Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway
October 2013
And referring to activities…..well our Fall Cruise through Highlands, Sapphire Valley, on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Cherohala Skyway and overnight stay in Cherokee, NC was fun, fun, fun. The Atlanta group met at McDonalds in Buford for a quick breakfast before driving on to Highlands for a late lunch. We joined up with Beth and John Nash, Sweetie and Darlene Armstrong, Thomas Boyland and son Shaun in Highlands for lunch at the Main Street Bistro. Budd and Darr Neidig met us at the hotel in Cherokee after playing in Gatlinburg. Unfortunately, Norman and Linda Penfield left our caravan in Highlands due to Linda’s motion sickness. We found them again in Cherokee, NC with Linda slowly recovering.
From Highlands we traveled on curvy Highway 64 East through Cashiers and Sapphire Valley to NC 215. Hwy 215 was a beautiful drive with NO traffic and little motorcycles chasing or passing us. We stopped at a scenic overlook for pictures and met the 4 motorcyclists behind us. None of us could believe this beautiful highway had not been discovered. It was a true off-the-beaten path road!
All of us agreed that this year, the leaf color was spectacular! It is truly hard to describe the brilliant colors and breathtaking vistas we experienced. Our Fall Cruise is one of our more popular trips and this year, Mother Nature outdid herself which added so much more to our enjoyment! We arrived in Cherokee around 5:30 pm. We checked in, unloaded our beverage cart, and suitcases, and hooked up with Darr and Budd, Norman and Linda. We got a chance to freshen up, and schedule the shuttle to transport us to Harrah’s Casino and Ruth Chris for dinner. The shuttle was a perfect transport; $1/person, pickup at our hotel’s front door and drop off at the front door of the Casino. The restaurant had the table for 15 ready and the fun started. We enjoyed a cocktail or two, some wine appetizers, wonderful entrees and desserts and lots of laughter and conversation.
After dinner, a few eager souls explored the Casino’s slots and games; others headed back to the hotel for rest. Most of us met for breakfast around 9 am before heading out. Some stayed to explore the area. Our adventure ended after a good BBQ luncheon in a little town somewhere in NC. Then it was pedal to the floor to get home after hugs and goodbyes. Our next adventure was our Christmas cruise to october2013, GA. We stayed overnight so we could enjoy good German beers, food, retail therapy, wine tours and being tourists in this little Alpine village beauty in North Georgia. A relaxing Christmas cruise. With Tennessee well represented on the trip!
Editors Note: The squirting of mustard on a Hamburger from an unexpectedly, suspiciously and loosely capped plastic mustard container did cause an "irreversible stain" (is that an oxymoron?) as clearly evidenced in his son's and Andreas photography. The restaurant shall remain nameless. And said editor will never eat there again...
See you next time!
Paula Vopelak - Vice President
Members on Trip
Linda and Norman Penfield
Paula and Russ Vopelak
Darlene and Coleman Armstring
Darr and Bud Neidig
Beth and John Nash
Bill Corn
Thomas & Shaun Boyland, Andrea Gallup