With no big plan in sight yet, we made a small plan: head a few hours southwest to the Pisgah National Forest. We took the long way around the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Curtis Creek Campground. We were hoping to snag a spot out of the official campground (close spots on a paved circle), but it was not to be. They were really only for tent camping and the parking did not allow space for our size. So we picked a spot that had a some shade and a trail that led right down to Curtis Creek.
We relaxed with our feet in the creek, listening to the burbling water and watching the sun play on the water.
The next day we ascended Curtis Creek Road to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We gained about 5000 feet in elevation and it was a lovely change. Our camping spot was pretty warm and humid, although it cooled off nicely at night. Up on the parkway, the air was drier and we were suddenly surrounded by different trees and vegetation.
We drove west and got as far as Mount Mitchell State park, after which the parkway was closed. All of my planned hikes were further down the parkway, so we meandered up to Mount Mitchell to try to get some cell signal to check out our options. Mike was not feeling great due to kidney issues, so I decided to stick close while he chilled in the car.
I enjoyed a lovely, but difficult hike down from Mount Mitchell. I have never been in a place that smelled so much of balsam firs. It just smelled like a Christmas candle! I made my way down a very bumpy and slick trail, trying to enjoy some of the scenery while not tripping any time I looked up. I saw bear poop and found some delicious raspberries to eat and bring back to Mike.
Since our hiking up near the parkway was kind of shot, we headed back down to the campsite and creek. More creek time after moving Scarlet to a different site as the reservation postings were not super up-to-date.
The next day we did a little exploring near the campground. We took the Hickory Branch Trail that followed the Creek of its name. Lots of lovely, burbling water and when the trail started to climb, Mike held back to go easy on his body while I followed the trail. I sweat a ton, enjoyed a few views of the surrounding mountains, and then coasted back down to Mike.
A little more creek time and while we were at the campsite, we goosenecked a little to check out a rooftop tent that had a basement perched on one of the new super-expensive Jeep pick-ups as well as the parking of a long fifth-wheel in a short site (but he made it work!).