BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:51 PM

I never went to that Biltmore, but certainly enjoyed the Hearst Castle at San Simeon many years ago. It's a state park, but in this day and age, it is probably just as expensive (if not more, the way the CA state budget is going!) Biltmore is still private, isn't it?

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:26 PM

Oh, and agree with others above - Biltmore is a pricey visit, but WELL worth it. One of the most amazing houses you'll ever visit.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 05:24 PM

I loved driving the Blue Ridge Parkway. You don't really need to do much, or know much - just drive and enjoy. We tuned into some great folkie/Americana radio while driving it as well.

Worth stopping off at Asheville, which is a great town, and has a wonderful Folk Art Center. Their Heritage Weekend in September is definitely worth a visit, not least for the Gee Haw Whimmy Diddle contest!
Heritage Weekend



I would give Cherokee a miss.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: robomatic
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 03:27 PM

My memory of the BRP is being snowed off it in Spring of 82. I consoled myself with a visit to the Appalachian folk museum and Monticello.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,daylia
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 09:07 AM

Hi everyone;

we're in Waynesboro Virginia this morning, about to enter Shenandoah National Park    we're having a wonderful time!   went to Asheville first, but decided against parting with the $150 for 3 people to see Biltomre    =[    but Asheville itself is a real treat. Full of history, the scenery and the shopping are worth the trip. The downtown area is like hippieville, quaint little shops, street musicians playing Appalachian music on homemade guitars and instruments    =]   

anyway they are urging me to HURRY UP now, we are going to try and make the Luray Caverns today, and also do the side trail to Doyle River Falls mentioned up there    we'll stop and get a guide at the Park to all the Falls etc as pointed out       thank you so much for all the tips!

THe weathers been great too --- pretty cool actually, no rain yet, we saw deer galore (unfortunately 3 little fawns killed on the road too   =[)    and even a BLACK BEAR   

anyway they are yankin me away      Janie and Dani ty!   will pm once we get back to Raleigh       bbl    thank you all again!!!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Janie
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 01:41 AM

Sounds like you are on your way, so probaby won't see this post, but just in case....

The Parkway is a lovely drive, no matter where you are, but the topography is very different along the way. The Southern Appalachians are different from the central Appalachians. Skyline Drive, in Virginia is lovely, and very different from from what you will see in North Carolina, particularly as one approaches Mt. Mitchell and the Parkway south of there. No matter what parts of the Parkway you choose to traverse, if you have time, take some time to hike some of the trails. Even if time is of the essence there are many short hikes to waterfalls, balds, and other geographical features that are worth stopping a bit to sample, no matter what parts of the Parkway you choose to drive.

My own preference and recommendation is that it is a better experience to cover less of the Parkway and do more hiking than to drive more of the Parkway and do less hiking. Good information is available regarding all trails including time and degree of strenuousness. In North Carolina, the southern half of the Parkway, being higher, is a bit more dramatic, with plenty of hikable balds, mountain streams and waterfalls, etc.

No matter what parts of the Parkway you choose to drive, it is a pretty and enjoyable experience. Hope you can take the time to hike some of the trails.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 09 - 12:33 AM

What a story--about littering in a National Park. ;-) I have one also, but it's a different park so I'll save it for another day. But it is funny, how you can scare a little common sense into some of those park visitors.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 06:00 PM

Seconding Janie's invitation~ pm if you can! You practically have to drive right by us!

Dani

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 06:21 AM

Just to be clear, the BRP's northern entrance is near Waynesboro, Virginia, at Rockfish Gap where I-64 and US 250 cut through. From there Northward is the Shenandoah National Park, through which the Skyline Drive travels. Nearly a decade ago I hiked the entire length of the SNP by way of the Appalachian Trail. One of the prettiest spots along the way was a short side trail, (2 somewhat steep miles round trip more or less,) to the Doyle River waterfalls. Mighty pretty! No special equipment needed, by the way, you could probably do the hike in street shoes. There are many other waterfalls hikes in the SNP. If you stop at one of the gift shops you may find a small guidebook, little more than a pamphlet, to all of the waterfalls in the park. You might even sweettalk the ranger at the entrance gate to the Skyline Drive into giving you one of the guides.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Kent Davis
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 10:37 PM

fretless,

There are no tolls at all on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are no actual tolls on Skyline Drive either, but there is a $15 entrance fee for Shenandoah National Park, through which Skyline Drive runs. The entrance pass is good for six days.

