Blue Ridge Parkway advice
Nov 14, 2018 06:46:58 #
Grandfather mountain (mile high view) and Linville Falls are within range of the Boon NC. You could spend days trying to see all the views and short hike hidden gems in this area.
Nov 14, 2018 06:51:40 #
fourlocks wrote:
My wife asked me to plan a 1 to 2 week visit to th... (show quote)
I would give AAA in Concord a look see also Google and Youtube. That is going to be a long a$$ trip. For me, I would fly to the closest city in Virginia and rent a car.
Nov 14, 2018 06:52:14 #
cameraf4 wrote:
Don't forget Skyline Drive in VA. Skyland Lodge and Big Meadows are great places to overnight. No B&B on the Parkway but can be found in Blowing Rock, Spruce Pine and, of course, Asheville.
In my view, the eastern half is the most scenic. I have driven most of that and all the western half. You do have to get off the Pkw to get food and beds, but as stated, there are lots of choices. It will get very boring at 30 mph after a few hundred miles, so anticipate taking the Xways back.
Nov 14, 2018 07:17:19 #
CO wrote:
Mabry's mill is a great place to stop for photography. I was there several years ago. If you go there be sure to go to the restaurant there and have their pancake sampler. They have some real Buckwheat pancakes. The batter is actually black in color. Just do a search online for Mabry's mill in Floyd county.
Nov 14, 2018 07:22:33 #
traderjohn wrote:
I would give AAA in Concord a look see also Google and Youtube. That is going to be a long a$$ trip. For me, I would fly to the closest city in Virginia and rent a car.
Not a bad idea...fly into Richmond, VA and you're a two hour drive from I64 & Afton Mountain, that's the beginning of Skyline Drive (as you head north) and the Blue Ridge Parkway (as you go south).
Nov 14, 2018 07:58:05 #
Here is a link to an interactive map that will give you all the information you could possibly want. Warning, it takes several minutes to load.
https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/parkway-map/
https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/parkway-map/
Nov 14, 2018 08:03:01 #
I have driven the Blue Ridge and Skyline many times on motorcycles and in cars. My personal favorite times are in late spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom and in the fall when the leaves are changing but the Smoky Mountains are charming year round. There are innumerable places to take great landscape and wildlife photos. One word of caution: there are no gas stations on either road nor are there any informative signs relating to gas or other services. Watch your gauge and fill up when you can.
Nov 14, 2018 08:09:07 #
fourlocks wrote:
My wife asked me to plan a 1 to 2 week visit to th... (show quote)
I am revisiting my response about flying from Manchester to Virginia. Fly to the Southern end. Rent a car and drive North. Drop the car off in DC spend a couple of days in Washington.
Nov 14, 2018 08:10:53 #
The Blue Ridge Parkway is very nice but I would not pass on the Skyline Parkway. Many years my wife and I would cycle the Parkway from Front Royal VA to Rt. 64 where we would get off and spend the night in Charlottesville which is just off of Rt 64. It is about 100 miles and the speed limit is 35 mph and there are loads of overlooks and stopping spots, hiking trails and rest areas. It is the only place I have ever sat at an overlook and watched a thunder storm below me. They have some really wonderful scenic views.
Nov 14, 2018 08:22:21 #
Mike Fos
Loc: Powhatan Virginia
In downtown Staunton is a great restaurant in the old train station. My wife and I stop there when ever we get over that way.
Nov 14, 2018 08:32:37 #
CanonTom
Loc: Birmingham
I have ridden by motorcycle all of the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as the Skyline Drive just north in Va. You have already gotten more photography recommendations than anyone would have time to fully check out so I will comment on a totally different thing you should pay attention to.
Although I have not been there in several years, the last time I was there the speed limit (this is federal law, not the various states) on the Blue Ridge Parkway was a whopping 45 MPH......AND THEY MEAN IT! 55 MPH would get you a $400 ticket! As indicated, I have not checked recently, but I expect it is still in effect.
This means you will not be able to cover nearly as much real estate as you would like to in a given amount of time especially stopping for pictures. You will see many opportunities for great photos along the way, but take your time and enjoy what you can. IMO, best photo opportunities of landscapes, etc would be in North Carolina. Have a wonderful time.
Although I have not been there in several years, the last time I was there the speed limit (this is federal law, not the various states) on the Blue Ridge Parkway was a whopping 45 MPH......AND THEY MEAN IT! 55 MPH would get you a $400 ticket! As indicated, I have not checked recently, but I expect it is still in effect.
This means you will not be able to cover nearly as much real estate as you would like to in a given amount of time especially stopping for pictures. You will see many opportunities for great photos along the way, but take your time and enjoy what you can. IMO, best photo opportunities of landscapes, etc would be in North Carolina. Have a wonderful time.
Nov 14, 2018 08:35:06 #
years ago, we drove on the Blue Ridge. It was so foggy, we could barely see past the hood of the car. 
Nov 14, 2018 08:39:04 #
Nov 14, 2018 08:42:57 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
In my opinion, some of the best vistas are from the section of the Parkway south of Asheville. A nice place to stay for that part of the pParkway is Bent Creek Lodge, right off the Parkway SSE of Asheville.
Stan
Stan
Nov 14, 2018 08:44:53 #
Don's Leica
Loc: Asheville, NC
We have lived near Asheville for 28 years. Parkway both directions from here gets high in the mountains, with exciting overlooks for photos. It is frequently closed in winter. nps.gov keeps an up-to-date map online showing the open and closed areas. A popular hiking trail called Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs through many of the overlooks, marked by a round white dot on trees or posts.
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