Tell folks the sticks are Nordic walking poles. It is the “in” thing. They will think you are cool. 
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The best waterfalls in NC with an easy hike are in DuPont Forest near Brevard, so it would be a bit of a detour off the parkway. But they are wonderful and very accessible.
Dupont State Forest Waterfalls Tour Hike.
About 10 years ago, we went to Linville and drove on the viaduct where all the famous pictures are taken. We did a hike to get up under it and actually see it. It wasn’t a long hike, but I don’t know how it would be for you.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/north-carolina/linn-cove-viaduct-via-tanawha-trail
And the mile high swinging bridge at grandfather mountain is also cool. You can drive up to it as I recall, but it would also be a slight detour from the parkway.
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Was going to also suggest Brevard area for waterfalls - there are plenty and it’s a cute town.
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In NC you need a true wooden walking stick (none of those hipster things). They sell them in gift shops. Fun to pick out the perfect one! At the park stations you can buy hiking trail medallions as a souvenir of your hike to attach to your walking stick.
https://shop.americasnationalparks.org/store/category/24/261/Hiking-Medallions/
The service even has a wooden hiking stick that you screw together so you can put it in checked baggage.
I had to look up Tsankawi Unit. It looked like where we went, but then Pueblo Loop also looked same…ladders to peep into cave dwellings. Seeing the crowd warnings (shuttle starts 6/14) makes me think our Nov visit was ideal… not sure I’d do it in summer heat, with more people. To me seeing those caves was fun, but even in Nov when parking lot not full (and no shuttles) we did sometimes have to wait to climb the ladders.
If you’re only visiting one, then Tent Rocks would be my choice. Cafe Pasqual’s is close to the plaza and always a fun lunch stop. I haven’t visited since the pandemic but, if nothing has changed, seating is communal/close. Just something to keep in mind.
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Just got back from our daughter’s grad cruise. She, her boyfriend and we had an itinerary that started in Reykjavik, had two stops in Iceland (that were cancelled due to storms); then stops in Alesund, Geiranger, and Bergen Norway; and finally Amsterdam and Bruges.
The ship stayed in Reykjavik an extra day to wait the storm out and we hired a driver to take us to see some sights since our other Iceland stops were canceled. We had a great day seeing geysers, waterfalls, and the volcanic landscape of Iceland in the freezing rain!
Our Norway stops were fab (and warmer after Alesund) with Geiranger the most scenic, yet the larger city of Bergen was very beautiful also. We went on a Segway tour in Bergen and got to see the narrow streets and beautiful neighborhoods off the beaten path.
We had been to Amsterdam before, but hadn’t done a canal cruise, so we did that. Had planned to visit the Rijksmuseum again, but we couldn’t get same day tickets. So we wandered around some and practiced dodging bikes.
We loved Bruges, it was gorgeous. We went on a bike tour which aside from the central square, was much less hectic than Amsterdam. Again, travelled down alleyways and narrow side streets and saw so much gorgeous architecture.
We disembarked at Southampton and spent the last afternoon in London showing the boyfriend some sights before we flew home the next day.
Picked up the dogs from the kennel yesterday and they were no worse for wear, but very tired! They’ve been lazing in their crates voluntarily last night and today!
Something to note. My husband caught a cold about 3/4 of the way through the trip. Just a mild cough and a little bit of sniffles. He wore a mask on the flight back, and tested himself last night and was positive for Covid. He has had all the vaccines and boosters and is doing OK, but please take precautions while traveling if necessary because it’s still out there. The rest of us are fine so far.
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Wow - it’s been awhile since we used this thread.
What are people’s thoughts about sleep-aids (Tylenol PM type things) on long flights where you arrive in the morning? I’ve never taken them, but they’ve been suggested by a friend for long flights.
I don’t know, I’ve never felt the need for them, even when traveling to the UK or South Africa. I guess everyone is different, but I’m so hyped up when I go on a trip that I do fine with little sleep. It’s coming back home that’s hard for me!
For overseas flights where we want to sleep, my husband takes and ambien tablet and I take half.
I’ve used Tylenol PM or Benadryl and I felt it didn’t help much. I switched to Ativan about 10 years ago and I find it works much better for me. My husband tried it and he didn’t feel it did anything for him. I take 1 Ativan and it doesn’t knock me out but it relaxes me to the point I get some decent sleep. I don’t find myself groggy from the Ativan and I did with the Benadryl. I think the key is to just get to your destination and not let yourself go to bed. If your dr is concerned about prescribing Ativan you can ask for a small prescription of just 4 pills for a trip.
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I’d be afraid to use anything without trying it out first a week or so before. Everyone is different and just because it worked great for one person doesn’t mean it will work for you. I’ve done well just powering through to get yourself on the right schedule at my new destination.
Got a chance to try Trtl travel pillow. I’m getting one. I could easily fall asleep with one. Like it because it doesn’t take much room to pack vs many other options.
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I agree about trying at home first - that’s why I’m asking now. I would like to be able to sleep on the long flights, but I often don’t sleep well even at home.
I’ll have to Google that pillow.
It made me claustrophobic.
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I have used Advil PM when flying long distances and it has helped me get some sleep on a plane. H has a prescription for Ativan and I have also taken half of one to help sleep when we travel.