The Blue Ridge Parkway

We just finished an amazing four week trip, camping in Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. The last week was devoted to family events in NY and CT, followed by a beeline drive home to meet family coming to visit us in Florida.

We drove the parts of the Blue Ridge that we hadn't driven before. Although we encountered some hazy and sometimes rainy days, we had a wonderful time. The scenery is incredible... never knowing what amazing vista will open up around the next curve or when you exit the next tunnel.

A few shots before the camera tumbled and broke.... We replaced it in Front Royal at the end of Skyline Drive

Linville River Bridge View

The mountain laurel in bloom

Grandview Overlook

I only have about two or three hundred more to share.... We loved this trip so much we're thinking about doing it again in the fall to see the leaves change... Maybe starting at the top this time and working our way down.

We had hoped to meet up with Tom and Karen (Meanderthal and SheBoss) but timing didn't work out this time... Hopefully, the fall trip will work!

Campgrounds on the Blue Ridge are very simple affairs, but quite pretty and inexpensive. No hookups, but each has a dumpstation and water fill station. Bathrooms range from ok to downright basic, but all of them had flush toilets. (One didn't have lights... just a hook to hang your lantern.) No showers. Cold water only in the sinks. All are open seasonally. Check the "Camping on the Blue Ridge" website before you go for more information and postings on which sections of the road are closed.

Campgrounds on Skyline are more varied... some almost resort style, some quite primitive. I'll try to post more on them later.