riding the Blue Ridge Parkway

[rcmatt007]

Many of you know I live about 28 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, we are near mile marker 165.
Last weekend I took off to ride the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway starts at the southern end of Shenandoah NP and head south (really southwest) until the eastern entrance of Smokie Mountains NP. Well, I say southwest.... except when you are driving west... or northwest.... or north.... or northeast.... or east... or southeast.... and of course south.
Two nights in a small tent proving these nearly 70 year old bones can still camp out.
One sad fact is that some IDIOTS and A-HOLES think of it not as a parkway... but as the Blue Ridge RACEWAY. They score extra idiot points for passing across the double line and triple points if going into a blind turn.
If I had stopped at every vista, it would have been a week trip, but here is a sampling of a two plus day 469 mile drive. (over 900 by the time I got home)
I might add it is not only the flora.... Rhododendrons, flame azaleas, mountain ivy, and leaves so green your eyes almost ache, but also the fauna. LOTS of deer (especially late afternoon), also rabbits, turkey groundhogs and (on another trip) even a bear crossing the road.

DSC_1000.JPG (297.18 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1001.JPG (309.45 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1002.JPG (324.5 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1003.JPG (239.95 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1004.JPG (278.18 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1005.JPG (280.35 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1006.JPG (280.25 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1007.JPG (206.56 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1008.JPG (231.08 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1009.JPG (289.92 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1010.JPG (304.95 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1011.JPG (175.49 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1012.JPG (191.29 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1013.JPG (215.14 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1014.JPG (207.56 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1015.JPG (355.41 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1016.JPG (338.37 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1017.JPG (279.73 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1018.JPG (198.69 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1019.JPG (206.07 KiB) Viewed 886 times

DSC_1020.JPG (293.79 KiB) Viewed 886 times

[Fred Camper]

Beautiful ride, now we understand why the painting was slower. Great excuse and I would do the same.

[rcmatt007]

we are still getting nights in the low 40's. it is summer in the mountains! I still have some grapes that have not started to grow

[Rednaxs60]

On my bucket list

[Rat]

Great ride … camping ?? really ?? better you than me.

Done the BRP a couple of times, would love to do it again…

Gord(no camping though)Jones

[rcmatt007]

I thought my camping days were long over! but managed to survive

[ascot]

Great trip and photos Doc! Thanks for sharing!

[sgwilly]

I particularly like eating at the two restaurants within the Park - Peak of Otter and Mt. Pisgah. Always great food - and a dry/warm place to get out of the rain.

I used to love seeing this sign down by Waterrock Knob. It's been stolen so many times, I'm not sure they even bother to put it up anymore.

OH NO!

pic361_12.JPG (244.47 KiB) Viewed 730 times

[rcmatt007]

Yes that sign is in MANY places

[Halfnaked]

The Blue Ridge and the Skyline drive are some of the prettiest scenery in the East. Nice pics, doc. H
Glad to see you enjoyed it. I hope to make the run one more time. I also love the Cherohala parkway. One more time on that too. Buckrt list!

Bob

[joecoolsuncle]

first time i was out there, i kept wondering why there were mirrors on the trees. then i saw a semi bend a curve like a bassett hound.

[Rat]

On the map it looks like a shortcut … sometimes a rookie trucker gets fooled …
Not a good truck route

Gord

[rcmatt007]

and very clearly marked NO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

[pidjones]

The wife and I enjoy at least part of the BRP each year. Only occasionaly all the way to the Skyline Drive, often to Grandfather Mountain or Maybry Mill. Several times we have stayed at Little Switzerland, Linville Falls, West Jefferson (Park Vista). We usually ride it back to Cherokee and then 441 through GSMNP. Then Little River/Fighting Fish road to the Townsend Wye and on home in about an hour. American treasures close to home!

[rcmatt007]

we are about 35 miles from Maybry mill