Roadtrip back to Minnesota May 8-12, 2021

Delays due to car problems lead to a late departure. The ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) on my Porsche Cayenne failed just days before we were to leave. We hung around for a week waiting for a part that never came and finally left on May 8th without benefit of any cruise control. First stop was in Brunswick GE where we cruised the historic downtown with the old courthouse and city hall.

Next leg was to Winston-Salem NC, where we planned to visit and hike a couple of state parks. But first we decided to make a brief stop at Morrow Mountain State Park along the way for some scenic viewing and a brief hike.

Morrow Mountain State Park

Hanging Rock State Park

After overnighting in Winston-Salem we headed off to Hanging Rock State Park, where we intended to hike to up the trail to the overlook. Part of the Sauratown Mountains, they are separated from the nearby Blue Ridge Mtns. Peaks rise to more than 2500 feet in elevation and stand in bold contrast to the surrounding countryside that averages 800 feet. It was a strenuous 2 mile hike up in muggy weather, But the view was spectacular and the wild flowers were in full bloom. Well worth the effort. After that hike and a brief rest we hiked a short distance to a small mountain lake and then another longer hike to a waterfall.

Never tire of waterfalls!

Pilot Mountain State Park NC is 2nd stop of the day

2nd stop Monday May 10th was Pilot Mountain State Park, NC. The iconic geologic knob once was a navigational beacon to the Sakura tribe. From the park’s summit drive viewing area you can view the big pinnacle as well as panoramic views of the Piedmont and the skyline of Winston- Salem to the south and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the north. To the East you see the Sauratown mountains including Hanging Rock St. Park-behind the pinnacle. Dynamic views!

After overnight in Wytheville VA, the next day we headed into West Virginia to visit a new National Park - New River Gorge. We had been there a few years ago and were interested in seeing what was new. We tried a few roads and stops we had missed before. A very nice park. From there it was 1200 miles and 2 long days of driving.