Monday, October 24, 2016

RV Rally – Maggie Valley, NC – Days 1&2

I’ve posted before that we are members of the Tennessee Travelers Chapter of FMCA and we recently participated in an RV rally at the Pride RV Resort & Campground in Maggie Valley, NC, located in the Piedmont area of the eastern United States.  The campground is laid out such that a creek runs along the back which is sided by a large gassy area and our sites were in the first two rows facing that direction.  Our coach is on the right in the last shot.







The grass area contained several fire rings and we laid claim to the one in front of us for our nightly campfire.  Even though it was in the 70’s for most of the week, it cooled quickly after sundown and the fire felt very good.


The campground staff took good care of us and let us use the various facilities, such as the pavilion, as needed.  Everything worked well - even the wi-fi was decent – and the cable was very good.  After looking at several other campgrounds, this seems to be the best place in the immediate area.

We had 12 coaches at the rally and after a potluck the evening of arrival and a delicious camp cooked breakfast of French toast bake, bacon, and sausage the next morning, we headed out for our first day’s activity.  We took a 45 mile drive on Blue Ridge Parkway where we stopped at several overlooks including the highest point on the BRP and we made a side trip to Looking Glass Falls.  








The leaves were well past their peak up high but we did pass through some nice areas going up and down - they didn't seem nearly as bright as some years and the culprit appears to be the summer drought.  We wanted to visit the Mt Pisgah Inn but so did everyone else and the parking lot was full.

That evening we had a delicious supper of smoked pork loin ala Louie (one of our members) with member provided side dishes and desserts, eaten at picnic tables down by the pond and the creek.  "It don't get no better than that."




The next morning, everyone ate breakfast on their own then we made the 30 mile drive over to Asheville to visit the Grove Park Inn, Estes Winn Car Museum, and Grovewood Gallery all located on the same grounds.








After the visit, we had a good lunch at The Corner Kitchen in Biltmore Village where I really enjoyed my brisket sandwich.


Folks then went off on their own and we convened around dusk for the nightly campfire.  I thought our first two days went very well and I’ll post about the remainder of the trip on the next blog.

After making sure my camera bag was in the car for the trip, I discovered upon arrival that my camera was still at home on the table so the photos are all from other members of our group with a few from the web.  Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

10/17 – 10/19/16 event dates

8 comments:

  1. Looks like you are enjoying a fun Rally and some good food as well.
    Now remember the camera next time, lol...

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  2. Looks like a fun trip, Larry! The views and the Grove Park Inn look beautiful!

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  3. Yeah, I hate it when I forget my camera. Looks like you had a great little trip there. I think Maggie's Valley seems like it's in a hole below I-40? I haven't driven that stretch in about a decade. It's nice to find such a pristine area so close to several very large cities. And I see what you mean about the colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway being as subdued as those in my yard. What a disappointment.

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  4. Another great adventure Larry! I haven't been to Maggie Valley in a long time. We adore the Grove Park Inn and especially their Sunday brunch :) The colors are pretty good considering the drought and heat of summer - we have the same problem here. Have a great week!

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  5. Looks like you had a great time! You never know what the fall colors will be for sure; we're lucky this year, good colorful fall here.

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  6. What a bummer it is to forget your camera, but luckily, lots of other people took great pictures. I love trees in the fall - the colors are fantastic! It looks like you had a great time and ate lots of tasty grub.

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  7. Larry, Love the name...not so much the butts...at Rough Butt Bald. It's hard to beat the scenery along the Blue Ridge Parkway though. Thanks for the heads up on the Estes Winn Car Museum and The Corner Kitchen. If I ever get done with my various medical procedures, we have a ton of places we have to explore! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  8. Now I want to go to Asheville. LOVE the Grove Park Inn

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