August 19-21, 2022
Our “Weekender” Driving Tour was to Banner Elk this year, to stay at the “historic” Best Western Mountain Lodge, see the mountains, drive through the mountains, and hike on the mountains. We met up Friday at our favorite I-81 rest stop, handled the paperwork, got banded, then went on our way. Twenty cars participated, with about 40 folks total. First stop was Sycamore Shoals State Park in Elizabethton, TN, for a pic-a-nic lunch and socializing. After that we hit the road toward Banner Elk via many nice mountain roads.
After checking in and chilling out, we met for a social hour and buffet dinner at the hotel. Many new faces on this trip, so we got to chat them up. Saturday morning, a dozen intrepid adventurers headed to Emerald Outback, a local hiking and mountain bike park. We did about 4.5 miles under three hours and saw some amazing views of the mountains and valleys. After that back to the hotel, and some hikers even made the afternoon driving tour. That evening we dined “on our own”, but about half the group took over Bella’s Restaurant for some fine Italian cuisine.
Sunday saw some “deadheading” it home, others reconned a pending driving tour, and the rest went with the leaders on a fun drive to Asheville via the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Devil’s Whip, and the Diamondback. Stops included the Museum Of North Carolina Minerals, Mt. Mitchell State Park, and the Folk Art Center. All in all, a great weekend, good weather, and good people!
