Tuesday 9th Sept - The Blue Ridge Parkway, Peaks of Otter to Knoxville

The mountain view was significantly better in the morning, but swirling cloud still enveloped the top of the mountain. We left the motel which had slightly disappointed us as the fixtures and fittings were starting to look a little tired by now. After an expensive breakfast at the hotel we set off on a cloudy but warm morning on to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The character of the road had not changed: it was still a gentle drive through parkland at a max speed of 45 mph. Eventually the novelty started to wear off and we needed to make up time so we left the BRP after about 100 miles and 2 1/2 hours to join the I81 and head for Knoxville. As on a previous occasion we hit Knoxville during the rush hour and spent some time negotiating the traffic jams. Once out the other side things cleared and the I40 to Nashville was much calmer. It was 6 in the evening by this time so we knew we were not going to make Nashville and found a nice Holiday Inn just off the interstate in a place called Harriman. Our evening meal was at a Mexican restaurant - Los Palmos - where we enjoyed some great margaritas! One is not enough, two is too much!