33rd Day - 15th March 2022

I wake up completely relaxed. The seclusion here is simply wonderful. I haven't heard any noise at all and it's dead quiet now too. You could really stay here longer. There's no breakfast, but the rest is great. The shower works really well too and at 9:00 a.m. I head to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Or rather to the entrance point that is open.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a road closed to commercial cars that connects the Smoky Mountains National Park and the Shenendoah National Park over a distance of 700 miles. In winter, many sections are closed and roads need to be maintained and repaired. This mainly affects the southern part. That's why I first drive overland and also on the interstate, which offers great views here too.

After 60 miles, I then turn onto the Parkway and immediately enjoy this quiet and relaxed route. Everything here is very cozy. The maximum speed is 45 miles/hour and often only 35. No one is pushing, everyone is driving very moderately, and there are also few cars on the road. Particularly spectacular are the numerous outlooks along the route. I definitely stop 15 times today and enjoy the view of this landscape with forest stretching to the horizon.

Of course, it's even more spectacular in the summer when all the trees are green and nature has fully unfolded. But then it will get really crowded here. So I enjoy the peace and quiet and accept the current condition. For me, it is no less impressive. Driving the route is almost meditative. You let your thoughts wander and enjoy the constant views. You drive through no town or settlement and can totally relax while driving.

My goal for today is Boone in North Carolina. Since some sections are closed again before reaching this place, I turn back onto the normal road about 60 miles earlier. In contrast to the Parkway, this road winds up the mountains on serpentine roads and then leads back down into the valley. Unfortunately, one road is closed, which Google Maps didn't inform me about. I have to turn around and go around. In doing so, I come across one of my favorite roads again: Rough Road. And I turn around. I'd rather take a bigger detour. I just don't like these gravel roads.

After a considerable detour on larger roads and the interstate, I arrive in Little Switzerland. This ultra-small place actually reminds me a little of Switzerland, but everything is still closed here. Except for the post office, which actually exists for the few residents. There is Downtown Little Switzerland on Wikipedia. Those are three stores.

From here, I can get back on the Parkway and continue the rest of the way to Boone. When I arrive, I am warmly greeted at the Comfort Inn, and the hotel is the most beautiful one after the plant orgy in Oklahoma City. Including an open fireplace in the grand lobby and an indoor swimming pool which I don't use.

In the evening, I decide to get sushi again, or rather sashimi - and I'm surprised with a huge portion. The place where I pick it up is filled to the brim. There are lots of young people here. Boone is a college town and that's probably the reason for the opulent portion. While waiting, I notice that hardly anyone gives a tip here. At least not for takeout. Very unusual. I'll just go against the grain.