Recommendation: Foothills Parkway with Lunch

If you are looking for something to do but want to sleep in, are short on time, or you don't want to deal with the heat, check this out...

The entrance to the Foothills Parkway (see the post on the Foothills Parkway under "Drives") is only about 6 miles from the Garage Mahal, the whole loop is about 20 miles.  The views from the Parkway are amazing with lots of turn offs for photo ops. 

 At the end of the Parkway take the I-40 ramp towards Asheville, and get off at the next exit which is Hartford.  Not a lot to the cute little town, mostly rafting companies, but there is the Goodwater Winery Tasting Room and The Bean Trees Cafe.  I recommend having lunch at the Cafe, sit outside, have a drink in the shade next to the Pigeon River and relax...