Day 8 - We are not alone....

Day 8 started out with an early morning get away...the weather was perfect.  Fresh, sunny with lots of potential for a great day.  It did not dissappoint.

We spent all day on the Blueridge, not leaving it until we settled for the night.

In between, we spent some time at Mabry Mill, where we got to see an authentic mill and appalachian home dating back hundreds of years.  We learned how they made appalachian post and lathe chairs from local trees including the woven seat.  These chairs, because of how they were made, lasted a hundred years or more and many are still handed down from family to family.  Life was hard then, although I don't imagine that these people had much opportunity to dwell or think about that.  There were too many other things to occupy their thoughts.


This trip is so much different than the last...last time we had lots of traffic and saw very little, if any, wild life.  This time, not much traffic but we have seen several deer (some who didn't make the crossing of the road), wild turkeys, and another bear.  I happen to be the only one who saw the bear and he was actually quite funny.  I spotted him along the roadside in some tall grass.  The rest of the field had been mowed already, except for this piece of long grass next to the road.  I was in the lead so as I came around the turn I saw the familiar round black head sticking up in the grass...as soon as he noticed that I noticed him, he slowly sank down in the grass and disappeared.  No mistaking that face though!

A little ways further a small deer was starting to cross our path, and as I slowed she turned and ran back into the forest...the damn turkey, not 10 feet further though, had other ideas...his little feet just ran a little faster until he was almost to the other side.  He took off in flight with his tail feather spread...they really are a beautiful animal in the wild.  Not so lucky were the folks who hit one further down the road....not sure if they had stopped to check the damage or collect supper..he was one big turkey!

We passed over the Linn Cove Viaduct late in the day with a quick stop at the center. 

You know it is funny sometimes how you learn things and how providence will sometimes take you by the hand and show you what you need to know.

Our intention had been to make Asheville which was still another hour away and we were all getting a little tired.  We stopped in a spot high in the mountains where we managed to get cell coverage not far from our stop in Linn Cove.  I called ahead to a place we had stayed at back in 2011.  They did not have enough room for us and the costs in that area are now quite high.  I decided to see if we could find something closer.  A couple of phone calls later, no rooms but recommendations for the next place until we found the Big Lynn Lodge. 

At the site of Big Lynn Lodge, used to stand a very large Linden tree.  The Linden tree was native to this region and almost wiped out by disease.  The Linden tree that stood in front of the lodge was also known as the Big Lynn or the marrying tree.  I will let you read the rest of the story in the photo posted below, but suffice to say, in one of these pictures you will see the rest of our group standing below the 2 "sprouts" from that original tree.  All this in a little place on the Blueridge called Little Switzerland.  There is way more history here than I can type in one day.

Marrying Tree "sprouts"

old gates of Little Switzerland

All I can say is that I will stay here again.  Supper and breakfast are included in your rate, as is the phenominal view of the mountains, valley, and sky!

Good night!

Big Lynn Lodge view