The last day

Walmart early to exchange yet another suitcase, I am now on my third, then north up the Blue Ridge Parkway, first stop Craggy Gardens to climb Craggy Dome for a 360 view of North Carolina, it was a serene moment on my own at that height with the world spread out all around me, then a US aircraft flew over and waggled his wings, obviously time for me to go.

The next stop was Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, I couldn't not go there but by the time I did it was mobbed by tourists and little black beetles, I asked a Ranger what kind of beetles they were and he said they were annoying black bugs, says it all really.

The view south from Craggy Dome

a  view from Mount Mitchell.

Ok I'm going

That was going to be as far north as I was going to go but I hadn't done much walking for the past two days so I went up to Crabtree Falls and it was an inspired decision, it is a beautiful setting and not too heavily visited because of the 3 mile circular trail to get there and back rated as strenuous in the guide books. As I have said before the photographs do not due justice to any of these sites you will have to come and look for yourselves.

Back in Asheville I made an amazing discovery, there is a Pinball Museum where you can play all day for  $10, I managed an hour before I could hear Jan telling me enough was enough. (Battle Square if you ever want to visit)

Tomorrow I start my journey home by driving down to Atalanta. It is probably good that it is all over because I am beginning to run out of superlatives describing my experiences, but it will be good to get away from the sound of Harleys and the smell of grease, so I am looking forward to home.