MT MITCHELL, NORTH CAROLINA

Please say hello to "Mitchell" a latest edition to the TOTA family.  We found him all alone in the jungle (well, more like among all the other beanie babies in the gift shop) and Benjamin needed a little brother to play with.  Mitchell came along for the drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway and he told us he has always wanted to go up to the Top of the Arch - haa haa.  Mount Mitchell State Park is located some 33 miles northeast on the parkway and 5 miles north on NC 128.  Mount Mitchell is the highest point in the eastern U.S. standing at 6,684 feet. 

It was Saturday afternoon (July 7th) when we stopped for a break at Mount Mitchell State Park.  There was an observation lodge that houses a restaurant, a museum and small gift shop.  After 8 days of driving, sleeping in different beds every night, I was so tired that I just wanted a bowl of soup and a cup of coffee.  After lunch, we spent a few minutes sitting out in the observation deck wishing we had more time to really enjoy the breathtaking views.