Getting away from it all. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . and what could be better than a road trip, a mystery trip!

Pack a bag for a couple of nights, secure the cottage, jump in the car and

head west (or east, even south or north), and discover new places one

has missed before. No time constraints, no deadlines, no reservations, just an old

fashioned road trip. . . . . . . drive on, stop when you want to admire a view, watch

a waterfall tumble from high above, listen to a mountain stream make music

 trickling over its rocky granite bed as a whistling hawk circles overhead.

Spectacular places within a day's driving distance of home, even more beautiful
 than expected. June weather was perfect, cooler in the western part of the state
 than here. Warm, sunny, with amazing cloud formations and just two light five
 minute showers to rinse and freshen the greenery. . . . . . . . . and native
 rhododendrons bursting into bloom along the mountain roads then nosediving
 en masse to the valley floors far below.

Bridal Veil Falls, Nantahala National Forest, Highlands, North Carolina

A road trip can take you to places you will never see up close any other way.

There are 100 counties in North Carolina and we have now visited every one.

We drove almost 900 miles over the weekend. . . . . . .it was really lovely viewing 

our beautiful state dressed for Spring.

How do you feel about getting out on the open road?  

Do you enjoy 'getting away from it all' and seeing the countryside in your

close to home area?