Guess, over the years we've come across the Blue Ridge Parkway at least some 6 times.
When our foster-daughter Anita was staying with us, we tried to drive a segment of it and I ended up driving with my head sticking out of the window due to heavy fog so we left it first opportunity.
We did drive a segment again with my sister Diny and her significant other and then the times we went back and forth to Pennsylvania to move, for visits back to Georgia and visits back to our Jewish friends in Delaware.
On October 28, we'd planned to depart early after breakfast, from our Log Cabin in Tennessee.
BUT again, it was way too foggy for driving through the mountains!
So here we are, after all those years, again waiting till the sun came to chase away the dense fog.
Around noon time we'd reached the beginning of BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Sunshine as you can see!
This was around 12:38 and look at that blue sky - we got SO lucky and the fall colors were spectacular.
View Haw Creek Valley at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 m) and from where we stood it was 2720 feet (829 m) at MP 380 (MP = Mile Post)
Taken at the same spot, just giving an overview of what we saw.
My Pieter is color blind but he's red/green disturbed and luckily the colors were mainly yellow and golden so he too could fully enjoy this!
Only 10 minutes later view of Bull Creek Valley
At 13:01 we view Black Mountain, North Carolina with the view of LANE PINNACLE where the elevation is 5230 feet (1594 m) and from where we stood 3890 feet (1186 m) at MP 372.1
It was named for Charles Lane, who owned the land in the early 1800s.
Such a golden 'autumn carpet'...
Here we are at Craggy Gardens near Barnardsville, North Carolina at 13:20 and MP 364.2
You fail to drink it all in!
MP 364 Craggy Gardens
Nature's garden flourishes on these high slopes. Rhododendrons blanket the mountains in pink in early summer. Wildflowers bloom along hiking trails.
Incredible views all the time and no doubt in May those Rhododendrons make a fabulous color show!
Pisgah National Forest, Burnsville, North Carolina at 13:54 with RIDGE JUNCTION OVERLOOK elevation 5160 feet (1573 m) at MP 355.3
A view of the Black Mountains and into South Toe Valley...
Pisgah National Forest, Burnsville, North Carolina at 14:05 at GREEN KNOB OVERLOOK elevation 4760 feet (1451 m) at MP 350.4 with on the left Mount Mitchell 6684 ft or 2037 m (highest point east of the Mississippi River) see map below
Pisgah National Forest near Burnsville, North Carolina just to give you an idea of how this Blue Ridge Parkway looked with its golden fall colors.
We also got to see deer, both does and a buck with antlers.
And a group of wild turkeys paraded in front of us, crossing 'their' territory!
In order to make some progress we had to quit stopping at every overlook...
This is Blue Ridge Parkway at Linn Cove Viaduct from boulder viewpoint just click and click through
MP 304 Linn Cove Viaduct
Looming above the viaduct, Grandfather Mountain is home to more rare plant and animal species than any mountain east of the Rockies.
The viaduct was engineered to protect this beautiful but fragile area.
Stop at the visitor center to learn how this engineering marvel was built.
With Pieter's heart condition there was no hiking involved, we only walked a short trail near the Craggy Gardens overlook.
You can spend weeks on end here if you are in for hiking and visiting more!
We did see lots of motorcycles on the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the narrow road, that must be an excellent way for traveling.
Riding The Blue Ridge Parkway just click and click through...
My short Relive video: The Blue Ridge Parkway's Visitor Center's address on the website was not accurate so I had to make a detour in order to get to Entering Blue Ridge Parkway
Total of 684.9 km or 425.6 mi for the entire day.
Starting out from our Log Cabin in Tennessee on Highway and also Interstate, hence the high(er) speed!
You find the first photo from Entering Blue Ridge Parkway. Last section is also not on Blue Ridge but we went to our Hyatt Place in Roanoke, Virginia for the night.
Relive is doing the same as most pre-set GPS systems in cars; not showing true compass direction 🧭
We traveled all day to the north and NOT to the south!
