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Published: October 6th 2008
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Another fine day and the prospect was for an 80deg high so its back to shorts and tee shirt.Our stay at the Hojo was a comfortable one and theirs was the biggest breakfast room we have encountered.The hot breakfast turned out to be cold eggs(not sure if they were supposed to be like that)and "biscuits"and gravy....we must be getting further south !!!The sight of this delicacy is almost as endearing as a Japanese breakfast !!
Gretchen had planned the route back to the parkway and we were there quickly along the interstate.
First viewpoint was up the 4 mile Roanoake mountain,a one way road which was certainly narrow but not overly steep.The view was nice with the smoky effect apparent in the mid morning air on the hills in the distance.
The road aws as quit as the previous few days and the most important thing to look out for were the deer that just cross the road ahead even if there is traffic around.There were a number of squirrels on the road that didnt make the other side as we travelled on.
We decided not to do any long walks today as we had a fair distance to travel so
instead enjoyed the views and the drive.
We reached what is probably the most photographed site just before lunch,Mabry Mill.There we found we werent the only car on the parkway!!We managed to find a park without having to go to the overfill park and took a stroll around the mill buildings where rangers were doing various things like making a chair from local wood,a blacksmith and dying wool using local walnuts.The mill itself is very photographic and of course everyone wants to get in front of it to get the photo so one has to queue up to get the shot.
As there was no apparent picnic tables we motored on and found a picnic area for lunch.Unfortunately we werent like the two tables nearby where the people had even brought tablecloths to place over the table before eating !!!!
After lunch it was back on the road and shortly thereafter we came upon the Country Music Centre.We were just in time to get free tickets for a concert being given by 3 local guitarists in a theatre attached to the centre.What a treat and our timing ws ideal.Before the show started we joined in with some foot stomping as
young and old pickers and fiddlers each jammed to keep the people waiting for the show entertained.
The show itself was entertaining with the 3 each taking the stage separately and giving their hostory of how they got into the bluegrass music and also some highlights of their playing in the USA and around the world.They werent names we had ever heard of but they were very good at their instrument and we were so pleased to have passed by just at the right time.
The stop had taken us some so we headed off the parkway trying to find the most direct route to Bristol,TN which we had decided on for the overnight stay.Whilst the roads on paper looked straight forward it didnt turn out that way and we didnt arrive in Britol until around 7pm and stopped in to a rather deserted DaysInn.
We decided to dine ou and headed into own only to find everything closed up so we headed back to see if we could find a restaurant close to the interstate which is usually easy.
Here is where disaster nearly struck !!We came onto the Interstate to get back to our motel and it was
only a short distance o the off ramp we needed.There were two ramps in quick succession the first on and the second off which I headed for.The car coming on sped up making me brake and swerve not realising that a truck was on my outside.Horns blared and thankfully there was no accident.I am not sure Gretchen will drive with me again today!!!!
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