Day 2–Greenville SC trip (Sunday, April 22, 2013)

After breakfast at the hotel we headed for a day of exploring waterfalls.  The views from the car were spectacular.

We got on the Blue Ridge Parkway which is a very scenic highway through the mountains.  At first we were so excited to get out and take a look at all the overlooks until we realized they were about every half mile at which point we got a little pickier about where to stop.  Here is our rental Mazda 3 parked at one such overlook:

Our first waterfall was Woodfin Cascades.  No hiking involved but you don’t get very close.

And here is the view from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Woodfin Cascades.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the view from Fork Ridge Overlook:

And the view from Waterrock Knob Overlook where we did a little hiking:

Our next falls was Soco Falls which was quite an adventure.  It was rated at a 7 for strenuous but that probably didn’t include the second half of the climb down.  Someone had put up ropes to hang on to as you climbed down.

A trip through the mountains would not be complete without a few tunnels.  Here is the Bunches Bald Tunnel:

Here is Bunches Bald Overlook:

Last but not least, we stopped at Mingo Falls:

We then headed for lunch at Colima Mexican Restaurant in Sylva which was very good.  Then we underestimated the amount of time it takes to drive mountain roads as we rushed to make it in time for my Uncle’s church service and then dinner and great conversation.