Travel Edition 4 – NC Plane Crash – A Travel Loving Momma

My travel date: September 2019

I want to start off by saying this plane crash is important. Someone lost their life in this crash. A family lost a loved one. So, that being said ultimately if you try to find this. HAVE RESPECT. Don’t be like the ones that damaged the plane and left their mark.

The most important part of hiking and nature is #LeavingNoTraceBehind. Respect the earth and love what was given to us by the creator.

NOWWWW, to jump in!!

I saw this hike on a website (I will list below) and in a hiking social media group. As soon as I saw it knew I had to go find it! Your first thought is, how cool right? Yes, plane crashes are intriguing but remember what I said above, respect!

I immediately started searching. I found the following in my search (and again reference sites are at the bottom)

It’s off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waterrock Knob (mile post 451.2)
The plane was Cessna 414A
The date of crash was November 24th, 1983
Two people lost their lives on this day

After researching about the location and information of this hike I traveled to it.

The drive to Waterrock knob overlook was BEAUTIFUL! When I arrived I took in the breath taking views from the parking lot. I started my adventure by walking to the top of Waterrock Knob and again BREATH TAKING. I sat and relaxed, took in the views and just enjoyed the nature.

After enjoying the top of Waterrock Knob I began to search for the entry point of the hike to the place crash. It is kind of tricky to find honestly! I located it at the base of stairs almost to the top of the initial hike.

As you’re going up it is to the left of the bast of the stairs area! When I was trying to find it I did walk past it several times.

The trail had grown up slightly (on my visit).

After I found it I started the journey, and PHEW it was by no means easy. I struggled, I took breaks, I sweated and I concurred the hike. I climbed over things and had to absoultly use a lot of my muscles. As I was hiking there were marks on trees to help guide you, and thank goodness.

Note on the tree for you to read prior to hike!

Through my hike I got to see nature, grass as high as me, stair into what felt like an abyss of trees that went on and on.

I kept hiking along and then suddenly I stumbled across the wreckage. It took my breath away. It was my first plane crash I had ever seen in person.

I was there by myself initially. Walking up and seeing this view was so erie. It was almost like it wasn’t real. The plane was old, torn apart, damaged and quietly sitting there with its parts spread down the mountain. It was just sitting there, like it had been for many many years.

I walked around it observing it’s old unique beauty. Imagining it before the crash. Imagining the victims enjoying their plane and lives before it was lost. The plane souring in the sky. The people flying pointing out things from the sky.

Looking at the plane almost all the insides were gone or shredded. No Seats. So I stood and imagined what it would have been like climbing I to the plane. Probably sitting down with excitement to know you get to fly.

As I walked around the plane I saw vandalism on the side. Where someone pointed their names on the plane and damaged it more. I felt upset for the people that lost their lives, because this was their last resting grounds before they were moved. They deserve respect.

I documented the site that I saw, and a rainbow appeared in my photo and a blue “light”.

The sun and the sky made a beautiful photo happen.

The blue light some people might call an “orb” or some people might call it a reflection. Either way, it is beautiful.

If the light is the people who were lost, I wanted to know I respected their last resting grounds.

Overall, I would recommend if you want to take this adventure to wear good shoes, bring lots of water and tell someone where you are going. It will NOT be easy. It is dangerous. You could get lost (it goes off the beaten path). So, RESEARCH.

And ultimately (AND ALWAYSSS)

Respect the earth. Respect the nature. Respect the plane crash. Respect the lives that were lost.

Enjoy some photos that I took that show this beautiful piece of history🛩