The Mountains Are Calling

View from the Pisgah Inn on a foggy morning.

"The mountains are calling and I must go." While John Muir penned these words to express his responsibility to environmentalism, they have a different meaning for me. I woke up early one morning back in June, and I knew I had to escape to the mountains. I had been eager to visit Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway and decided this was the time to make a reservation. With a perch at a 5000 foot elevation on Mt. Pisgah, the Pisgah Inn boasts some of the most awe-inspiring views to be found anywhere. When making my reservations the desk clerk I spoke with assured me, "Every room here has a fantastic view!"

After a drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway I found my destination high in the clouds. The original Pisgah Inn was constructed in 1918; even back then, it was a popular area for those wishing to escape the summer heat and humidity. The current Inn was constructed in 1964, and was recently updated with new furnishings. It was meticulously clean, but their Covid 19 policy promised: No one will enter your room to clean until you have checked out. Dinner reservations could be made for your choice of three sittings in the dining room, and you ordered your complimentary continental breakfast the night before and it was delivered to your room the next morning. For dinner at the Inn, I enjoyed the Tuscan Meat Loaf, which was delicious; breakfast consisted of your choice of pastries, cereals, fruits, and yogurt, with a variety of  beverages available. There are snacks and drinks for grab and go in The Grazing Deer Cafe, and the gift shop off the main lobby is filled with locally handcrafted items. My stay at Pisgah Inn was everything I had hoped it would be and I can't wait to go back!

Scene from a mountain country drive!

Many of the little towns up in this neck of the woods are interesting to poke around: Little Switzerland, where you will find, among other establishments, The Switzerland Cafe and the Little Switzerland Books and Beans, a great little book store/coffee shop. Another quaint town within easy driving distance is Hot Springs; here you can walk the Appalachain Trail by walking down Bridge Street, the town's main drag. Stop by Spring Creek Tavern and Inn for a great meal you can enjoy on a deck right over Spring Creek.

See that barn quilt?!

A short ride down any country road in the mountains and you'll find breathtaking scenery at every turn. If you're a barn quilt trail follower like I am, keep your eyes open and you'll spot the colorful quilt squares throughout the countryside. Many mountain towns display not only quilt squares but also showcase the work of local artists in the form of murals and large paintings on downtown buildings. You'll find lots of restaurants and shops that will indulge your interest in local lore. 

Whether for a couple of days or an extended stay, you can't find a better place to relax and forget your troubles than the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

https://www.pisgahinn.com/
https://www.hotspringsnc.org/
https://www.visitlittleswitzerland.com/
https://www.carolinacountry.com/carolina-adventures/travel-guide/2019-travel-guide/explore-nc-s-barn-quilt-trail