| Bob Brown |
Jul 23rd, 2000 01:44 PM |
Hi Kaye. If you want to do the whole thing, I have several opinions. Bear in mind this is my "take" on it. <BR>Although I have spent many hours on various sections of the parkway, I have never driven the whole length of it in one trip. But, over the last 38 years, I have covered all of it more than once. <BR>The Parkway starts at mile 0 where the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah NP ends. <BR>US 250 from Charlottesville and Waynesboro Va cross near the 0 mile post. <BR>The initial part of the Parkway to me is the least interesting, although it is not without scenic value. <BR>In this initial portion, the area called Peaks of Otter is interesting. <BR>Roanoke Mountain, southeast of Roanoke Virginia has some scenic views on a mountain drive. Rocky Know also is pretty. <BR>The first point of real interest to me is Mabry Mill at milepost 176. The recreation of the old mill built by John Mabry is fascinating as well as historic. From there south, interest begins to pick up at Cumberland Knob and Daughton Park, mile 240. Bluffs Lodge is a most peaceful place to spend the night if you can get a room. The lodge overlooks a cow pasture, complete with cows, and a trail leads to a mockup of an old whisky still. The National Park Service, in its infinite wisdom, removed some of the vital parts of the style in deference to local preachers who feared that showing a fully operational still would induce people to become moonshiners by giving them the necessary instruction!! (As we all know there is absolutely no moonshining at all in any part of North Carolina because of such activist programs!!) <BR> <BR>After you leave Doughton (pronounced like doubt)park, things really start to get interesting. Near the resort town of Blowing Rock, there is the Moses H. Cone center that now exhibits and sells genuine handicraft articles. Nearby, you come to Price Park and lake. <BR>Thereafter, you traverse the newest section of the Parkway -- the Lynn Cove Viaduct around Grandfather Mountain. The viaduct is something of an engineering marvel and is worth a look. <BR>Then you come to the scenic Linville Falls, which are worth a detour and hike to the view points. Take the trails on the right bank (as you go down stream) because these lead to the best viewpoints. <BR>Later on you come to the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, which is worth a look. Then you soon come to Crabtree Meadows, mile 332-339. The chief attraction here is Crabtree Falls, which are reached via a trail that is a little steep coming back. But our friends with their 3 year old daughter made it fine. <BR>After Crabree, you enter the highest sections of the Parkway. Mount Mitchell state park can be reached on a spur road. This of course is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, and is well worth a detour on a clear day. <BR>Close to Mount Mitchell, lies Craggy Gardens. This area is best in late June with the rhodendron are in bloom. But any time the rocky pinnacle gives a stunning view of the area. <BR>About mile 380 (and that is an approximation) you pass the Folk Art Center which has a beautiful collection of mountain crafts. Beautiful items are on sale such as jewelry, quilts, shawls, and all sorts of candles, candle holders, and many other items. <BR>After passing Ashville, at mile 408 you come to Mount Pisgah, with its fine motel. If you can get reservations there, do so. It is a nice place to stay along that section of the parkway. <BR>From Pisgah to the Smokies is my favorite part. You pass such attractions as Graveyard Fields, Devil's Courthouse, and Waterock Knob. The elevation here at times is over 6,000 feet which gives a wide variety of terrain and scenic views. <BR>Well, that is a quick overview. I suggest you get a good guide book and read up on what interests you. But I think you will enjoy the trip. It could take you 3 to 4 days to make the journey.
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