Daylia,

If you go through Meadows of Dan, in Virginia between Mabry Mill and the North Carolina line, you might enjoy a stop at the Poor Farmer's Market" http://www.poorfarmersmarket.biz/
Their fried apple pies are wonderful and, as of October, 2007, they had an extensive and unusual selection of books and CDs with Appalachian themes.

Nearby is an beautiful little church building http://www.r-elliott.com/stonechurches/stonchurch.htm

Kent Davis

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Claymore
Date: 18 Jul 09 - 05:00 PM

One of the more inventive uses I made of the Blue Ridge Parkway was when I was assigned (as a Deputy Sheriff) to take a prisoner captured in Loudoun county (the northern-most county in VA) down to Charllottesville. I had a young female deputy as a shotgun and the prisoner (a check-kiter) in the back of the cruiser. It was a beautiful day and I decided to take the BRP, as Route 81 had not been built yet. (This was in the early 70's) As we wended our way down the Parkway, I decided we needed to stretch our legs, so I pulled off into one of the viewing areas and pulled up next to what was clearly a hippie van.

Both the prisoner and I smelled the rich perfume of the devil weed and he hollered out of the rear window "COPS". Immediately I saw three people run from the other side of the van and throw a couple of those really intricate head-shop bongs and about a pound of grass over the edge of the look-out. So I got out of the cruiser and after adjusting my mirror-shade sun glasses, giving my southern-style deputy hat a tilt forward, and making certain my .357 was snug in its custom built Jordan thumb-break speed-draw holster, I approached them.

I immediately noticed that all three were standing there watching me nervously, but what I really noticed was that the female had nipples the size of carriage bolts under that tie-die. So I went up and without a word, looked over the edge of the retaining wall to the ground about a 1000 feet below, barely seeing the brightly shattered pieces of the broken bongs .

"I see you got rid of the grass...,

but I could still write you for littering in a National Park...

if I only had jurisdiction..."

And then I walked back to my cruiser and drove away.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 04:32 PM

Yeah.......When I was 10, 50 years ago, Gatlinburg was a wonderful place.....10 years later it was starting to become artsy-fartsy. By the time I was 30 there was very little of the old charm left and now........I wouldn't go anywhere near the place!!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 17 Jul 09 - 01:28 PM

If you're going to Biltmore then a side trip to the Smokys is do-able, but there is a real traffic jam through there in the summer and it is hard on brakes. Lots of folks do the down side with smoking breaks. And if you should think about a visit to the Smokys, DON'T go near Gatlinburg. It's a crowded little tourist trap hell hole where everything is too cute for words, expensive as anything you'll find, and not worth the trouble. Clingman's Dome (at the top) is a modest little hike. But I'd head back down the Cherokee side again and stay out of Tennessee.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 01:19 PM

ALways the chance of a foggy mountain breakdown.............


I'll get my hat



Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: fretless
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 12:56 PM

Haven't had time to read all of the above carefully, but I don't think anyone has mentioned that the BRP is a federal toll road -- not bad if you are doing a consistent stretch, but potentially costly if you are going on and off. Unless, that is, you are over 62 in which case you can buy a Golden Eagle pass and have full access to this and other federal properties for life.

Running perpendicular to the BRP on the Virginia side of the Va-NC border is "the crooked road ," a Virginia heritage/music trail with good Appalachian music at a variety of sites. My favorite is Friday night in Floyd.

I'd warn you that the BRP isn't much fun in fog, but I'm guessing you can figure that one out yourself!

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 10:39 AM

I agree Bobertz.........The Biltmore is one of Karen's favorite places and is well worth the time. Asheville was a vacationing spot of the super-rich and has a lot of history.

I agree also that there are so many beautiful and woderful places in the mountains that time might be better spent without side trips for more of the same. I don't mean to make it sound boring by any means and certainly not like this lady I remember encountering at Cumberland Falls..............

My college roommate Matt and I were down at Cumberland Falls and had been hiking far down the gorge below the falls. This was post-college and we were in our late 20's and enjoyed the awesome and wonderful flora and fauna and the amazing rock formations. Its a truly beautiful place in the Appalachian foothills of southern Kentucky and I used to spend many a fine day in and around there.

We were approaching "civilization" again only a few hundred yards below the falls and came upon a middle aged couple. The wife looked exasperated and I guess she was as she asked, "Is there anything else to see down that way beside the rocks and the woods and the river?"

