All it takes is a warm autumn day and the feet start itching for a country drive, some hot apple cider, and incredible views of colorful leaves at the height of their beauty. Growing up and living in the north, fall was always accompanied by a stop at a pumpkin patch to choose your own, or even better, pick your own apples followed by a hot cider and freshly baked donuts, still warm, covered in cinnamon sugar. My most recent trek from Virginia to Texas, took me through Tennessee. When I realized I was passing by Great Smoky Mountains National Park, I knew I had to stop for a tour. I had no idea what I was in for, wrongly assuming it was off-season. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the busiest of all American National Parks, busier than the big ones in Utah, and the Grand Canyon! In 2020, they admitted over 12 million visitors into the park. In July, over …
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Smith Mountain Lake Camping
You'll find Smith Mountain Lake camping at Smith Mountain Lake State Park and at three or four other private campgrounds around the lake. The first time I heard about Smith Mountain Lake, I knew I wanted to see it. Smith Mountain Lake is the second largest lake in Virginia with 500 miles of shoreline. It was created in the sixties by the Appalachian Power Company via a dam built for hydroelectric power. The waters of the Roanoke and Blackwater Rivers flooded 20,600 acres of (mostly) farmland. Since its shores are nestled amongst the Blue Ridge Mountains, the fresh-water fjords offer wonderful fishing holes and tranquil blue waters with green shores. Smith Mountain Lake State Park On the northeast side of the lake, after trundling down roads with rural neighborhoods, you’ll come upon Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Opened in 1983, visitors swim, boat, fish, and picnic by the …
Big Bend National Park is Worth the Effort
Big Bend National Park is worth the effort to get there. I crossed the border into Texas, and for the first time since departing Virginia, I was in a new state. One I hadn’t been to before. The Lone Star State The Longhorn State The biggest state I planned to cross on this trip. I could barely sit still in my seat; I was so excited. So when I saw the Welcome Center sign, I had to stop. What treasures did this jumbo state have to offer a newbie? After taking the required selfie in front of the lone star, I grabbed a few brochures and walked up to the counter. “I’ve never been to Texas before. I love nature and hiking. What shouldn’t I miss?” “Big Bend National Park.” “Big Bend National Park? How did I not know that Texas had a national park? Why have I not heard of it before?” “It’s remote so not many people go off the main highways to go see it, …
