Blueridge Mountains

Grail, Aug 22, 19:18

The Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway extend for 575 miles through the eastern most part of the Appalachian Mountains from Front Royal, VA in the north to Cherokee, NC in the south. This hard surface road, closed at all times to commercial traffic, transverses some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern United States.

Tellico resident retired Brigadier General Grail Brookshire and his son Doctor Lee Brookshire of Las Vegas, NV, recently bicycled 413 miles of the combined routes during the height of the leaf change in late October.

Starting at Front Royal, the bicyclist encountered varying elevation changes from 650 feet to 5,640 feet before ending their ride at the Folk Art Center in Ashville, NC.

The ride was interrupted once for a day and a half when dense fog made it unsafe to bicycle, prompting a call from the riders to their support team of Grail’s wife, Mary and his sister, Ramona Amacher for a pick up.

Breathtaking views, interesting exhibits and visitor centers, and comfortable lodges are adequate compensation for weary legs and sore muscles acquired climbing mountains that sometimes seem to go on forever. Big Meadows Lodge at the halfway point on the Skyline Drive provided a restful night and an excellent restaurant as compensation for a mostly uphill ride.

Peaks of the Otter Lodge at mile post 86 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is another memorable over night stop. The absence of clocks, TVs, and telephones in the rooms sends a powerful message: RELAX.

The Stonewall B & B near mile post 160 is another stop for a pleasant and restful evening.

The Blue Ridge Music Center, Moses H. Cone Visitor’s Center, Museum of North Carolina Minerals, and the Folks Art Center are some of the more interesting stops along the Parkway.

Lunch at Mabry Mill near milepost 175 allows visitors to experience some specialty dishes unique to the Appalachian Mountains.

Of course it isn’t necessary to bicycle the Parkways to experience this interesting section of the United States. The absence of commercial traffic, and speed limits of 35-45 miles per hour make for a pleasant drive by automobile, and ample opportunity to pause and enjoy the scenery. Visitors should allow at least three days for an unhurried trip.