Matt and I just kinda' stared at her and then at each other and Matt replied in that wonderful Kentucky drawl of his, "No Ma'am......Ahm real sorry but I reckon that's about all there is."


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 08:48 AM

Biltmore, yes...

As for coming up to Virginia, unless you have alot of time, I'd suggest that you just stay down in western Carolina... Lot to look at there that ain't all that much driving... Granfather Mountain is ain't all that much other than a long trip up the side of a mountain and a long one back down... You won't see much more than you'll see on the parkway in terms of nice views... I'd pass on it... Unless, of course, you have gobs of time on yer hands and you ain't worried about burnin' up soeone elses brakes...

But do see Biltmore...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: daylia
Date: 16 Jul 09 - 08:37 AM

rofl   oh geez    c'mon guys    the 20-somethings will be reading this later so control yourselves eh?   ;)

going over the maps and everyone's suggestions, we'll decide today whether to do the north end of the PKY (Skyline Dr and the caverns) + Grandfather Mountain/Blowing Rock, or the south end (Asheville ie Biltmore wow! looks amazing! ... and Cherokee too) + Grandfather Mntn/Blowing Rock. I don't want to rush this road trip at all, I want to sit back and enjoy so I figured we won't have time for both.   

Either way, we will be near Roanoke at some point so thanks, Ranger Steve for the headsup re traffic there. And for all the pointers about road conditions too - good to know these things in advance. My son has never driven in the mountains before, this'll be a learning experience. He's driving a Nissan Altima, nice sized little car, easy to handle on those roads i bet. Hoping it has a sunroof and REALLY hoping it has a/c (I'm sure it has!)

Mrzzy, if we end up near Charlottesville and time permitting, I"ll pm you (we'll have a laptop if there's internet to be found anywhere!) also Bobert and Janie too when I'm back in Raleigh. Thank you so much .. I luv American friendliness and hospitality!

Hoping its the same at the airport, actually. This is the first time I'll ever need to show my passport to go the US, and I've heard the customs/security people won't cut you any slack whatsoever nowadays. Which is a very good thing, actually. Not complaining!

SRS, good to know that about the weather. So it is like Miami/Ft Lauderdale in July/Aug, with the afternoon thunderstorms and sauna-like conditions. I wondered about that. Apparently Raleigh is different, just hot and humid and lots of rain, but no tropical storms. Must be because the hot wet air masses from the ocean are forced up over the mountains and cool, unloading the excess moisture ... but i'm just guessing ...

anyway I'm leaving tomorrow, today will be a bit hectic as I finish with my students and get this house as well as myself ready but I will, hopefully, have time to check in here again first. Oh I am really looking forward to this!!   Woke up this morning with an old song playin in my head

The niiiighhht .... they drove ole Dixie down   ....

but i said to myself, Self - that's probably geographically incorrect! So I changed it, now I'm hearin

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morrrrrrning ....

Whoo-hooo!   take me home country roads .... thanks again everyone you're wunnerful! will bbl

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 10:33 PM

Yeah.....That's why the freebie at Luray didn't surprise me................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Neil D
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 09:52 PM

Virginia is for Lovers

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 08:03 PM

Well Bobertz, that was back in my single days and I thought it was just a part of the Virginia Tourism Association ad campaign. It was free and all you had to do was let them put on a bumper sticker, Those things used to be really big all over the south if ya' remember......And I tell ya what else.....The ones I got free from at Ruby Falls and Rock City were not to be forgotten!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 07:57 PM

You much extra were they, Spawz???

I mean, it's 18 bucks just to get the tour so I reckon if yer gonna get a hand job for you and yer family of four that's gonna cost you a bunch...

Okay, maybe the kids get feree hand jobs... That just mean you and th ol' lady gotta pay fir 'um... Let's see??? According to the Wes Ginny Slide Rule the tour and hand jobs fir you and the wife is still gonna cost a pretty penny...

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 06:03 PM

Yeah, but then tour guides givin' ya' a hand job in the dark was pretty special.................

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 05:46 PM

Nice pics, Spawz...

Oh yeah, stay the heck away from the Roanoke/Salem area during their rush hour...

We don't have one in Luray... Might of fact there ain't no rush of any kind in Luray...

