The final leg of my Fall Foliage Tour would feature a drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway from Cherokee to Asheville, North Carolina. And even though I made two unplanned stops there yesterday, I was also going to visit the Oconaluftee Visitor's Center again this morning. I stopped there before only to photograph the elk in the field. The purpose of today's visit would be to check out the Mountain Farm Museum in detail. It's close by, less than a mile down the road from the Parkway entrance.

I couldn't help but notice that Saturday morning had arrived minus the bright sunshine from the day before. The clouds were forecast to hang around all day with the possibility of rain arriving by evening. I was hoping that this wouldn't have any effect on my Blue Ridge Parkway drive. But anything is possible. I hit the road with the roof down anyways, which shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

I couldn't help but notice that Saturday morning had arrived minus the bright sunshine from the day before. The clouds were forecast to hang around all day with the possibility of rain arriving by evening. I was hoping that this wouldn't have any effect on my Blue Ridge Parkway drive. But anything is possible.

The landscaping at the hotel was beautiful !

I made my way through the town of Cherokee, North Carolina on US Route 441 north to the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and stopped at the sign to take a picture.

I was greeted by a happy tail-wagging park visitor as if to say, "Oh great ! You're here to give me a ride ! Where are we going ?" He was wearing a tag with phone numbers that I was unable to call due to the "no service" message from my phone.

He was wearing a collar with two engraved phone numbers. But the "no service" message from my phone made them useless. I turned around and headed back toward town and found a local police officer. "Who's your carrier ?" she asked. "AT & T," I said. "Oh yeah, AT & T doesn't work around here." I can confirm this.

She was wonderful and helped me out by calling the phone numbers and getting in touch with the puppy's owner. She then lead me to the Animal Control "Drop Box." This is just what it says - anyone who finds a wandering animal can take it to Animal Control where they will make sure the animal is ok and make the appropriate calls. I think he found the Jaguar seats quite comfy.