Roan Mountain Rhododendrons as seen from the well placed deck in the midst of the famous “Gardens”

It is mid June now and doing what has become an annual tradition, we are off to Roan Mountain to view the Rhododendron Gardens at their peak. Roan Mountain is beautiful any time of year, but there is something extra special in June, a color show that can only be rivaled by the brightest colors in fall. The two best places to see this vibrant color show, are on either side of Carver’s gap.  Carvers gap is a pass that sits right on the Tennessee/North Carolina state line.  The mountains rise to over 6000 feet on either side, and the Appalachian Trail crosses the highway at this spot.  One side follows the Appalachian Trail, up and along the balds.  This in my opinion is where the color show is at its finest.  The…