Yo, Eb... The Caverns doesn't have tour guides anymore... They give you this hand held device that you carry around with you that tells you all the same stuff...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:36 PM

Try to get a convertible or at least a sunroof to drive.
At night it sounds as good as it looks by day.
Go slow at night since the wildlife uses the roads.
You might find that the twists and turns makes you feel you are gong in the opposite direction from time to time.
Be sure to have an adaquate zoom camera for the valley vistas.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Mrrzy
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:18 PM

I live in Charlottesville, it's about 20 mn away; we go at least yearly, mostly leaf-peeping in the fall. We usually do the same part (from I64 South one stage), and we are in the part that you don't have to pay to get in. There are parts that you pay to drive. Are you going to make it this far North?

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 04:13 PM

Speaking of the Luray Caverns, we used to go there when I was a teener. Still makes me smile to remember when the guide says to everybody: "Now we're going to turn off the lights and it will be real dark. So black that you can't see your hand in front of your face. But if anyone is afraid of the dark, just close your eyes."

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: RangerSteve
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:49 PM

At the northern end, there's a stretch of road that has steep drops on both sides. You don't dare take your eyes off the road. Otherwise, just take your time, stop at as many overlooks as you can, it's one of the few roads where everything is nice.

Try not to be in the Roanoke, Va area around 4pm. People use the BRP to commute to and from work, and there are yuppies out there who have to get home NOW, and do not have to obey the speed limit because they are yuppies, and you will be tailgated, because it's the right of all yuppies to tailgate you. It's the only thing that's wrong with the BRP.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:33 PM

TRY THIS for a photographer who has a great eye for Appalachian flora and fauna.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,Neil D
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 03:25 PM

If you have the time and are reasonably fit hike some of the trails.
From the overlooks you get beatiful vistas but from the trails you get a close up look at the flora and fauna, just as spectacular in its own way. There are some wonderful streams and waterfalls to behold. The trails are rated for degree of difficulty. Take a camera and lots of film (or memory cards).

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jul 09 - 09:29 AM

Also, Bobert was workin' buck nekkid ('cept fer his red rubber boots) while he wuz puttin' up the fence. It's awful hot there. As he works the P-vine sits in the shade on the porch and squirts him with a hose ever now an' then. She's bin tryin' to git him to use some soap too cuz this is the only bath he gits each year, lessen he falls in the crick.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 07:51 PM

Ahhhh, daylia... If ya checked out the farm I apologoize fir the mess but we're in midst of deer fencing another 3 acreas around our house and pond and the joint is kinda a construction site... It usually is neat and tidy but there ain't no neat and tidy way of doing this job...

If ya make it to Luray, give us a holler...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 11:24 AM

Exactly, in the autumn it is bumper to bumper and you can't take your eyes off the road.

Oh, I forgot to mention, in those mountainous regions of the Southeast it rains every day at 3pm. Like clockwork. (I hear it is also like this in Miami, so mountains may not be a necessary component). Heavy downpour for 30 minutes or so, then it's over. And then it's humid as hell for a while. Next morning is cooler and beautiful, but as the day heats and the evaporation from the landscape continues you get that moisture buildup and again at 3pm it pours.

Just so you know.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Maryrrf
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:26 AM

It might be a good thing that you're not going in the autumn. It's lovely in the spring and summer on the BRP, stunning in the fall when the leaves are changing, but it can get very crowded.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,Janie
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 10:04 AM

daylia, if you are going to also go to Raleigh? If so, pm me. You will be within spitting distance of me. (and also Dani.)

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: daylia
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 09:59 AM

PS -- just for a chuckle -- My son was transferred to Raleigh in April, hasn't been back since. In fact, he's never been outside Canada this long before. When I asked if there's anything he wants me to bring from the Great White North when I come, he said "Ya. Would you please pack a tin of Tim Horton's coffee in your luggage?" oooo a Canuck through and though hahahahahaha!

