Dobson to Asheville

From the valley to the mountains to the valley...or in other words from warm to cold to warm weather is a good description of today's drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  We had the most gorgeous MG top-down driving weather with perfect temperatures as we went up and down the mountains.  We pulled out and put on our club sweatshirts, our ear muffs, gloves, and more jackets as we climbed the mountains and even drove to the summit of Mount Mitchell.  As we came down into the valley of Blowing Rock for lunch and into Asheville for the hotel and dinner, we peeled off the layers and were once again back in our shirt sleeves.  Words for today are brisk, refreshing, bright, and beautiful.

We left the hotel in Dobson at 8:30am and traveled to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Our first photo op of the day was an overlook.  I took the next picture from my side mirror to capture those on the tour following behind.  And then there was another overlook and we lined the cars up for another photo op.  We did that a number of times as we headed to Blowing Rock for lunch.

LUNCH IN BLOWING ROCK

Look at the group outside the Foggy Rock restaurant in Blowing Rock - all British car owners.  The Catawba Valley British Motor Club hosted the luncheon.  Thanks to Bobby Cox, club president, and all the club members for making us so welcome.

That's our tour banner behind us while we had lunch.  Pictured: Peter, Trip, Georgia, Ron, Pat, Terry.

Kathy Ahrendt of Catawba Valley club presented each of us with a goodie bag - loved it! (Photo by Dick)

 
Then we went to visit Jack Austin's 5,000 sq ft facility in the very back woods off a single lane gravel road.  Here we are as we come down the road to park.  We thought for sure that if Jack got us deep enough into the woods, that he could take our MG's to add to his collection!

One of the cars to be restored???  One day this too may be a drivable beauty.

We continued our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Asheville.  I took this picture while standing in my seat when we were stopped waiting for one-way traffic due to road construction.  Some of the Catawba Valley club members joined us for part of our trip from Blowing Rock.








Here we are at the summit of Mount Mitchell - the highest elevation in Eastern United States at 6,684 ft.  The drive up here was cold but it was rather calm (not windy) at the top.  Stopped for another photo op.

Pat and Ron at Mount Mitchell State Park

After our photo op, we made a temporary fix to Dick's MGB cooling system so that he could drive to the hotel.  The fix worked well!  And when I say that WE made the fix, I mean it.  We all supplied some part for the fix - from a clamp, to the correct tools to use, a bottle to get water, a funnel to pour the antifreeze, a plug - and the idea how to do the repair.


We finally made it to the hotel south of Asheville.  We checked in and immediately went to dinner at Pack's Tavern in downtown Asheville.  The dinner was arranged by the British Car Club of Western North Carolina.  Many thanks to George and the members of the club that joined us.  We enjoyed our dinner and drinks!

Dick's suitcase and the many stickers he collected along the way (photo by Dick)

STATS:  Drove 236 miles Day #2
SPECIAL THANKS TO:   Catawba Valley British Motor Club for lunchtime fun (goody bag with "MG" cookies, candy and toy) and garage visit in Blowing Rock and to the British Car Club of Western North Carolina for dinner arrangements.