More Parkway and NC History

 Teresa drove us carefully from the Altapass Orchard (where we indulged just a bit) and where I'd taken photos of their new history exhibits.

 I was focused on historic displays that day, and saw this one in the Minerals Museum.  We didn't have time to see the whole exhibit about the geology of the area (which is extensive and very educational.)

Altapass, North Carolina history

 I had to pause in enjoying my homemade apple pie a la mode to record this photo for you!  In no time there was just an empty bowl...and smiling elder.

 While my much younger friend enjoyed hers, I spied the "history of Altapass" sign over on the post.  But I had to watch some of the more limber folks dancing to the music...Sunday afternoons at Altapass are live music and dancing! Free. And lots of those folks wore their clogging shoes (which are maybe like clogs, but I think more specifically designed for dancing.)

 It was a huge wall map, so I've tried to capture little bits in each photo.

 If you received any North or South Carolina history in school, you must have heard of some of the big Revolutionary War battles, of which Cowpens SC, and Kings Mountain NC are spoken of.  I learned of them through my various ancestors in my family tree (though I was raised both in Texas and Missouri, so didn't learn about this history in school at all!)

 I was particularly glad to see other elements of local history were also shown...here a little bit about the first Americans to live in this area...

 This is the weather we had for driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway...and I was so happy Teresa was driving this trip!

Clay Day at the Folk Art Center

On the Blue Ridge Parkway, near Asheville and my home town of Black Mountain, there's a great Folk Art Center run by the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

This Saturday is Clay Day.  Go to this link to learn more.

Little Switzerland for a moment

starting soon, my traveling photos will be once again over at my other blog, Living in Black Mountain, NC

Stopping when we felt like it

Off in the distance, I could see, but could not capture, a streak of white, as if a mine or a bluff were there...but it was way too far for a photo.

We didn't even get out of the car, but took shot through the open window, which was thrilling because we couldn't see the pretty clouds from inside, and there they were framing the two trees.

I loved this bluff, as we approached the Altapass area, where we'll be going for apples soon.

We found Linn Cove Viaduct

Only on a Monday afternoon in August, can we go slow, and not have traffic to block the views!  This was so great, and the vistas were the result of no cars on either side of the road.  That explains why we never saw the beautiful bridge the last time, because if you add a stream of cars on the road, the bridge can barely be seen.