Our Favorite Places

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens. Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. Brown paper packages tied up with strings. These are a few of my favorite things.” * When we were creating this page, this song popped in my head. My Favorite Things is a song that can easily get stuck in one’s head. It does mine. But I digress…

In our traveling adventures (camping or otherwise), we have our favorite places. We tell everyone who will listen, or listen repeatedly, about certain areas we frequent. Our most favorite place is the Great Smoky Mountains on the North Carolina side; particularly the Blue Ridge Parkway. We love the twists and turns, tunnels, and especially the mountain view from the overlooks along the way.

Each overlook has a name and a number. The number represents the elevation. But there’s also a certain mile marker, from Virginia to North Carolina. Several years ago, we came across an overlook named, Bunches Bald Overlook. I wish I could tell you the story (and someday I’ll take the time to research it in depth), but our story goes like this: We were traveling along on one of our first trips along the BRP and suddenly saw that one. We literally turned around and went back to get a picture.

At the time, D.A. had just a bald spot on the back of his noggin’ and decided it would be funny to get a picture standing by the Bunches Bald sign. Just before I snapped the picture, he turned his back to me, exposing his bald spot! We had a good laugh about that. Now, here we are, more than twenty years later, and every time we drive through that mountain pass, we stop at Bunches Bald Overlook and take a picture of D.A.’s now bald head!

Bunches Bald Overlook also has a tunnel with the same name, as do many of the overlooks along that stretch of the BRP. They’re fun to drive through, and don’t forget to turn on your headlights. It’s also an unwritten rule that you honk the horn through the tunnel. No one knows why, unless you like hearing the echo. Just an fyi: If you’re on a motorcycle, or in a convertible with the top down, at the time a car or truck is passing and they honk their horn, it’s very loud.

On our 2025 Anniversary trip (not with a camper) it was a densely foggy drive through that pass. On many of the overlooks, we couldn’t see the mountains at all. It’s an eery feeling, driving along a twisty, misty, mountain road, with the mountain wall on one side, and a long drop-off on the other. One must pay close attention to the road on those days.

However, even though it was foggy, we still managed to stop to get several pictures and make it fun. Usually, Bunches Bald Overlook shows a beautiful Mountain View. There seems to be layers and layers of mountains, rolling on for miles. It’s one of the most beautiful views, especially in the fall, when all the colors are changing.

Between Gatlinburg, TN, and Maggie Valley, NC, there are many sites to see. Some of our favorite places are the Mingus Mill Grist Mill (which is now closed indefinitely). Although it’s closed, there is a beautiful path to the mill, with a stream that runs directly to the mill. It was once a productive, working grist mill, run strictly by the water which was directed to the mill. It closed due to structural issues.

From Mingus Mill, there is the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, one of my most favorite stops. Inside they have a lot of information on the surrounding area, along with informative books by locals, apparel, gifts, CDs, DVDs, and jams and other goods.

Behind the visitor center is an historic village, which was moved there to preserve the buildings. Throughout the spring and summer they have presentations and activities for children and adults. They sometimes have small concerts, as well as projects. The visitor center is also a good place to stop to rest and refresh, as well as watch for Elk which often gather in the field next to the visitor center.

Not far from there, you can go into Cherokee, NC, or turn onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. That’s where we usually turn and go over the mountain toward Maggie Valley. Whichever way you want to go, you will definitely see some beautiful sights!

And as we go, we will post more about some of our favorite places.

Until next time, travel light, have fun, and drive friendly!