Correct Address for GPS: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center near Asheville, N.C.
Time in previous image includes also the non-driving time with all stops for gas. visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway's Visitor Center for maps and brochures, lunch stop etc.
At one overlook stop I made a wrong turn also... it is very hard to stay focussed on this route as the Mile Posts are hardly noticeable and there is NO other sign! Would be great if each parking at an overlook had at least North and South signs... At least there were plenty of Restrooms!
Stay tuned for the next part.
Wishing those in the Far East and Down Under a Happy New Year coming their way soon!
Good Health for ALL
BUT again, it was way too foggy for driving through the mountains!
So here we are, after all those years, again waiting till the sun came to chase away the dense fog.
Around noon time we'd reached the beginning of BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY
Sunshine as you can see!
View Haw Creek Valley at an elevation of 2100 feet (640 m) and from where we stood it was 2720 feet (829 m) at MP 380 (MP = Mile Post)
My Pieter is color blind but he's red/green disturbed and luckily the colors were mainly yellow and golden so he too could fully enjoy this!
It was named for Charles Lane, who owned the land in the early 1800s.
Such a golden 'autumn carpet'...
You fail to drink it all in!
Nature's garden flourishes on these high slopes. Rhododendrons blanket the mountains in pink in early summer. Wildflowers bloom along hiking trails.
Incredible views all the time and no doubt in May those Rhododendrons make a fabulous color show!
Pisgah National Forest, Burnsville, North Carolina at 13:54 with RIDGE JUNCTION OVERLOOK elevation 5160 feet (1573 m) at MP 355.3
We also got to see deer, both does and a buck with antlers.
And a group of wild turkeys paraded in front of us, crossing 'their' territory!
This is Blue Ridge Parkway at Linn Cove Viaduct from boulder viewpoint just click and click through
Looming above the viaduct, Grandfather Mountain is home to more rare plant and animal species than any mountain east of the Rockies.
The viaduct was engineered to protect this beautiful but fragile area.
Stop at the visitor center to learn how this engineering marvel was built.
With Pieter's heart condition there was no hiking involved, we only walked a short trail near the Craggy Gardens overlook.
You can spend weeks on end here if you are in for hiking and visiting more!
Riding The Blue Ridge Parkway just click and click through...
Starting out from our Log Cabin in Tennessee on Highway and also Interstate, hence the high(er) speed!
You find the first photo from Entering Blue Ridge Parkway. Last section is also not on Blue Ridge but we went to our Hyatt Place in Roanoke, Virginia for the night.
Relive is doing the same as most pre-set GPS systems in cars; not showing true compass direction 🧭
We traveled all day to the north and NOT to the south!
Correct Address for GPS: Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center near Asheville, N.C.
Time in previous image includes also the non-driving time with all stops for gas. visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway's Visitor Center for maps and brochures, lunch stop etc.
At one overlook stop I made a wrong turn also... it is very hard to stay focussed on this route as the Mile Posts are hardly noticeable and there is NO other sign! Would be great if each parking at an overlook had at least North and South signs... At least there were plenty of Restrooms!
Stay tuned for the next part.
Wishing those in the Far East and Down Under a Happy New Year coming their way soon!
Good Health for ALL
Related link:
Our 2nd Cabin Stay at the Hill on Cherokee Lake | previous post by me
SO Proud of my NONAGENARIAN | previous post by me
Our Cabin Stay at The Hill by Cherokee Lake in Tennessee | previous post by me
A lovely trip and great memories Mariette.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and Pieter a wonderful and healthy 2020.
Dearest Sami,
DeleteYes, those are certainly great memories!
Hope that your family time also was a good one.
Thanks for your wishes for 2020 and the very same for you and yours!
Hugs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedas war ein herrliche Tour, herzlichen Dank für die tollen bilder!
Ich wünsche Dir einen zauberhaften Wochenstart!
Falls wir uns morgen nicht mehr lesen, wünsche ich Dir und Pieter einen guten Rutsch in ein gutes, gesundes und freundliches Neues Jahr!
