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Unforgettable 2011 Road Trip: Serendipitous Detour from Washington D.C. to Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville

With Hurricane Irene approaching Washington, D.C. last night, our road trip plans hung in the balance. Yet, a complete reroute proved to be a stroke of serendipity!

Originally, our NYC-to-NOLA journey was set to weave through Richmond and Jamestown, Virginia Beach, the Outer Banks, Wilmington, NC, Myrtle Beach, and Charleston, SC by Monday. Instead, we left D.C. and spent the day driving through the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains toward Asheville, North Carolina.

Unforgettable 2011 Road Trip: Serendipitous Detour from Washington D.C. to Blue Ridge Mountains and AshevilleToday embodied the perfect road trip: ominous clouds over D.C. and Alexandria yielded to sunny skies amid rolling green hills. We jammed to classic rap on satellite radio and dined at Cracker Barrel, where Dani enjoyed exceptional Cherry French Toast.

Unforgettable 2011 Road Trip: Serendipitous Detour from Washington D.C. to Blue Ridge Mountains and AshevillePassing Bristol Motor Speedway during a major NASCAR race, we encountered minimal traffic while curving through the Blue Ridge Mountains, pausing at scenic overlooks along the highway.

Unforgettable 2011 Road Trip: Serendipitous Detour from Washington D.C. to Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville

Crossing Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, we arrived at our Asheville hotel at sunset, enveloped by 360-degree views of verdant foothills. Tomorrow brings hikes, Asheville adventures, Biltmore exploration, and a drive to Charlotte.

Unforgettable 2011 Road Trip: Serendipitous Detour from Washington D.C. to Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville


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