We were a bit “Wow’d” by our stay at Chesnut Cottage B&B and our short time in Columbia, SC. Historic, friendly, “southern”… all general terms we could use to describe our experience. We were treated to another amazing breakfast, thoughtfully representative of the South Carolina palette. In short, we couldn’t have asked for anything more, with the room, meal, services and hosts. Simply perfect.
For those following a map… Columbia proved to be our North / South pivot, as we set the GPS for positions that look homeward. At this point we were into the trip some 2,650 kms. It would be, however, a diversion to the west first. Next stop… Asheville, NC via the I-26 Connector. Sunday highways, with lots of space, fair weather and no construction, allowed for easy driving. The terrain also changed today, as rolling mountains began to terrace the horizon. Just one stop here… as Ms L zeroed in on an antiques shop just minutes off the highway👍.
We entered the limits of Asheville just about noon… and once again had designs on a little walk about and food (kind of like we did in Greensboro & Columbia). Janie had scoped out options… and we landed at Bear’s BBQ Smokehouse! Once again, we selected a combo item from menu in an order to sample… this time around it was burnt ends, 1/2 chicken and kolbassa with sides of collard greens and corn. Oh… and a mustard BBQ sauce that took it next level. Thats the meal of the day foodie friends!
Downtown Asheville has a definite vibe… hipster “bougie” thing going on, kind of crossed with an underlying “Mountain Appalachia”. Not sure if that makes sense… but we walked the core and found a coffee at the Rite Rite cafe to relax and get off the road for a bit (I guess that sounds hipster 😳). Then it was more highway, weaving through the tree covered rolling hills of Appalachia. As we poked through the Tennessee State line, passing National forests and reserves, we knew we were getting close!
Hello Great Smoky Mountains National Park!!! We checked in at Elkmont Campground at about 4:30 PM and had the site set up 1/2 hr later. Great spot with fixed tent pad, picnic table, fire pit, mixed forest canopy and a babbling brook that adorns site N-7. New tent seemed to fit the bill nicely… went together with very little effort and sturdy. We snacked, looped back to the visitor centre, and walked the short 1 mile Elkmont trail. Before bedtime we used the dry firewood 🔥 we bought for a little campfire (surely for ambience as it wasn’t cold). For our viewing pleasure, a gaggle of turkeys foraged through the wooded area adjacent to the river while firefly’s magically appeared, only to vanish as quickly as they’d arrived. Also, lots of information and warnings posted in regard to “bars” 🐻 so we kept things tidy with no food or garbage on site.
In the end… it all proved a bit of a detox! SOS was the extent of digital cell signal so we slammed the phones into airplane mode and threw them in the corner. The “being served” nature of the B&B’s, where we’d been so spoiled the last two nights, was gone. Yet the weather cooperated, to the extent that it cooled down to near 20°C overnight. I slept hard and the white noise of creek was therapeutic. “Great Smoky” was a “Great Choice”, and a little camping / woodsmoke is good for the soul. Maybe we can squeak in another night of camping before we hit home! 🏕️
Trip sounds very enjoyable so far. I believe all your preparations and daily plans/adjustments are working!
Wasting too much time here at home today following the Olympics !!!
If we were home, we’d be following Olympics as well Eileen! We’ve caught snippets while in restaurants but have fallen behind in the news (last I heard a NS Boxer won a Bronze). Janie said to mention we just passed “Dollywood” in Tennessee state – had to play 9 – 5 😂. Well soon be at our furthest point westward, so tumbling back begins today!!!
Always look forward to the ‘food’ part of the trip. Great pics and great descriptions. Mmmm. How have the gas prices compared. Just trying to figure out the average cost of an average day of travel for fuel, tolls, etc… But wait. I’m sure you’ve got that in a SS somewhere:)
Gas definitely isn’t the deal it once was… we’ve been jumping between a little over/little under $3 American a gallon. With the dollar exchange, it almost seems comparable to home. Tolls are downright nasty on the east coast, but as one moves westward it all seems a little less “tolerated”! We’ve been pulling back on the big driving days after the original push (except today – Day 7 😂 which looks like an 8 hr run through Kentucky and Ohio). It’s more work and effort to be moving via car here, but the inherent rewards are the freedom to adjust itinerary on a dime and the ability to relate with what we are seeing on the ground. We appreciate the difference between “fly in” travel and the “American Road Trip”!
And I love reading about your B&B experiences. There are so many great possibilities out there instead of the typical motel room. The ones that are accompanied by great food and hosts add a whole new level to the trip. We got locked out of one of ours in Plitvice, Croatia late one night. We were close to walking back to our van for some sleep when we realized it was a ‘push’ door and not a ‘pull’ door. A bit embarrassing …. but I’m sure it could happen to anyone.
The old trick door 😂… great story!!! I think that Croatia has to get on my list… it’s one you refer to often and an area we’ve yet to see. B&B, vacation rental, Hotel, Inn, hostel and, last night, campground have changed so much since we first started moving around and travelling. The internet has absolutely revolutionized the accommodations industry, from keyless entry to a hotel room through viewing your campsite online before selecting “Book”. It’s hard to even anticipate what’s next… but for the independent traveller it’s never been easier 👍
You’re stay at the ‘Chestnut’ and the history lessons … along with that game; sounded like a lot to experience in one day. I missed the game myself (my short lived love-affair with a recent econo streaming service has ended abruptly as well). Camping the next day seemed like a good way to absorb and rest up. Trip sounds wonderful so far. These posts and everyone’s comments have been great reading. Thanks for posting.
It was an awesome day… actually everything has been as expected (or better). And yes, Great Smoky was a welcome reprieve from both highway and busy streets/businesses. Back on the road today… exploring Kentucky (first time here for us). A beautiful state… at Abe Lincoln Birthplace this afternoon. Glad you’re following along 👍!
Another awesome read Chris. Glad the new tent seems to be a keeper… and the bears didn’t visit!
Arrived in PEI this afternoon in time to catch Jenna’s softball game. Perfect weather!
Yes… tent held up perfectly. Just scheming a place to hide it 😂! We saw wild turkeys and fireflies at the tent and we’d take that any day. Hello to everyone on the island… we’re catching some ball today as well if all works out – In Pittsburgh 🤞. Safe on the roads Eileen!