Fall Drive On The Blue Ridge Parkway - Asheville to Cherokee

We took a Fall trip on October 9th, 2022, to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We did the high elevation section from Asheville, to the end of the Parkway at Cherokee.
Along the way, we saw many areas with spectacular Fall color. We stopped at Pisgah Inn, Graveyard Fields, Devil's Courthouse, Cowee Mountain, Richland Balsam, Waterrock Knob, and several other overlooks
The music clip in this video, is "There Is A Fountain", from the "Smoky Mountains Hymns" CD, produced by Brentwood Music.

[@sabinarunka1457]

Beautiful Lady 💐💐💐💐🍂🍁🍂🍁🍮🙋

[@Momtocam1997]

Counting down the days till we leave for Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge…praying for good weather…

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Hope you have great weather the entire time. I am looking forward to hearing about your trip.

[@dandtintennessee7675]

Looks like a beautiful trip. We stayed in Asheville at Campfire Lodgings a couple years back in December. Wow it was amazing.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Well have to look that place up. Sounds very nice.

[@marmeedoll]

I drove a taxi in Asheville in the mid point of the last century, was claimed by a mountain girl who lived not far from Cowee Mtn, up in the Balsams. We courted up there and on Water Rock Knob, before the visitor center and all the tourists. It was empty up there. She wanted to go on a ledge. I said no that I could not defend her from a bear. Coward. She married me anyway. Married for 60 plus years until I had to lay her to her rest up high. She actually owned part of a mountain near the continental divided. What a girl! Beautiful, fantastically smart. She could do anything she set her mind to. Raise daughters: author, business owner, writer, mother, lover, designer. Graduated from a tiny mtn school. Fearsome smart, much better that my private schooling. When her time came, it did not take me long to know how much I missed her. What a creature! One of the Lord's best efforts. Hope I am allowed to see her again.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you for sharing your story. Very sorry to hear of your loss, but glad you have those wonderful memories. One of things we are so thankful for, is the promise of eternal life, which comes by placing one's faith in Jesus Christ, and His sacrifice for our sins. By trusting in Him, that is how we can have the hope of reuniting with our loved ones who also trusted in Christ. Since my wife lost her mother last year, that promise has become very important to us.

[@tracker5849]

So very sorry for the loss of your love. I'm so happy you had those years together and now have all the memories.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Fun! That was interesting about big snow storm in 1992 at pisgah inn

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, I remember when it happened. Even Maggie Valley got about 15". That's very late in the year for a snowfall like that. I did have to go back and correct the year after I looked it up, because I said 1991. It was 1992.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Well you were close in the year! Yeah, I use to stay stocked up when I lived close in the park because you never know! I did see , this time of year, a snow where my zinnias and dahlias etc were still blooming (no frost yet) and fall leaves turning and a snow. That was unusual (as I was told by locals) and beautiful. Not nearly as much snow as the storm you are speaking of though! That’s good information. I always keep jacket (layering gear) and use to keep a blanket in truck. It can turn fast from mountain or town to another. Especially clingmans dome! So glad you had a nice day!

[@ritalockett9788]

Y’all will have to start off on some easy hikes so you don’t tire out Flat Stanley. Everything is starting to look beautiful.I bet Flat Stanley is really enjoying this drive, I know I am.

[@christineprice5463]

I really enjoy the Blue Ridge Parkway. We go for a week every year. I could not miss that time in the mountains. The Pisgah Inn is booked about 2 years in advance.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We've stayed at The Pisgah Inn twice, but it's been a long time. Would love to go back.

[@dianapearson1771]

Thank you so much!!!!!!!

[@lifeasitis2020]

This video is perfection! Heading this weekend over there for the first time, and in the whole you tube my husband and I could not find a you tuber, that could say what exactly date they were visiting, tou gave the month and day of fall you visited that's important, and also gave us a very informative tour. This was so much helpful! Thanks new suscriber!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so very much for watching, and for your kind words. And yes, it is very important to give the dates, because what so many don't know, is that the colors peak high up first, and gradually make their way down into the valleys. That means that throughout the month of October, there is usually peak color somewhere in these mountains. We are so blessed to have an extended Fall season here. I'm so glad that you found it informative. Like you, I have also been frustrated in the past, by other KZbinrs who don't post the date, so that you can know when they were there, and what to expect around that time. That's one of the reasons that I try to include that bit of information. So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for watching!

[@lifeasitis2020]

@NCMemoryMakers you said it clear! That's exactly right! It would be frustrated tp go to visit a place, thinking we will find the exactly colors, animals etc.. as in videos while probably the time the person went was a different month so you will be surprised find out a whole different panorama lol, but dates help you to get an idea of what with more probabilities you will find at that season. Thanks so much again, you both are so much fun to watch! Keep it up... now we are watching and liked other videos as yesterday we found your channel

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@lifeasitis2020 We really appreciate your kind words, and you watching our videos.

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

I consider myself in good shape. I hiked waterrock nob in September 2022. I thought I was going to die!😂 thanks for the video.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

It was very steep, and it seemed like it was a lot longer than half a mile to me.

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

@@NCMemoryMakers yes, it was the longest half mile I’ve ever walked.😂

[@marmeedoll]

Courted her up there, waterrock. She was a mountain girl from a small village deep in the Balsams. She knew the back roads. Married her more than 60 years ago. Had to lay her ashes up there last year on a normal Smoky Mountain day driving through the clouds and mists. Knew she needed to be home. Bless you, girl.

