When I was a kid in the 5th grade, I had to memorize a poem entitled "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer. Forty+ years later I find myself in a wonderful forest dedicated to the man and his poem. The Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest near Robbinsville, North Carolina is a magical place. There are over 100 species of trees here with some over 400 years old and 20-feet in circumference. A two-mile, figure 8 trail makes hiking this 3,800-acre forest very enjoyable.
Fontana Dam in North Carolina is one of those places you go to say, "Been there, done that." At 480 feet tall, it is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States. When it was constructed between 1942-1944, it was the 4th tallest dam in the world. It is a pretty area but unless they are releasing water from the dam, it's not very exciting. A nice but small visitor center explains the operation and history of the dam. Worth a visit if you are in the area. Now, where can I get some dam bait?
We really don't need an excuse for a road trip but the Bloom with a View event at the North Carolina Arboretum sounded interesting to us. After a short drive to Asheville, we were greeted by thousands of beautiful blooms in various planters. Color was everywhere! It truly was an enjoyable trip. This will probably be a yearly trip for us as it is that impressive.
