Friday, October 7, 2016: Views from Smoky Mountain National Park, drive to Asheville

Sunrise this morning provided a few clouds to assist in making for a more photogenic picture.
By mid-morning the clouds were really beginning to roll in from the east, a harbinger that Hurricane Matthew is lurking somewhat nearby.  We are not in the hurricane's path.  However, we will see some clouds and rain from the periphery and gobs of evacuees.  Both of those.
Today we drive back over Newfound Gap Road through Smoky Mountain National Park, first having to endure slow, bumper to bumper Gatlinburg traffic extending even miles into the park.  To fortify ourselves for the drive, we stopped at a pancake house.
The colored leaf season is behind in Eastern Tennessee as it is back in Wisconsin.  However as we gain altitude heading toward Newfound Gap, the trees do pick up some color.
The views are great from vistas along Newfound Gap Road high in the Smoky's.

Before exiting the Park, we take the beginning section of the Blue Ridge Parkway before ending up in Asheville, NC to visit some of Bev's family, a niece and a nephew, and their families.  Bev's nephew, Jeff, has a home with a brand new apartment with separate entrance intended for family and, perhaps, airBnB in the future.  We are the shakedown cruise.  So far everything is great.

Tomorrow and Sunday are with family.  Since this is a travel blog, I'm not sure how much content will be appropriate here until Monday.  Check back then.

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