More of the Parkway trip

 Just have been editing more of the photos...I think we're down to just 55. I'll cull the ones that all look at the same feature, and wish I had a good way to decide which one is the best choice. I'll just close my eyes...nah, that wouldn't quite work!

There indeed were no more turnoffs on the way to Mt. Mitchell, which is a NC State Park, the highest mountain east of the Mississippi.

Fortunately we could slowly drive while I put my window down and caught these views of Burnett Reservoir. They really need to have an overlook here, but they say this is part of the Asheville Watershed, which means any oils etc will slowly wash down into the reservoir. Thus no overlooks provided.

You'll notice we were beginning to get fir trees (evergreens) interspersed with the deciduous trees, which are not giving great colors even at high elevations. I decided this is a golden autumn.

Just look at the tree dispersal on that hill just past the entrance to the state park. And right around that corner the Parkway has a huge fence stopping further travel.

We climbed the mountain in the car, and noticed once again there were some clouds toying with the highest areas.

The State Park welcome center was closed, but had some maps posted.

In the past I've hiked the Balsam Nature Trail (before it had the little educational signs installed.) I found a spring off the trail a ways...which was nice, that it was putting out fresh water at 6500 feet above sea level. Never could figure out how that's done.

I wasn't able to find where Stepp's Gap was...probably past the closed part of the Parkway. But Jesse Stepp also lived in Black Mountain, so his family is spoken of in various historical contexts around here.

We persevered, arrived at the parking lot which was really full at the top of Mt. Mitchell. And there were clouds. Even if anyone had been interested in walking the final 400 yards up the rest of the way to the lookout platform, what would have been the point.

Our destination had one thing in it's favor. The Septic tank was being serviced. Of course not such that we could use the rest room, but at least someone soon might. The various snack bar and information places were also locked up tight.

As we drove back down the mountain, we could see more mud slides with scars on the sides of the mountains.

Sorry, a bit too much saturation here...but it also shows that the shoulder was still under construction for part of the way.

OK, there are just a few more I want to share with you...

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Last Saturday on Substack I received this post...  "Your Body is an Ancestor" by Sophie Strand from Make Me Good Soil. <sophiestrand@substack.com>

 It's really an excellent short read, if you wish to pull it up...or subscribe to.