The Blue Ridge Parkway is part of the National Park Service and links Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles long and continues through Shenandoah as Skyline drive for another 105 miles.
Shenandoah and Skyline Drive
Shenandoah is north of the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. It lies along the Blue Ridge Mountains. We were here a couple of years ago and stayed in Luray during the spring so it’s nice to see it in the fall.
The Shenandoah National Park opened in 1936. Much has been written about the over 500 families whose land was acquired for the National Park through eminent domain by Virginia. Many were paid for their land and allowed to live and work their properties until they died. Some of their farms and homes can still be seen.
During the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps was involved in building the park.
There were numerous dirt roads to explore.
We stayed at the Walnut Hills RV Resort in Staunton, Virginia. They had 50 amp service, water, ok wifi, and satellite friendly, but no sewer. Seems like every RV park had a halloween event each weekend in October.
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia
Such a beautiful scenic drive.
There were a few remnants of old farms.
Mabry Mill was a gristmill, sawmill, and blacksmith shop originally built in 1903. Its now part of the National Park Service and a photogenic spot.
We stayed at the Fancy Gap RV park. A scenic location right on the Blue Ridge Parkway. We pulled in to face the trees. They had full service and ok wifi. The arrival at the RV park was a bit scary because the last two miles was in dense fog. Good thing the GPS was accurate!
The Blue Ridge Parkway in the Fancy Gap area was very scenic but not yet at peak fall foliage.
Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina
We finally hit peak fall foliage along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Ashville, North Carolina.
The Linville Falls were donated to the National Park Service by John D. Rockefeller. Its a tier waterfall totaling 150 ft. Pictured are the upper falls. The lower falls are a 45 foot drop. Native Americans used the lower falls to execute prisoners.
Colorful tunnels.
The drive was stunning, with hardly anyone else on the road.
There were so many scenic vistas to enjoy the fall colors.
We met a friendly horse and took a family portrait. Jake was preoccupied looking for squirrels.
Marion, North Carolina
The Buck Creek RV Park is in Marion, North Carolina. They had full service, but we couldn’t get satellite because of the trees. We pulled in facing a creek.
The wine selection, charcuterie board, and atmosphere at unWINE’d in Black Mountain, NC was what we were looking for after a long day of sightseeing.
