Multi-Stop Field Trip for Tuesday, July 19th

Let’s go off like fireworks on this one; a multi-stop outing consisting of a sunrise, a waterfall, a coffee break, an Indian village and another waterfall.

Early birds (“Sunrise” group) meet at 5:15 am on the south side of the Bi - Lo parking lot at the intersection of Highway 280 and 64, address is 41 Forest Gate Drive, Pisgah Forest.

We will ride through Pisgah National Forest to the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the stop sign turn, left and go to Pounding Mill Overlook. Sunrise will be at 6:00 am. We can stop next to the road so we should have time to get set-up. There will be a full moon that morning. After we shoot the sunrise we can continue to Highway 215 and turn west to the Falls at the West Fork of the Pigeon River. It is right next to the road and the light should be good this time of day. We should be through about 7:30/7:45 and then continue into Waynesville on Highway 215/276 through town on to Russ Avenue to McDonalds at 825 Russ Avenue, Waynesville. We should arrive around 8:30 am.

Not-so-early birds, meet in the parking lot at the Lowe's (“with a view”) on Airport Road at 7:30 am. Park on the southwest corner facing Best Buy and organize into carpools of 3 to 4 per car. Remember to tip the driver to defray the cost of gas. Take I-26 West to Exit 27, which is Highway 74, toward Silva to the Waynesville Exit, 102 B. Join the “Sunrise" group at McDonalds at 825 Russ Avenue, Waynesville for coffee. We should all meet around 8:30 am.

Everyone leaves together from McDonalds and continues southwest on Highway 23 towards Silva/Cherokee. Take the Cherokee exit and continue to the Oconaluftee Indian Village at 218 Drama Road, Cherokee. This is a reenactment of a living village with native dress and craft demonstrations. The entrance fee is $18.00 a person with no discounts for groups. The actors will accept tips; however, I have made it clear that we are a camera club, planning to take a lot of photographs. As such, we do not intend to tip every time we close a shutter and they have agreed. We can shoot until early afternoon, say about 1:00 pm, and then leave for lunch.

Sassy Sunflowers Bakery & Cafe is a 4 1/2 star restaurant as rated by Trip Advisor. It is located at 1655 Acquoni Road, Cherokee, (828) 497-2539. After lunch we can return on Highway 441 through Maggie Valley. At the top of Soco Mountain where the BRP crosses over is Soco Falls that has a good view rating. It is 35 feet high and only a few hundred feet from the road. After shooting the falls we return via I-40 /I-26 to Airport Road. I will take anyone to the Bi-Lo in Pisgah Forest to pick-up their car.

Anyone and everyone can join at any point of this trip.

Please RSVP to Mike Merrill at [email protected] or (828) 684-9436 so we will have a headcount of who to expect.