Mitchell (6684 ft.)

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01725.JPG


Mountain views
http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01740.JPG

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01741.JPG

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01719.JPG

Bikes in the carpark near the top of Mt. Mitchell.
(and NO , I wasn't riding with them)

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01726.JPG


Weather can change quickly here

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01730.JPG

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Postcard pic

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01727.JPG



Nice roads in the lower elevations as well.

(I've really got to get that **** light fixed) :rolleyes:

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01701.JPG



This looked like a lovely spot to stop and take a break and get a pic of the bike.


http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01695.JPG


I've heard people say they had a house on the lake but this is the first one I've seen that was really ...on the lake!


http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01697.JPG



The parkway

http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01705.JPG


Final view

It's nearly five miles via road to reach the section seen just to the right of center here decending the mountain.


http://www.allenschevron.com/DSC01774.JPG

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Great views. I feels I'm almost there.. I want to get out and about but all roads in essex are flat ;)

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Great pics again BM.

Re-enforcing my view of how vast and varied you have it over that side of the pond. Beautiful. And, gawd, smooooth tarmac!

You have to travel far to get into the mountains?

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Cool. That looks liek a great place to have a nice ride out to

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

Looks fantastic and no potholes :)

Re: The middle of nowhere
 

I really think I need to start planning a trip over there! Looks awesome!