Ever since I have seen the Lynn cove viaduct, I wanted to drive through the great Blue Ridge Pkwy.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is noted for its scenic beauty. The parkway, is about for 469 miles (755 km) through 29 Virginia & North Carolina counties, linking Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains Park. It runs mostly along the spine of the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains.
The parkway has been one of the most visited unit of the National Park System every year since 1946.
It was a remarkable journey of lifetime, so sharing the same here in detail. Driving the whole 469 miles was really difficult, so we chose half of it started from mile 290 at Blowing Rock & finished till 469 mile.
It was 3 days trip excluding the to & fro journey from New York City.
Day 1:
We started our Journey from New York, Had an evening flight to Charlotte from New JFK Airport. Stayed over night at Charlotte, a normal motel near Charlotte Airport.
Day 2:
Checked out from the Hotel & took a rental car from Enterprise from the Charlotte Airport. We started driving towards Bowing Block, one of the entry point of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway was really great. There are lot attractions on the Roads.One can see lot of symbols on the curb of the road as an sign for what attraction is waiting for you next.
We covered most of them as much as possible. You can’t cover everything. Each & every turn of Blue ridge parkway will present you a unique beauty. Like Flat Top Manor, Linn Cove Viaduct, Grandfather Mountain, Linville Falls, etc.
Day 3:
We stayed in a hotel near the Black Mountains.
Next day early morning we started & covered below attractions on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Little Switzerland, Craggy Gardens, Mt. Mitchel, Folk Art Center, Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center etc.
The parkway goes through a variety of elevation. Here I am at the Highest elevation. It was a great feelings being there.
Day 4:
Day 3 was really hectic & tiring, but still we woke up early & started to finish the rest of it.
We drove till the last miles of it. The drive through the clouds, amidst the deep forest was mind blowing. It was a journey of a lifetime. We visited Mt. Pisgah, Looking Glass rock Overlook, Richard Balsam, Balsam Gap & so many other over looks. The most beautiful was the Waterrock Knob
Day 5:
It was really a Journey of Lifetime. The last 3-4 days was amazing. Just like far from the madding crowd, daily work, life. The drive was so good & peaceful. We explored lot of trails, new culture specially in Ashville the small town where we stayed at night.
Finally Journey back to the New York City.