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: daylia
Date: 14 Jul 09 - 09:34 AM

Whoo hooo! Hillbilly agriculture is my absolute fav - will do, Bobert! I hope with 3 days, two nights to travel we can make it as far north as the Luray Caverns and back (to Raleigh). They're breathtaking - like the ancient caves in Dauphine, France. Says there's a 'stalacpipe organ' there that plays real music from the formations - hmm, the Rock plays Bach?    :)   Also says the temperature in the caves never goes above 54 Fahrenheit. Sounds like a welcome break from the seasonal average. My son said it was 36 deg in Raleigh yesterday. That's over 100 F   8-) wow   guess I won't be needing me mukluks and parka

Bobert, thanks for the primer in hillbilly geography, much appreciated! I can actually orient myself on the maps, using Google Earth now. In fact, I could zoom in exactly 9 miles east of Luray if I wanted to ... hey, I could prolly even see your backyard!! Gonna try, your warned!   ;)

SRS, those links are great and your suggestions much appreciated. Also your stories bout the razed cabins, and everyone's stories above too! A joy to read this whole thread, though I've just had time to skim so far. THe rest of today is dedicated to studying the links and places mentioned above. I'm thinkin -- if we take a faster route from Raleigh north to Elkwood Virginia, then a much more leisurely pace through Sklyine Drive and the Parkway South, we might be able to see most of the best...

I found an Appalachian music museum, even a Mountain Music Jamboree   ooo, bona fide Bluegrass music! And the classic car shows near Asheville would be great to see, too      as well as the hiking and photography of course
If I didn't have time to respond to you personally here please don't think I didn't read and appreciate your posts, I have and will and do! SEnding my son the link to this thread, will check back later. Thanking you all very much for your contributions, and the Mudcat too for hosting it, you're wonderful!

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 10:19 PM

Yeah, and his "farm" grows some dynamite "crops."

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 08:08 PM

If ya' come to see the Luray Caverns then PM me... Our farm is 9 miles south east of Luray...

Ummm, as fir driving the BR P-Way as a means of getting anywhere, pass... It's a slow go... Nice for the views but 35 mph is about tops as an average...

Pick yer stretches...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 05:02 PM

Try to take in some caverns. Luray Caverns are lovely.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/default_1.htm

Already mentioned but I am seconding, Blue Ridge Parkway North: Rockfish Gap to Roanoke - Rockfish Gap VA Scenic Drive
http://www.allgetaways.com/view_destination.asp?destinationid=XFA130-006

Be especially careful on curvy descents if it has rained or drizzled after a long dry period.   In those conditions, the roads are slicker 'n goose shit on slate on a dewy morning. Don't ask how I know.

Too bad you aren't going in late September early October. The autumn colours are stunning.

Sigh... missing home again.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Barry Finn
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:23 PM

Damn, I've driven the length of the BR Parkway 3 times on my way out to the west coast. Each time I was pressed to drive as far as I could till I hit the Mississippi River. I always wanted to see the Blue Ridge so my plan was to drive till I couldn't go farther (always starting from Boston). Then the next morning I'd awake in the mountains & I could spend the morning doing the senic route. Every time I woke I was at the southern end of the range & instead of driving through the range I always ended up driving out of the range.
ARRRRRRR

Barry

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,Charmion at work, no cookie
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 04:02 PM

Heading south from Front Royal on Skyline Drive, it might have been on our honeymoon (1998), in a 1986 VW Golf with a very hard-working Diesel engine, a manual transmission and elderly brakes, I darned near went over the edge when I glanced to the left and saw an eagle flying by, it seemed nearly close enough to touch, right at eye level. It was a bald eagle. A-mazing.

We got off the Parkway to head west on a nicely paved, perfectly sound little road to Lexington, Virginia. The descent felt like a one in four grade (although I'm sure it wasn't quite that steep), and the smell of burning brakes (ours) was really quite noticeable. The run-off ramps for runaway 18-wheelers were frequent, and I was very grateful to reach the bottom without needing one.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Royston
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:57 PM

By the way,

If anyone is ever on I95 for the long-haul, I recommend an overnight break at the Holiday Inn in Tansee, SC. I had the most amazing night there in mid-November. The weather was madness with storms, wind, thunder lightning etc. There were tornados in the region that night, but not in Tansee.

I was going from DC to Orlando and spent a great night eating and drinking at the bar of the hotel with the most brilliant group of travellers that included three feisty ladies of indeterminate age. Two of them were from Cape Cod and had driven to Jacksonville FL to collect their friend and take her back North for a holiday.

Another great character was a guy from West Virginia who still had family and land back home but had married a Floridian and raised a family in Daytona Beach. I go the impression he was a dedicated family man who needed to maintain his personal sanity by regular commutes to WV.

A great evening of rambling conversation between complete strangers was enjoyed by all and the barmaid left me in no doubt that this was par for the course in Tansee!