♥️ Allerliebste Grüße,Claudia ♥️
Liebe Claudia,
DeleteJa stimmt das es eine herrliche Tour war, voller Sonne und die besten goldenen Herbstfarben.
So möchte auch ich mit Neunzig noch herumgefahren werden!
Ja ein schöner Silvester Abend und ein Glückliches und Gesundes 2020.
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteherzlichen Dank für deinen schönen Post.
Alles Liebe
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteGerne und so kann ich noch viele mitnehmen auf Reisen die sonst nicht weg kommen.
Liebe Grüße zum Silvesterabend morgen!
Mariette
Beautiful memories. Happy New year!
ReplyDeleteDearest Anne,
DeleteIndeed beautiful and very special memories.
Hugs and happy New Year's Eve to you and a healthy 2020!
Mariette
Dearest Agnes,
ReplyDeleteThank you and yes, this sure is Nature at its BEST!
Hugs,
Mariette
Prachtig!!! Wij zijn nu "Outlander" aan het kijken, en seizoen 4 speelt zich ongeveer daar af, in de Blue mountains (toch?) In die serie kijken ze ook vaak vanaf een mooi
ReplyDeleteuitkijkpunt zo over de bergen...een machtig gezicht is dat. Moet er telkens aan denken dat jullie daar ergens gereden hebben.
Beste Marian,
DeleteWij hebben Outlander nog nooit gezien, hebben heel weinig films gekeken door al onze reizen. Maar heb even gekeken. Het is in Schotland gefilmd maar het zou voor seizoen 4 inderdaad North Carolina moeten zijn. Weet niet waar want de staat is groot. https://parade.com/962428/lesley_chen/outlander-filming-locations/
Nee, Bleu Mountains heb je in Australië, waar wij reden was de Blue Ridge Mountains en die zijn onderdeel van de Appalachian Mountain range en strekken zich over verschillende staten uit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ridge_Mountains
In Schotland waren we nog niet, ja enkel in het zuidelijk deel maar niet in de bergen, zou wel mooi geweest zijn en we houden beiden van ruig en natuur!
Liefs,
Mariette
Die bedoel ik ook, de Bleu Ridge Mountains. Foutje van mijn kant.
ReplyDeleteHeb ook even gegoogeld, en nee, het is niet daar 'bij jullie'. Ze spelen North Carolina in Schotland...Het was te duur om alles te verplaatsen.
ReplyDeleteBeste Marian,
DeleteJa, een film locatie helemaal authentiek houden is vaak een puur kosten-plaatje en wordt ook daarom op een 'gelijkende' plaats gefilmd. Maar mooi is het op beide locaties!
Liefs,
Mariette
All the photos are awesome and made me wish I could see this place in person, not going to happen though
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you and glad you could travel along, even though it was not in person but you got all the sights.
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a nice trip on the mountains and the beautiful views you have captured with your camera. I admire you both for being so active and congratulations to Pieter for climbing up the top! He looks so fit, anyway!!! I have also read your posts about both your stays at the log cabin. You are lucky to be able to make so interesting trips!
I wish you a very nice New Year's Eve and may the new year bring you good health and many happy moments together.
Many hugs!
Marie-Anne
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteThank you for your comment and glad you enjoyed it.
Pieter did not do any climbing this time... that was from a previous trip and thank goodness, we got that under our belt!
The log cabin stays are very special and above all the warmth received by Donna and her almost blind and deaf son.
Wishing you also a happy New Year and may New Year's Eve be peaceful.
Hugs,
Mariette
What a wonderful trip! Glad you got to drive under the blue sky after you went through some trips in the deep fog before. The blue sky, and the golden autumn colors are spectacular! I’d like to go to Blue Ridge Pkwy some day and hopefully it will be a fine day :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year’s Eve, Mariette, and I hope the New Year will be filled with happiness, joy, laughter, good health, and fun trips :-)
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteThank you and yes, this was a wonderful trip that we managed to do in 2019. It could not have been better that day, regardless the later start due to heavy fog.
