After Janis’ great month, we decided to take a day off and catch the last of the fall colors in the NC mountains. This time, we would check out the western end of the Blue Ridge Parkway – that is, the stretch from Cherokee to Asheville. After checking out the Maggie Valley area and a quick lunch in the shadows of the Cherokee Casino, we hopped on the Parkway. The colors weren’t so good at the higher elevations, but the views and weather were great!

Closer to Asheville, we stopped and hiked up to Black Balsam Knob. This grassy 6000’+ summit provides breathtaking panoramic views. We closed the day out with dinner in Asheville and some people watching with Halloween in full force.[view-the-gallery galleryaddress=”FallGetaway”]