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Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway 03/23 - 03/30

Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway 03/23 - 03/30

Old Mar 5th, 2013, 01:24 PM
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Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway 03/23 - 03/30

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, hope you guys can point me in the right direction.

Start March 23rd, I'm planning a week long family trip to the Skyline Driver and Blue Ridge Parkway. We'll be driving up from Jacksonville, FL. This trip will be relaxing, no hurry and if a week is not enough, we'll continue it some other time.

The only thing we would like to visit are a couple of winerys, caves, short hikes to waterfalls, popular landmarks. I would like this to be a trip the kids can enjoy. Maybe canoe or kayak, other activies for them.

If you were to do a trip like this, how would you do it? Can you recommend sites to visit? I'm just starting my research on the web.

Thanks in advance,

Joe
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 02:12 PM
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Just off BRP is Luray Caverns, which are very interesting for the kids.

We saw a bear very near the road the last time we were there, he was flipping over rocks and eating the bugs and grubs that were under them.
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 02:14 PM
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Monticello (Thomas Jefferson home)
Ashlawn Highland (James Monroe home)
Montpelier (James Madison home)

Luray Caverns

Plenty of things to do in Shenandoah National Park. Perhaps have a meal a Big Meadows Lodge Dining Room

Are you starting in Great Smoky's and going all the way or what?
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 02:53 PM
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Plan is to start north and drive south. Also get a couple days of horseback riding.
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 03:42 PM
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With the present weather issues for the parkway, here is a handy website to check out road conditions and closures real time when you are there:
http://www.virtualblueridge.com/closures/
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 03:44 PM
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Make sure you have a back-up plan. We planned to spend two days hiking the BRP in October, but it was closed both days.
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 04:31 PM
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Here are other helpful links that include opening dates (the majority of NPS facilities do not open until April or May) for Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway:

http://www.virtualblueridge.com/park...ning_dates.asp

http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...g-schedule.htm

At this time of year, weather can change quickly, especially at those elevations. When going on hikes wear proper clothing and take the time to plan properly.
http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisi...CP_JUMP_143421

Luray Caverns is open daily all year.
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Old Mar 5th, 2013, 06:04 PM
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There will be a good bit of snow falling on the Skyline Drive over the next few days. Check with this website or call the number listed before driving up to find out that the highway is closed. http://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/hours.htm
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Old Mar 11th, 2013, 08:39 AM
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Thanks everyone for your replies.

I'll continue to monitor the weather up there. If roads begin to close, I'll have to be ready for Plan B.
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