We left Morristown on June 3 heading for Asheville, NC. We stayed at a very small RV Park, only 5 spaces. It was nearly new, very quiet and just right for us. We drove 75 miles up Blue Ridge Parkway. This great 469 mile scenic highway follows closely the highest ridges between the Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, attaining altitudes of between 3000 and 4000 feet. It was designed for drive-awhile, stop-awhile enjoyment of the scenic views and small towns and attractions along the way. We had hoped, at one time, to drive this route on our motor cycle but never did. Someday, perhaps, we will be able to drive the other nearly 400 miles of this beautiful Parkway. We made several stops along the way. We stopped in a very small town, Little Switzerland, for lunch and to take a self guided tour of an old turn-of-the-century mine. Feldspar and Mica were mined here. About 60 other minerals, some valuable gems, were mined and sold for about $2 a bucket! Feldspar is in Bon Ami and used in other products for polishing and cleaning. We were surprised to learn that Mica is used in cosmetics to give the product a shine. This mining operation was inside of a cave alongside a river. It is a picturesque scene. Another of our stops was to Linville Falls. Here we hiked one mile up a mountain to see beautiful waterfalls on the Linville River as it cascades through 2 falls and begins its 2000 feet descent through the beautiful gorge. There are several other hiking trails in this area to view the beautiful rhododendron and other native wild flowers of this area. It is a spectacular area
