The Blue Ridge Parkway runs right into Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We did not stay in the parkway the whole way. 
Driving with a view down the road like this is tiring. We dropped off of the mountains and traveled on the interstate for some of the way. We stopped in Asheville NC for groceries. We found a Trader Joe's and next door was a nice upscale market called Teeters. Asheville seems like the kind of city we would like to know better. There is a Habitat for Humanity affiliate there, so maybe we can come back and work someday.
Driving with a view down the road like this is tiring. We dropped off of the mountains and traveled on the interstate for some of the way. We stopped in Asheville NC for groceries. We found a Trader Joe's and next door was a nice upscale market called Teeters. Asheville seems like the kind of city we would like to know better. There is a Habitat for Humanity affiliate there, so maybe we can come back and work someday. On the east side of the Smokies the parkway has several low clearance tunnels so we drove through Cherokee NC on a secondary highway to come to the park. Cherokee is a sister city to the towns near Mt Rushmore in South Dakota. There are miles of dense tourist traps, including Santa Land and a Zoo! 
Once in awhile we could peak through the clutter and see the mountains. We stopped at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to get oriented to the park. We learned the weather forecast was for severe weather for the next 24 - 36 hours. We went to Smokemont Campground and settled in for a 2 night stay. 
We explored the campground area before the storm arrived. Smokemont was cultivated by the early Cherokees and later was a townsite for a lumber operation 
We even saw a bit of blue sky!
Once in awhile we could peak through the clutter and see the mountains. We stopped at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to get oriented to the park. We learned the weather forecast was for severe weather for the next 24 - 36 hours. We went to Smokemont Campground and settled in for a 2 night stay. We explored the campground area before the storm arrived. Smokemont was cultivated by the early Cherokees and later was a townsite for a lumber operation We even saw a bit of blue sky! We arrived Monday afternoon; the rain started about 8 Tuesday morning. It did not stop until Wednesday morning. So what is a quilter to do? Quilt! I got lots more sewing done. I was a happy camper. Dan was feeling a bit of "cabin fever" 
... but nothing a little snooze wouldn't cure. With the crazy weather we thought it prudent to keep the radio on. Wouldn't you know it the only station that was clear was country music. At least every hour we heard those loud beeps that in Oregon mean there is a test of the emergency broadcast system. Only these were not tests. There were tornado watches in many counties - not the one where we were. Then flash flood warnings and severe wind warnings - again none seemed to be in our immediate area. In between the warnings I think I heard "Drunk Americans" about 10 times! Uhg! The rain was steady but winds were not bad. That was good because we were under lots of trees. 
This the camper bumper in the morning after the storm. The next two pictures are of the stream near camp before and after the rain:
before
after.
... but nothing a little snooze wouldn't cure. With the crazy weather we thought it prudent to keep the radio on. Wouldn't you know it the only station that was clear was country music. At least every hour we heard those loud beeps that in Oregon mean there is a test of the emergency broadcast system. Only these were not tests. There were tornado watches in many counties - not the one where we were. Then flash flood warnings and severe wind warnings - again none seemed to be in our immediate area. In between the warnings I think I heard "Drunk Americans" about 10 times! Uhg! The rain was steady but winds were not bad. That was good because we were under lots of trees. This the camper bumper in the morning after the storm. The next two pictures are of the stream near camp before and after the rain: before after. We drove through the park Wednesday morning before the next storm arrived. There had been several trees down, but roads were clear by the time we passed. 
We had a few good views. 
Oconaluftee River. 
This is one of several "Quiet Walkways". 
At the beginning of the path is a sign suggesting walk a ways - no destination - just enjoy the beauty of nature. Very good advice. 
We have been surprised by the crowds here. The weather is marginal at best and it is midweek, but many of the parking lots are swamped. At one where we managed to park I had to get out and stop traffic so Dan could back out. The quiet walk sites rarely had anyone parked there. Hmmm
We had a few good views. Oconaluftee River. This is one of several "Quiet Walkways". By lunch time the rain was coming back so we got a campsite at Elkmont and settled in again. Dan worked on photos on the computer and you guessed it - I quilted. I only need to sew 120 more of those 840 blue/neutral squares! More good news - on this side of the Smokies Tennessee's NPR station comes in clear.
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