Start of the trip back
It was tough to leave the beautiful Outer Banks and the kids and grandkids, but we had to head back sooner or later. We headed east through the middle of North Carolina and didn't get too far the first day. We were exhausted from all the fun we were having so we stayed in a motel for some r&r. The next day we visited Old Salem, the original Moravian Settlement in Salem, NC. We were compelled to do see specifically to see the "Vierling House", since Vierling is Lorri's maiden name. Unfortunately, we couldn't prove hereditary rights, so we took a couple photos and moved on toward Ashville, NC.
Old Salem
We spent the 4th of July driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway and into the Great Smokey Mountains National park, where we camped for the night. No fireworks but a beautiful drive.
The Smokies and AT
On the left is Lorri in front of a sign marking the highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway; next is our camp spot at Smokemont in the Smokies. Next is me next to a sign announcing the Appalachian Trail and then on the right is me on said trail. I've always wanted to hike the AT. That day we did about two miles. Another 2,000 or so more miles and I'll be done with it.
Good Camping Spot
AT Edgar Evins State Park in Tennessee, each site is built on a deck extending out over a hillside from a paved drive. There are four or five tiers of these things overlooking a lake, the view of which is mostly obscured by the big ole trees. Here is a photo of our "deck".