Last weekend, it felt more like we were resuming our normal lives, with a drive planned for the Blue Ridge Parkway and up to Elk Mountain road. It was a joint club drive with both of the MINI clubs where we are members. The two groups were meeting on the BRP at an overlook between them. The overlook was closer for us, so we met them there. We were first to arrive, and too the opportunity to take a photo of the car with mountains in the background. My Sweet Babboo put his wind-up key on the back just for fun.

Without moving the car, the view across the road was just as beautiful.

Since we got there early, I walked a bit up the Mountain To Sea Trail that ran around the overlook, and hid a couple of rocks.

Apparently, lots of us were feeling that it was time to begin living more normally again, as 33 cars showed up for the event! Cabin fever in full swing. Upstate MINIs (South Carolina club) came up to meet Appalachian Mountain MINIs (western North Carolina club) on the Blue Ridge Parkway overlook.

All the cars were stuffed into the overlook, it was lucky that the overlook was mostly empty. We maneuvered around to let two other cars leave, then filled up the space with four rows of MINIs.

Driver’s meeting to go over the route and determine order, and then we were off.

Turning out on the Blue Ridge Parkway, everything is green now.

There are a number of tunnels on the parkway, and it is customary to blow the horn when you are going through.

A quick look back, the line was keeping together.

Out the windows, the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains.

We were going north, to east Asheville, then turned onto Elk Mountain Road.

A wonderful view of the Asheville area, showing it in the French Broad River valley, surrounded by mountains. The downtown area is on the left.

More green with mountains in the distance as we descended into the valley.

One more photo in the mirror, just for fun.

A few more miles surrounded by tall green trees, lush and fragrant with lots of dogwoods in bloom.

We arrived for our picnic lunch at members Max and Wendy’s home, packing in a few MINIs to fill up the driveway.

Then we parked them on both sides of the short alleyway running away from the house. We still had more to park, and begged the next door neighbor to let us use his field for the last 8 cars.

Wendy had this cake made for our event, so fun! And it was delicious!!

So good to be with vaccinated friends, have a great drive, a fun picnic, and top it off with yummy cake. It was a great day.

Feel like doing a bit of online shopping? Last chance to get some great deals for May – C&T Publishing is helping to sponsor our Safelight Project by giving 25% off any order in May with discount code CTMAY2021. If you thought about The Ultimate Quilt Finishing Guide or Harriet’s Journey from Elm Creek Quilts from my last books post, now’s the time to get it! Or, for their Memorial Day event, today through Monday, take 50% OFF all ebooks with the code EBOOKMEMDAY. Shop now while these deals last!

Check out Fat Quarter Shop’s May specials! 20% Off the Basic of the Month from Riley Blake Fabrics, plus 30% Off the Notion of the Month from Taylor Seville, 30% Off the Book of the Month “Scrappy and Happy” and Precuts of the Week.  The Daily Flash Sale has something new at clearance pricing every day.

Great Deals on Madam Sew’s additional markdowns on Clearacne items for Memorial Day Sale. See my recent articles on Madam Sew, Planning Borders, and Thrifty Quilting, and check out their great deals in their store while you are there, like this deal on rotary cutter blades and see their Best Sellers too.

There is a 25% off sale at Impression Obsession for stamps and dies in their May curated category The Great Outdoors.

See some great ideas to order online for Father’s Day, Graduation or Birthday Gifts at Amazon.

What are you doing this Memorial Day weekend for fun?