Blue Ridge Parkway: We FINALLY got up the nerve to go somewhere. Hadn't done so since the COVID thing got going. We are too old to risk catching anything, let alone COVID!! But, we...

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

We FINALLY got up the nerve to go somewhere. Hadn't done so since the COVID thing got going. We are too old to risk catching anything, let alone COVID!! But, we went and I must say the experience was quite different than it normally would be. Next time, maybe back to normal?

So, here are some photos on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. One of my personal favorite places to visit any time of the year, but especially in the Fall.

First stop: Mabry Mill

When Edwin Boston Mabry (1867-1936) built his water powered mill in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, he had no way of knowing it would become one of the most photographed places in the United States. The mill, on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 176.1, draws several hundred thousand visitors each year. The gristmill and sawmill have been restored by park naturalists so visitors might see live exhibits, a real mill, and a working miller to demonstrate the milling process.

Mabry Mill
Mabry Mill...

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View from one of the scenic overlooks.

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Some Fall color. Not as vivid as my home state of Michigan, but still nice to see.

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Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Nice set!

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Really hard to beat the BRP in Autumn. Nice images.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Longshadow wrote:

Nice set!

Thanks!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Beautiful tour, thanks for sharing.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

cameraf4 wrote:

Really hard to beat the BRP in Autumn. Nice images.

Yes, BRP is my favorite place to be... anywhere along its length, and anytime of the year... but, especially in the Fall. Happy you liked the photos.

David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA

Very, very nice! I traveled some of the BRP in 2014. Did not see the Mabry Mill, but did see the Pickett Cabin and Rock Castle Gorge. Was in July, so no color but green.

captivecookie Loc: Washington state

Gitchigumi wrote:

We FINALLY got up the nerve to go somewhere. Hadn'... (show quote)

Have probably seen the mill as a puzzle, a calendar, a wall hanging, a postcard, etc. Good pictures.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

As a note to seniors: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park, which means that if you have a Senior Pass ($80* one-time payment for a lifetime pass), you can drive the entire 469 miles for free.

*(The price was $10 until it was increased in 2016. Still, it's a one-time charge and gets you into every national park for nothing more. I gifted myself one on my 60th birthday because it was the best deal going!)

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Gitchigumi wrote:

We FINALLY got up the nerve to go somewhere. Hadn'... (show quote)

Wow! Love the photo of Mabry Hill.

Tom

Tom DePuy Loc: Waxhaw, N.C.

Just Fred wrote:

As a note to seniors: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park, which means that if you have a Senior Pass ($80* one-time payment for a lifetime pass), you can drive the entire 469 miles for free.

*(The price was $10 until it was increased in 2016. Still, it's a one-time charge and gets you into every national park for nothing more. I gifted myself one on my 60th birthday because it was the best deal going!)

Since when did they start charging to drive the BRP???

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Beautiful captures.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Just Fred wrote:

As a note to seniors: The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Park, which means that if you have a Senior Pass ($80* one-time payment for a lifetime pass), you can drive the entire 469 miles for free.

*(The price was $10 until it was increased in 2016. Still, it's a one-time charge and gets you into every national park for nothing more. I gifted myself one on my 60th birthday because it was the best deal going!)

Correction: The Blue Ridge Parkway is FREE! You only need the Senior Pass for The Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive. That is North of I-64. South of I-64 is the Blue Ridge Parkway and it is free all the way to the Southern end.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Tom DePuy wrote:

Wow! Love the photo of Mabry Hill.

Tom

Thanks... it was a great day!

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Tom DePuy wrote:

Since when did they start charging to drive the BRP???

They haven't... The other post was confusing the BRP with the Skyline Drive, which is part of the Shenandoah Park. There, you pay a fee or use the senior pass. But, not needed for the BRP.