Above: A black bear crosses the road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The morning was chilly as we drove at a leisurely pace along the deserted Blue Ridge Parkway to Waynesville, a charming town at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. With cloudlike mist curling out of the range’s deep valleys, we felt far removed from the troubles of the world. We pulled over at a scenic overlook to appreciate the hazy mountains and the bright pink and white seasonal flowers, but the fast-moving fog foiled our attempts at photography.

Join Andrew Harper today to continue reading our exclusive content.
Above: A black bear crosses the road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Read More from Our Trip:

Artisanal Products From North Carolina’s High Country Handcrafted North Carolina Pottery The Splendor of Fall Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville’s Crown Jewel: The Biltmore Estate