The rock slide on I-40, October 25, 2009. Photo by wpsa.com
Yesterday (Sunday) started at an early hour for me. I knew Betsy had to check out of the cabin in Maggie Valley at 9 o’clock (ignoring the time change). I also know that it took three hours to get from Maggie Valley to the house on Tuesday. So I set the alarm for 4 o’clock and was on the road before five. I would get there to Maggie Valley with an hour to spare.
Everything went well until about 7 o’clock , as I was approaching Newport, Tennessee. Flashing lights, a police car and a fire truck announced that there was a problem up ahead. It turns out that there had been a major rock slide on I-40 at about 2 o’clock Sunday morning. The rock slide caused about 30 miles of the interstate to be closed. The closed section runs through the Pigeon River Gorge and is just about the only way to get through that part of the mountains.
There were volunteers giving directions, but unfortunately they didn’t agree on the way to get from where I was to Maggie Valley. Following one set of directions took me in a circle and brought me back to the exit where I had to get off. Our GPS can select a route by the shortest distance or by the faster time. Both routes used the closed section of the interstate. I finally gave up and took a route that I knew would get me there — eventually. To make a long story (and trip) short, I finally got to the cabin just before 11 o’clock. That three hour trip took six hours.
Fortunately Betsy hadn’t given up on me and I got reunited with my Beautiful Bride. Since the interstate was closed we decided to go back home over the Cherohala Parkway. The autumn colors were gorgeous, but I’ll save that for tomorrow.
Sunday night they were reporting that the interstate will be closed for at least two months. We might not be traveling east for the next couple of months.
Tags: Betsy, Mountains, North Carolina, Travels
Senior Moments 
October 26, 2009 at 7:00 am |
George: Trips through the mountains can be so pretty but a few rocks sure can cause problems. Looks like half the mountain came down.
October 26, 2009 at 7:39 am |
Glad you weren’t involved in the rockslide part. That’s a big slide.
October 26, 2009 at 7:41 am |
That had to be scary looking! Glad you are safe, a little tired I’m sure, but safe nonetheless…you and Betsy had a glorious afternoon I read!
October 26, 2009 at 9:09 am |
I’m so glad ya’ll wasn’t hurt!
I asked Betsy to take it easy on you about the ‘honey-do’ list. hehehee
October 26, 2009 at 9:21 am |
Wowee, that is quite a slide. and the road closed for two monthes—yipes!
At least you al were reunited and all’s well that ends well. MB
October 26, 2009 at 9:50 am |
some of those boulders look to be huge!!! a good thing to see after the fact, rather than during!
October 26, 2009 at 10:35 am |
WOW. What a disaster George. I am sorry for your frustration and long drive, but happy you were not physically injured…just mentally!!
October 26, 2009 at 11:50 am |
Wow, what a huge rockslide…I’m glad you two were finally reunited!!! Betsy said you had a wonderful ride home…so hope we’ll see a lot of new photos!!!
October 26, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Abit of a bind for you George, but it could have been a lot worse, if you were travelling at the time of the slide.
October 26, 2009 at 12:48 pm |
What a nightmare the closing is going to be. Glad you found Betsy safe and sound. She probably enjoyed taking the “scenic” route instead of I40.
October 26, 2009 at 1:44 pm |
Wow, two months, that’s a long time for the road to be closed. Glad to hear you eventually made it and got you and Besty home safely.
October 26, 2009 at 4:31 pm |
Wow thats a long time to close that road. They can’t move those boulders any faster than that?? Glad you weren’t any where near that rock slide. Glad Betsy is home safe also.
October 26, 2009 at 5:05 pm |
George I am glad everything turned out well and you acquired a story worth telling!
October 26, 2009 at 6:25 pm |
Oh my … I hope no one is UNDER those rocks! Glad there’s a happy ending to this adventure 😉
Hugs and blessings,
October 26, 2009 at 8:01 pm |
Sounds like a real adventure! The Cherohala Skyway is beautiful so I’ll bet you really had a good time after all the hassle.
October 26, 2009 at 10:01 pm |
We’re just all glad that you weren’t in the rock slide and I know that Betsy must have been really thankful when you finally arrived.
October 26, 2009 at 11:03 pm |
Those are major boulders. I bet it will be hard cleaning that up because more could slide down and they don’t want to get crushed. At least you found a way to get to Betsy.
October 27, 2009 at 7:54 am |
Oh my goodness! I’m glad you weren’t on that part of the road when it happened! I’m just glad you got to Betsy, even if it took six hours.
November 25, 2009 at 1:37 pm |
gosh im ever so glad you werent hurt and got reunited with betsy