Bryson City Get A Way

  A few hiker/biker buds decided after the spring GEt on Trail Spring hikes w/ Friends of the Smokies were over to head to Bryson City for an overnight trip   It is not a bad drive thru the park during the middle of the week.  We drove over 441 towards Cherokee and 3 of us decided right past Oconoluftee Visitor Center to drive up on Blue Ridge Parkway do bike 10-12 miles.   Yes it is hilly but OH so worth the climbs.   And during mid week there are not many cars at all on this gorgeous scenic parkway.   After a few hour bike we drove just a few more miles to Cherokee and had picnic lunch.  Then we met most of the rest of the group in Bryson City (10 miles from Cherokee) and biked on the Road to Nowhere.  If you park at the high school, it is only about 8 miles to the tunnel.  This is the tunnel that was going to lead to the long road across the mountains to Fontana area of the GSMNP.   It ended up being a road that would cost 10x the original price and also was going to damage the wildlife and waters around the area.  WE learned a lot about this where we stayed at the Historic Calhoun House.  Owner Luke helped work out a settlement for the county which has helped their economy while preserving the beauty of that area  After a nice dinner and hanging out at the Calhoun, we had a great breakfast then headed out the Lakeshore Drive (Rd to nowhere) again and this time hikes a few short loops close to the tunnel.  Goldmine loop then Noland Creek trails are nice hiking trails with lots of shade and pretty flowers.