A Grand Show

“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor ever rising.” John Muir

Early morning from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Little Switzerland Of North Carolina

The best things in life are rarely found in the places you plan to go. They typically occur at unlikely times and in places where you least expect to find something special.

That’s exactly what happened when we were searching for lunch on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had packed snacks and drinks but hadn’t planned for our midday meal. According to our trusty map (always carry a map because cell service is unreliable in the mountains), we were approaching a small town called Little Switzerland.

As you exit the Parkway, you will immediately see a resort called Switzerland Inn. It’s home to fine dining, shopping, a spa and more. But if you keep going, there’s a little area on the side of the mountain where you’ll find the village post office and a complex that includes a restaurant, general store and bookstore.

That’s right, friends.

In the middle of the wilderness, in a town populated by approximately 46 people – yours truly found a bookstore.

It was a proud moment.

We were there for lunch, not books, so our first stop was the Little Switzerland Cafe. Here we had the best meal I’ve eaten in ages.

The food was prepared fresh and served by a handful of waitresses who know how to hustle. We did have to wait a few minutes for a table because it was quite busy with locals and tourists including lots of folks on bicycles and motorcycles.

It was worth the wait.

They have vegetarian options and everything is made with what tasted like very fresh ingredients. My quiche had a flaky, buttery crust and was served with a fresh salad and homemade bread. The attention detail was impressive especially for the price which was about $10.

In the general store you’ll find some souvenirs and handmade items as well as some things you might need while out adventuring like aspirin and bandaids.

The bookstore, though, is the stuff that dreams are made of. It looks tiny from outside but the store is multiple rooms that wind around and reach into the basement. It’s packed from floor to ceiling with new and used books and interesting things to see in every nook and cranny.

At this point in the trip I had already purchased an alarming amount of books so I practiced restraint and purchased just one – a lovely little pocket sized copy of Thoreau’s “Walden.”

Little Switzerland was such a fabulous diversion that I badly want to go back to stay at the inn and explore the area (and the bookstore) more.

By the way, people like to think of Appalachia and rural areas as being backward. There are charging stations for your electric car right outside that bookstore.

Little Switzerland Books and Beans can be found online here. Learn more about Switzerland Cafe here. And if you’re interested in staying, there are a few options in the area including Switzerland Inn which we passed on our way on and off the Parkway. Find it here.

Mount Mitchell

There are plenty of opportunities to stray off the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of them is at Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi.

The 6,684 foot mountain is protected by Mount Mitchell State Park. Here, you’ll find hiking trails, a visitors center and a short paved trail to an observation tower at the very top. That paved trail is just 989 feet and steep but manageable and well worth the view.

The Cherokee people who once called this land home called this mountain Attakulla.

European settlers eventually renamed it for Elisha Mitchell, the University of North Carolina professor who proved in 1835 that the mountain is several hundred feet taller than Mount Washington in New Hampshire.

He died in 1857 when he fell to his death at nearby Mitchell Falls. He is buried at the summit of this mountain.

The lady in this picture is my hero. She is elderly and appeared to be traveling alone. She took her time walking to the observation deck where she sat happily and enjoyed her surroundings.

I want to be her when I grow up.

Mount Mitchell is a nice diversion if you have time. Want to learn more? Click here!

A Day On the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is said to be one of the most scenic drives in the country. It connects the Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. It’s two lane, following the Blue Ridge Mountains, so it’s curvy and lots of fun to drive if you like mountain driving.

Work began in 1935 on the astounding 469 miles long road.

I have not driven the entire thing but have been on sections at various times and it is always a treat. There are side trips to enjoy from the parkway, scenic overlooks, and hiking opportunities. Plus, the looks of the mountains change with the weather and time of day.

We started out early to avoid Saturday morning sightseers. As we drove up the mountain road that morning, we experienced rain and gloom, saw sunshine burning off fog, felt the wind whip through our hair and even drive through a cloud high atop one mountain section.

It was early spring at the highest points where things were just starting to come alive. Down the mountain a ways, spring wildflowers bloomed and trees were in full leaf. The contrast was great fun to experience

The birds were especially vocal everywhere we went and this made my heart happy.

There are some things to see and do along the way including visitors centers, a folk art center and Mount Mitchell which is the highest point east of the Mississippi.

We took a couple of side trips that are worth stories of their own so I’ll tell you about those spots another day.

If you want to do some sightseeing but struggle with walking, this is great way to safely enjoy your natural surroundings. Pack a snack, roll down the windows, and enjoy the ride.