We are enjoying our Summer in the mountains. Here at Moonshine Creek there is a lot to see and do in the area. Among other “perks,” being located 2 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and all that it has to offer ranks number 1. We have seen some great views, hiked to some beautiful places and enjoyed some delicious ice cream! Having a Walmart and Lowes close by is also a huge plus. We completed a project that was on our list for a while: replacing the old dark brown curtains that came with Old Glory.
Lowes just happened to have their curtain panels on sale this month! I purchased 4 large panels with a pattern that we liked and took them home to make them into RV curtains. The result was a much brighter feeling living space.
We finally made it to Oconoluftee Island Park in Cherokee, NC. We had attempted it on another day but we were rained out. We had a beautiful day to enjoy the park and island walking trails. Momma duck and her babies were enjoying a swim in the creek while we were there.
We have been back to Maggie Valley, NC many times since workamping here at Moonshine Creek. Maggie Valley has several excellent breakfast places, a delicious fudge/candy store and at least 2 great ice cream stores. We have also visited the Mountain Museum located in Maggie Valley.
The Mountain Museum in Maggie Valley has a lot of interesting mountain memorabilia. Lots of antiques were on display and typed stories accompanied many of the items. Here you can see anything from arrowheads to moonshine stills. There is a lot of civil war history here as well. Sons of North Carolina fought on both sides. This museum is free and there is a nice Ice Cream/Country Store right next door! We learned a lot about what mountain life was like through the years.
Aunt Karolyn and Uncle Jim visited us from Hickory, NC one day so we took a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We saw some beautiful views and hiked a little bit. The rain held off until we were nearing the top of Waterrock Knob hiking trail. Mark and I revisited the trail the next week and enjoyed a sunny hike to the top.
Blue Ridge Parkway 
Hiking to Waterrock Knob 
The rain did not stop us
The Cradle of Forestry is about an hours drive from Moonshine Creek. It is located in the Pisgah National Forest and is also near several other points of interest. We spent most of a day there hiking some trails and learning about the beginning of the Biltmore Forest School. We attempted to drive by Sliding Rock afterwards since it is only 4 miles further down the road. It started raining as we were driving and it didn’t let up so we decided to come back another day. We stopped by a ranger/visitor station and asked about a better route (less curves, hills and wider road) to take back to Moonshine Creek. We came back by way of Asheville and stopped by Trader Joes along the way.
Our time at Moonshine Creek is allowing us to really get to know the area. Next week I’ll tell you about Waynesville, NC and another breakfast spot. Soon I will update you on our workamping plans for this winter – they involve an Air Force Range, wild boar, white tailed deer, and maybe a gator?
You guys sure do look great. I backpacked on the North Carolina/Tennessee border on the AT many years ago. It was in the Cherokee National Forest. Mark, that picture of the sawmill brought back memories of hard labor. I work for one, sorting and stacking one summer. Hard, hard work. Also, while hiking in Virginia, I actually went by the remnants of an old still.
Ray
Thanks Ray! We came across the AT when hiking to Clingmans Dome yesterday. We took a minute to hike on it – not far but just so we could say we did it ????. The logging industry was not for sissies!! We read something yesterday that a bad logging partner could cost you your life. If these mountains could talk… so much history here from logging, railroading, grist mills, black smithing, farming! The mountain people were tough and resourceful. Too bad we are losing those characteristics these days ☹️