[@Nerryrus]

Such a great trip. Thank you for giving me an idea of what to expect on my trip this coming weekend. I will be driving from Cherokee to Asheville, and hopefully, the fall colors will be in full bloom!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

There will be areas that were still green last weekend, that should be nice color this weekend. Some of the higher elevation areas will be past peak, but you should still see some.

[@Nerryrus]

@@NCMemoryMakers Thank you. I will be driving from Georgia to Cherokee, and I am still contemplating what would be the better route for fall colors. Should I drive from Cherokee to Ashville (via Blue Ridge Parkway) or go straight from Cherokee to Smokies up to Gatlinburg (via US 441)? Which way would be a better route for fall colors this coming weekend?

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@@Nerryrus Either one of those would be good, because they both take in some low elevations, middle elevations, and then high elevations where the color will be past. You are going to drive through some good color either one of those. We especially love the drive from Cherokee to Gatlinburg, through the National Park. That's a distance of about 33 miles. If you take the Parkway from Cherokee to Asheville, it's about 85 miles. Both roads will take you over 5,000' in elevation. But the Blue Ridge Parkway is very nice, as well. I'm assuming if you are coming up from Georgia into Cherokee, that you are coming up 441 through Clayton and Dillard? I would imagine that area is turning some nice color by now. If you do decide to go through the National Park across to Gatlinburg, you can turn left at the Visitor Center right before you get into Gatlinburg, and drive Little River Road towards Cades Cove. That is often a very beautiful drive in the fall, as well. And out of Gatlinburg, you can drive Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. Those are excellent Fall drives.

[@Nerryrus]

@@NCMemoryMakers Thank you for all the info and tips! Maybe I will decide where to go perhaps the day before the trip. Either way will be a good drive for fall colors :) Yeah, I am driving through Clayton and Dillard, coming from Athens. I am planning to visit the North Georgia mountains by next weekend. I expect they already have beautiful colors up there. Here in Athens, Fall colors are already here though most are still green. Btw, a new subscriber here! Your videos are relaxing! Thank you for sharing your adventures!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@@Nerryrus Thank you so much for watching, and glad you enjoy our channel.

[@chriscourson2824]

very nice! I have always wanted to visit Biltmore in the Holidays!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We were actually going to do that the year before last, but I made the mistake of waiting until October, trying to get tickets for Christmas. I never could even get through to anyone, and it took them weeks to even answer my email as to why I couldn't get through.

[@smokymountainman4964]

I really enjoyed this drive with y'all. Absolutely beautiful! Thanks for taking us along. We usually go to the smokies on thevTN side and not to much in NC except for Boone area to go to Samaritan's Purse, and Asheville Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove. We have not been on the Blue Ridge Parkway in thst section so I really enjoyed the ride and the views. The PISGAH INN looks like a really great place to stay. It looks like a beautiful and relaxing place to stay. Thanks for an informative and beautiful video.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Thank you so much for watching. We actually live right down the mountain from Boone, about 45 minutes from there.

[@lisarowland2054]

We really like your KZbin channel. We have only been watching it for a couple weeks, but have enjoyed all your reviews and especially your trips in the Great Smoky Mountains! We are planning a trip this fall driving down the skyline drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway for our fortieth anniversary. We will be tent camping and because of your camping trip video in Cades Cove campground we want to camp there as well. Of course we want to go when there will be the best fall foliage and would appreciate your expert advice on when to plan our trip. Thank you in advance!

[@NCMemoryMakers]

The times of fall foliage vary in the mountains, depending on your elevation. The leaves always start turning in the high elevations first, and then work their way down the mountain into the valleys. If you take your drive about the 3rd weekend in October, you will see some spectacular color in some areas of the Parkway. There may be other areas that haven't quiet peaked, and maybe some that already have. But that's the weekend I would shoot for. In Cades Cove, the peak colors usually happen about the 3rd-4th weekend. Just be sure to check out a fall color forecast, which determines if the color is early or late. This past year, the colors were early. They were late the previous year. But again, the 3rd weekend in October is going to give you some good color somewhere.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

And thank you so much for watching, and for letting us know you enjoy our channel.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

One more thing…you will want to book your campsite in Cades Cove campground as early as you possibly can. They release the reservations month by month. I think right now, you can reserve through July. Next month, they will release August. And the month after that, they will release September. I would start checking an April, to see if they have released reservations for October. I can imagine the campground will be quite full that time of year.

[@lisarowland2054]

Thank you Derrick & Shawnisy,(sorry if I spelled your name wrong) we knew you would be able to help us! While we are in your area we would like to attend your church for a service. Could you please give us the churches name & address. My husband is a pastor in Ohio & we have so enjoyed how you share your faith on KZbin. It is so refreshing to see you pray before your meals etc.

[@NCMemoryMakers]

@@lisarowland2054 Certainly! We would love to have you! Our church is Shining Light Baptist Church, and our pastor is Danny Castle. You can find lots of his messages on KZbin. The church address is: 3682 Tom Deal Avenue Valdese, NC

[@tracker5849]

Only the second flat stanley ive seen. The first at our park in florida long ago

[@NCMemoryMakers]

Yes, some friends of ours in California asked us to help their son with his school project.

[@ritalockett9788]

Y’all will have to start out on some short hikes so Stanley can get use to it, he isn’t a pro like y’all

[@NCMemoryMakers]

We took him up to Clingmans Dome, which is pretty short. It's steep, but short. He did pretty well with that one.

[@KRIPSYNODUTS]

Is this video taken in October 1st week?

[@NCMemoryMakers]

It was taken on October the 8th