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Royston
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:42 PM

Stilly River Sage,

That's right, I should have been more clear about that.

Your post reminded me that starting from Roanoake or thereabouts, the BRP heads south and then the journey sort of blends into US441 which, IMHO, is just as marvellous in different ways.

I can't tell you what my trip through Georgia, the Carolinas and Appalachia meant to me at the time last year. As an outsider, it opened my eyes to America and the best that it, and Americans, can be.

I am a keen walker and I am totally resolved to come back, on foot, and spend a few weeks on the Appalachian trail.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:28 PM

Clingman's Dome is in the Great Smoky Mountains NP, and quite a hefty detour from the Blue Ridge parkway.

Blue Ridge, Skyline Drive, Shenandoah, etc.

Great Smoky Mountains NP (huge file)

Some friends of mine from a park I worked at years ago had a son who worked in Washington D.C., and in his spare time hiked in the Skyline Drive/Blue Ridge area. He found an old cabin that the NPS missed when, years ago, they decided that if this was a wilderness or natural area then all signs of human habitation must be destroyed. The fools razed dozens of historic old cabins made of the huge logs that were found in the area. They missed a few, and he researched and wrote about one. I have the book somewhere but I can't find it. It was self-published, or maybe by the Eastern Parks and Monuments group that stocks visitor centers in many National Parks.

Here is a report that might have similar kinds of information: Brinegar Cabin. Reading ahead of the trip about some of the people in the area or things they built is a great way to go in with an eye to the landscape and the people on it.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Rapparee
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 03:12 PM

Right up near Big Meadows, huh, Bobert? Why, son, I know that country. My in-laws used to own some acres down on Naked Creek on Grindstone Mountain.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bobert
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 01:08 PM

Hillbilly Geography 101

First of all the Blue Ridge Parkway don't even come close to Wes Ginny... Unless you consider 100 miles or so close...

The Blue Ridge Parkway starts (or ends) at Skyline Drive which runs north and South between Front Royal (north) to Rt 33 intersection (south) which is about 6 miles east of Elkton, Va.... From that interestction the Blue Ridge Parkway runs south into North Carolina... I think it ends around Ashville, NC but I wouldn't swear to it...

Now seein' as yer going to be in North Carolina you won't have to worry much about running into this ol' hillbiily 'cause I live just west of Skyline Drive and about half way up the mountain and just down from Big Meadows Lodge... We're tucked into a "holler" so even if you put a quarter in the bonnoculars the a ridge will block you from spyin' on me... Now there is one place along the drive, if you climb this certain tree with yerown bonnoclars you might get a glimpse but let me assure you that it ain't worth it...

However, seein' as you will be in NC, I'd recommend Boone, Banner Elk and Blowing Rock... Lotta nice sceneries between up and lotta cool shops, especially in Blowing Rock...

BTW, my sister-in-law has a cabin outside of Boone and we spend a little time there once or twice a year...

Warnings: watch for deer because they are unintellegent animals and don't realize what happens when they get run over by yer car... Espcially at night when their collective IQs dip below zero... Might of fact, don't even drive on the Parkway at night... Nuthin' to see at all except deer trying to get you to run them over...

That's about it...

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 01:00 PM

Spaw,

Me too.

Daylia

I've been on the Skyline Drive part many times over several decades. It never disappoints. Don't be in a hurry. Stop and every scenic overlook until you OD on magnificent vistas.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Rabbi-Sol
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 12:27 PM

Make sure that you take the drive up to the summit of Mt. Mitchel which is the highest peak east of the Misissippi River. The scenery is spectacular.

Also, the motel at Peaks Of The Otter Lodge is a very clean and peaceful place to stay. It overlooks a very tranquil lake. While there make sure that you take the excursion to the summit of Sharptop.

It is not a very difficult road to drive no matter what type of a vehicle you have. In all my years being in the tour business I have made the trip many times in a charter coach which is 45 feet long. As long as you observe the speed limit you should not have any problem.

Subject: RE: BS: The Blue Ridge Parkway
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 13 Jul 09 - 12:20 PM

A little bonus of driving on the BRP is that a lot of antique and customized car clubs hold gatherings and conventions in places like Asheville during the summer. The lower Parkway speed limits give owners a great place to cruise. I drove the stretch near Asheville about 20 years back while a Pierce-Arrow owners' club was meeting and their cars were all over the place. I drove up there for the scenery, but the cars were a big plus.