Day 2 and 3- North Carolina mountains and Tennessee

Many people, including myself, have always wondered what a Heaven on Earth would look like. Well, I think I just found it in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Driving through the blueridge parkway is an experience unlike any other. Everywhere you turn is a picture perfect postcard scene. All you can see is mountain ranges stretching on to the horizon, and the only sound besides an occasional passing car is the chirping of birds. I have never experienced true bliss and beauty like this before. The road is so high up in the mountains that you can literally touch the clouds. This is heaven on earth.

I started the day on Saturday by going to Grandfather Mountain state park, which offers the best views of the mountains and the area. There is a swinging walking bridge that is exactly 1 mile above the ground level, and the lookout cliff on the top of the mountain is almost 6,000 feet high! The view from the top is absolutely breathtaking and I could have easily spent the entire day there.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.

After leaving the mountain, I began my 2 hour drive in the Appalachian Mountains to Asheville, North Carolina. Asheville is a very awesome, free spirited, liberal, artsy town in the middle of nowhere, nestled deep in the mountains. I briefly stopped here to people watch, grab a bite to eat, and bar hop. I can’t wait until I have the chance to come back here, because it definitely felt like home to me and I can see myself living there one day.

On Sunday, I first drove to Nashville, Tennessee for lunch. I stopped by for a quick beer at the world famous Tootsie's Lounge, where many famous country musicians and other celebrities are often spotted. The purple building definitely stands out among the rest on the street.

My main destination for Sunday was Memphis. I have been to both Nashville and Memphis last year on my 2008 tour, so I knew exactly what I wanted to see and where I wanted to go this year when coming here. I got to Memphis and went straight to Beale Street to enjoy what makes Memphis one of the most amazing and fun cities I’ve ever been to. Beale Street is basically the little brother of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but it still has a lot to offer. The entire street is flooded with neon lights and live blues and country music is pouring out of every bar as you walk by. And best of all, you can drink outside on the street!

As I write this blog, I’m staring out of my hotel window and looking at the beautiful Mississippi river and the bridge going over it that crosses into Arkansas. That very bridge will take me to my next destination and allow me to continue my journey out west. My trip has barely begun, but I can already feel that I am at a place very far from home, and the memories from these past few days will be cherished for the rest of my life.