Blue Ridge Mountains

The Blue Ridge Mountains along the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway looked like the Smoky Mountains when I was there. I stayed in Asheville and explored the mountains surrounding the area.

The best part of this trip was mountain biking in Dupont State Park. I took a class with REI, where learned the techniques and how to handle the bike on the trails. REI classes always seem to fill up quickly in Chicago, so taking classes on vacation was a great alternative. And mountain biking in the Midwest wouldn’t be the same.

I am a slow hiker because I need to stop to take photos so often, and I will wait for others on the trail to get out of the way. Which is a very real need in the fall in Blue Ridge. But worth it for the fall color. Just be prepared to see nothing in the morning until the fog is burned off.