Hi John,
Thanks for the VERY interesting reply. I didn't get to make my long getaway that I wanted but, my wife and I did drive up to Hawks Nest last weekend. I just wanted to get her up there and show her some of the scenery and she really liked it. We are going to plan a longer drive/weekend up that way soon so we'll be using your tips. We plan to take plenty of pics and blog them when we get back. Once we do, we'll let you know. I really feel fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. In addition to the natural beauty, it is rich in history. There should never be a reason for being bored when living in this area. Thanks again for the detailed reply
Take care