Wishing you both + fur babies a very Happy New Year and may New Year's Eve be not too noisy for the boys... and our girls & boys.
Hugs,
Mariette
A really beautiful area. It's great that you were finally able to explore and enjoy. My aunt and cousins live in the mountains of North Carolina, an hour and a half from Asheville. Happy New Year's Eve!
ReplyDeleteDearest Tammy,
DeleteWell, of all the mountains, those high peaks in North Carolina were the very best!
So your aunt and cousins do live in a breathtaking area, though colder in winter time.
Happy New Year's Eve and may 2020 be good to you and yours!
Hugs,
Mariette
Che l'anno nuovo possa riempire la tua vita con felicità, gioia, prosperità e che possa realizzare tutti i tuoi sogni.
ReplyDeleteUn augurio per te è quello di trovare sempre l'alba anche quando arriva l'imbrunire.
Buon 2020!
Caro Giancarlo,
DeleteSì, non vediamo l'ora di andare al meglio in ogni anno! Ma abbiamo ottenuto entrambi, 2019 è stato uno con tanto di azione...
Buon anno a te e al tuo.
Abbracci
Mariette
Hello Mariette, What a wonderful trip this was--each view is stunning, and once comes after the other! You an Pieter certainly are not the type to sit at home when such adventure awaits!
ReplyDelete--Jim
p.s. I agree with you that so many road signs could be easily improved with little effort--I wonder why the problems remain!
Dearest Jim,
DeleteYes, it was a memorable trip for both of us and quite stunning views along the entire trip.
No, we always have been quite aggressive at getting things done - no regrets for not being a procrastinator.
Guess the main flaw with road signs worldwide is that they are being designed and placed by the locals that know their way around very well. Quite different for any foreigner...
Hugs,
Mariette
Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteDearest R's Rue,
DeleteThank you and the very same to you and yours.
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh gosh, the Blue Ridge Parkway is spectacular! I've not had the pleasure of walking it or seeing it up close, only from the windows of a bus!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Mariette! Hope it's a great year for you and Pieter!
Dearest Debbie,
DeleteWell you have several chances at certain intersections to get onto the Blue Ridge Parkway during its entire length over several states. But walking it would be an overwhelming task... you cannot even carry the water needed on such extensive journey.
We have seen lots of motor bikes while driving it but no buses and it would be tricky to drive one on the narrow road.
Happy New Year and we're eager to see what it will bring us!
Hugs,
Mariette
We once left QC in Oct to Fl..took the BRP and hit snow!!!Jacques was in shirts it had been much milder in QC!
ReplyDeleteDearest Monique,
DeleteOh, the weather can get crazy at times! We had my Dutch friends over in June and it was so windy and cold, she did not bring any jackets... Only once in 36 years we saw that!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hier konnte ich letztes Jahr gar nicht gucken, liebe Mariette. Aber manchmal schaffe ich es, ins Archiv zu schauen. Das sind ja prächtige Farben! Und dieser Himmel!!!
ReplyDeleteMeine Mutti konnte im Alter auch nicht mehr alles sehen, früher hatte sie jedoch "Adler"augen.
Tolle Impressionen, auch wie die Straße den bewaldeten Berg umwindet! Von solch herrlichen Eindrücken kann man den Winter über zehren.
Viele liebe Grüße auch hier
Sara
Liebe Sara,
DeleteJa schade das du nicht rein kommen könntest...
Diese Reise war ja auch so super mit dem Wetter und alles. Und nur einigen Tagen später war die ganze Strecke einfach abgesperrt wegen gefallene Bäume vom Tornado. Wir hatten Gott sei Dank ein Par Tage gebucht im Hotel damit ich auch mal ausruhen konnte. Am vormittag noch den Garten von Monticello besuchen können. Danach noch die Skyline Drive fahren können mit Sonne. Und nun kann auch keiner irgendwo hin...
Liebe Grüße,
Mariette