As I watched from my vista along the Blue Ridge Parkway on an early Sunday morning, the fog rolled through the valley like a slow motion wave on the ocean. The Blue Ridge Mountains held their towering grip over the valleys below, not allowing the advancing mist to creep up its slopes as the sun began to burn through.
Traversing nearly 470 miles up, down and in some cases through the Appalachian Mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America’s most beautiful scenic routes. The route has ending points near Cherokee, North Carolina, and Waynesboro, Virginia. Although it was originally created as a jobs project, the route remains well traveled by those looking for a scenic view of the mountains in the southern United States. It is generally not hard to find your way around the Blue Ridge Parkway. Each mile of the journey has a designated mile marker and most attractions have been noted by the mile marker they are closest to. Also, at each entryway to the Blue Ridge Parkway is a signpost pointing north and south. South will take you toward Cherokee and north toward Waynesboro.
The Blue Ridge Parkway began construction on September 11, 1935. At this point, the United States was struggling to pull itself out of the Great Depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt pushed for a number of different public works and highway infrastructure projects, including the Blue Ridge Parkway. Over the years, construction peaked and slowed, with the last major section completed in 1987, more than 50 years after the first section of road was put down.
As you travel along the Parkway there are many overlooks to pull off the road and enjoy the views, stretch your legs or even go for a hike. Since the Blue Ridge Parkway is owned and operated by the National Park Service (NPS), there are plenty of places where the park service owns adjoining lands to enjoy passive outdoor recreation. Since we’re very fortunate to live so close, I venture up there several times a year to go birding, take some photos or just wander. If you go early in the morning, or late afternoon, you have a good chance of spotting a variety of birds, deer or even Black Bear. With viewscapes looking in many directions, abundant wildlife viewing opportunities and a rich, cultural history, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of America’s most treasured drives! If you find yourself heading down this way, take a few hours to get off the major highways and detour yourself along the tops of the Blue Ridge Mountains! Enjoy!
