Wednesday, December 8, 2021

What Do You Mean It Goes Nowhere?

 Mom and dad's hiking has slowed a bit with the colder weather and for other reasons, but they recently took an hour and a half drive west to do some easy hiking in Bryson City and the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. 


They'd read about a curious landmark known as the Road to Nowhere Tunnel and had to check it out for themselves. 

I won't get into the story here as there is a plethora of information about its history, photos galore and whatnot otherall online.  Dad says Google it.  I say he's a lazy ass and in a mood. 
Mom On Her Way Into the Tunnel

After meandering through the damp, chilly graffiti-covered tunnel, they took an easy walk on one of the shorter trails just to be out in the fresh air. 
Mom Atop the Tunnel

Oh, and yes, the road on the other end of the tunnel does, indeed go nowhere.  It just ends, just like that.  Parts of the story of the tunnel reminded dad of the history of Quabbin Reservoir up in Massachusetts in that people, homes & businesses were displaced in the name of "progress".  We'll just leave it at that. 

Yep, More Mom

View of the Tuckasegee River on the Way to the Tunnel

15 comments:

Brian's Home Blog said...

That's a pretty place for a walk and that tunnel sure sounds like a government project! Hey, I saw a trout jump down in the river!

Sandee said...

I would love to go for a walk there. Beautiful.

Have a fabulous day. Scritches to Cleo. ♥

pilch92 said...

I live right near the Quabbin so I know all about the 4 towns destroyed to make it.

meowmeowmans said...

What a neat place for a hike for your mom and dad, Cleo. We googled it, and that sounds like what happens with a lot of government projects. There's something similar in the mountains above Los Angeles. That one is a bridge that goes nowhere.

ZOOLATRY said...

Fascinating (amusing story about it) and a beautiful place, all in one! Now to follow up with Mr Google.
On a Sunday country drive not long ago, rather rural, a street sign read "The End of the
Street" Road ... curious, though not enough to venture down it ...

Lynn and Precious said...

Cleo, I see lots of sunshine that day. Beautiful place to take a walk, I'm envious. I'll have to look up that tunnel. In the meantime did they leave you at home with lots of nippy a soft warm bed?

The Island Cats said...

Wow! What a beautiful place to do some hiking!

Eastside Cats said...

I adore traveling through woods and up and down hills!
Can't really call it 'hiking', just my plodding steps as I enjoy nature.
Cleo, aren't you glad that you didn't have to go?

Saku said...

It certainly looks like a very pretty place to take a walk. Even when the weather isn't very warm. - Mom Bean

Aren't you glad you're a cat Cleo. You got to stay home, stay warm, and have an uninterrupted nap while the beans were out wandering. - Saku


Greg_1948 in_WA said...

I always wondered what the end of the road would look like--not bad!

da tabbies o trout towne said...

cleo....oh em cod that veew oh de riverz awesum !!! ;) manee thanx for sharin ~~~ ♥♥

My Mind's Eye said...

Cleo I sure am glad mom is feeling tip top that was a very nice trek to nowhere. The light at the end of the tunnel is deceiving. You know how I feel about the beautiful NC Mountains...the last photo is frame worthy
Hugs Cecilia

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

Looks like a great place for a hike. The scenery in the last photo is breathtaking.

Lynn and Precious said...

Cleo, Lynn just explained how some people paid enough money to not build the road to nowhere that you and I and all our blog furrfriends could buy an electric blanket, a case of sardines, a case of temptation treats and a bag of nippy. Ready to shop? Precious

The Oceanside Animals said...

Lulu: "Hmm, I wonder if this is the road The Talking Heads were singing about in that one song of theirs ..."