Here at the Rock.

Sorry for the distraction, a good moonshine story does that to me.
Were was I? Oh yeah. 

We left Dillsboro and headed to Franklin, North Carolina. It was the last stop on our way to Highland and our hotel room for at least the first couple of nights of our seven day Appalachian tour. It would be our home base.
We drove through the most beautiful country heading down 23/441 with only a single little community in between called Gay. The mountains were cloudy from the morning rain and we were both so excited to be staying in the mountains for a couple of days. It invoked memories of when we lived in Knoxville and would get the occasional feeling and realization that we haven't walked on anything that wasn't paved in awhile so, back then, we we would head to the hills. The Sugarland Visitor Center, to be exact, in Great Smoky Mountains National Park was our refuge back then. Just about an hour drive from Knoxville and we would be surrounded by nature. Cold mountain water rushing over smooth rocks, and quite nature. Oh there was the sound of the creek, birds, bugs, and a little wind, but it was quite and heavenly compared to the city soundtrack that played in our ears at home. It calmed our souls just long enough to go back home and get back on track for a little while more.

The Piedmont of North Carolina is our current starting point and close enough to get to the mountains occasionally, but not in an hour, and not to the Smokies, but I digress.

Our plan was to scope out Franklin and develop a plan of attack for the next day. We did just that and stopped at a Cuban restaurant to relax and lay out our plan. Yes a Cuban Restaurant in Franklin, North Carolina. It is now our favorite Cuban Restaurant in the World! Havana BistroAfter a quick tour of the Ruby City we were on our way to Highland and our hotel.
The road to Highland from Franklin is about seventeen miles and looks like you could get there in ten minutes on the map. The first six or seven miles is winding and pretty, but then you get into a steep nine mile uphill climb over the mountain. I was driving and must admit it was difficult not looking over the cliffs to see the wonderful views. Unbelievable beauty. Jan on the other hand was wondering when we were going to die. She is from the hills of Southwestern Virginia, learned to drive on mountainous coal truck roads, and has ridden with me on many a curvy road, so when I say this one is fraught with both beauty and terror, believe it. The pouring rains from hurricane Gustov didn't help.
We eventually made it to Highland and our safe dry hotel room and it took just slightly longer than the ten minutes I had estimated. (pause for effect) It took forty five.



Franklin boasts of four museums downtown. We made it to three (Check out their webcam of downtown LIVE RIGHT NOW)
They are
Franklin Gem & Mineral Museum  Awesome.
Ruby City Jan bought some rocks here and she seemed to like it. I strolled around and found the free museum downstairs interesting.
The Scottish Tartan Museum I searched for my Tartan and was told the McCoigs were part of Clan MacFee, however after reading about this on the internet (which is infallible, ha ha) There seems to be some dispute as to which group I belong. 

HHmmm 

I lost my Tartan.
We did not get by the Macon County Historical Society and Museum
I am sure it is a fine museum as well.

We also saw several gem Mines on the side of the road on the way in and Janet had narrowed it down to the one she wanted to visit up on the mountain called Gold City Gem Mine . We put it on the list. We did get back there the next day, in the rain, and the mud, and did I mention the rain. We panned for minerals, rocks, gold etc. They advertised

Gem Mine - General Store - Jewelry Store - Gold Panning - Rock Tumblers - Brazillian Agate and More Coming Soon !!!!!

Did I mention the rain?