Friday, October 7 – We headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the beautiful countryside and the fall colors. We are probably a week or so early for the peak viewing, but the trees are beginning to change and more so at higher altitudes.
Following mountain crests from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smokey Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the gateway to Appalachian country.
The Parkway extends for 469 miles combining awesome natural beauty with the pioneer history of gristmills, weathered cabins, and split rail fences to create the country's most popular National Park area. It is said to be in one days driving distance to half the population of the U.S.A.
We started at Black Mountain, SC, and headed south on the Parkway through dozens of tunnels, winding roads, peaks and valleys. There are so many places to stop and enjoy the beautiful vistas.
We stopped at Sliding Rock Falls where brave souls can slide down the slippery rocks on their butt. Marsha loved the slide! (Just kidding. She would have frozen it off!)
Looking down the slide.
From across the water. It is 8' feet deep.
We stopped for a “Kodak Moment” at Looking Glass Falls. One of the most photographed waterfalls in the United States. The name "Looking Glass" comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and then glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. Steps lead to an observation deck at the bottom of the falls.
We stopped just down the road for a picnic lunch Marsha had packed for us to enjoy.
There was so much to see along this drive! What a beautiful day, and what a beautiful area!
Heading home we decided to take the “back” way. No interstate. Instead we headed on a crooked mountain road that took us through many small towns and dozens of apple markets. This route is not for the faint of heart or those that experience car sickness.
Marsha loved this roadside market. It had tons of stuff for the kids to experience.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see ya'll back real soon. Have a great day!
Beautiful, just beautiful. Love the caterpillar.
ReplyDeleteNice parkway pictures, it is wonderful drive!
ReplyDeleteThe fall colors is one thing we miss about that part of the country. We will be in the area next year.
ReplyDeleteWow sooooo pretty! Take me back to Virginia!
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures of the changing leaves and the waterfalls. You two look great. Seems like Paul has mastered the 'long arm of the camera' very well.'
ReplyDeleteThe colors in the trees are spectacular. Must be quite a sight when they are in 'full bloom'!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh...the Smoky Mountains in the fall...simply the BEST place to be. I wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteNina
Beautiful area putting it on the list.
ReplyDeleteWe love the Blue Ridge Parkway. The colours on the trees are beautiful. Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteKevin and Ruth
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Loved this post! It sounds like a repeat of our travels. The Parkway is beautiful...we are anxious to see it again next week. We,too, hit an apple orchard. This is all coming in our posts today and tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWe seemed to have traveled a very similar pat this year. . .but your timing is much better than ours was. What a gloriously beautiful time to have driven the Parkway.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful, and you are doing a much better job of keeping up with your blog. . .I am SO behind.
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.com