Road to Nashville

Today ended up being one long, winding, awesome drive to Nashville. There are a couple of roads that shouldn't be missed if you're in a car - the Blue Ridge Parkway (official name) and the Tail of the Dragon (made-up name). BRP is well-known while the Dragon is an 11-mile stretch of an existing highway that supposedly makes 318 turns.

Blue Ridge Parkway runs through the Appalachian mountains and is spectacular. Dozens of scenic turnouts give drivers a place to rest and take mostly the same photos. Here's one:


After a couple hours of views like these and a minor sunburn on my arms, I got in line for a self-portait with the sign at the top of the ridge to prove I was there.

Next up was the Tail of the Dragon, a stretch of road that bikers and sports-car drivers all seem to know about and fear. It was a lot of fun to drive, if a little nerve-wracking - lots of motorcycles coming the other way and the shoulder was only inches wide. People set up lawnchairs along the road to cheer and take pictures.

My car and I made it just fine and bought the 'I survived the Dragon' t-shirt. Of course.