Aug 5 2012: Asheville NC; Bear Creek Campground; White Trolley Tour

Smoky Mountains

We woke to a pleasant Sunday morning with temperatures in the mid 70s and a mist over the Smokey Mountains. We boarded the White Trolley Line for two-hour tour of historic areas of Asheville, which included Montford, Haywood Park, Pack Square, Biltmore Village, River Arts, Grove Park and downtown Asheville. This was a good way to get an overview of the area and see where we wanted to re-visit. Our tour escort, John Paul, recommended Luella's BBQ and after lunching there, we also recommend. After lunch we returned to Grove Park Inn, which was modeled after the grand railway hotels of the Old West, the Inn was built by a crew of 400 men in less than 12 months, dragging hundreds of tons of boulders up the mountainside with mules, wagons, ropes and pulleys, and a lone steam shovel. We then went to Grovewood where we spent time in the Estes-Winn Automobile Museum and artist's galleries. Some incredible sculptures are displayed in the outdoor areas. Returning back to camp we traveled some of the surrounding neighborhoods and ooo'd and aaaa'd at the homes and their views of the mountains.