Blue Ridge Parkway

I had the opportunity to travel into the Blue Ridge Mountains via the Blue Ridge Parkway during my vacation last month.  We left my parents home in Catawba, South Carolina and headed west to the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway just outside of Brevard, North Carolina.  Our first destination….Looking Glass Falls.   I featured a photograph of the falls last week with my daughter and her friend…the above photograph was another favorite of mine.   

As I took my photographs, the girls took the time to take their own as well.

After we enjoyed our time at the falls, we headed up the byway to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  This parkway has always been a favorite of mine….riding the tops of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  After many years away, I was happy to be riding on it once again.  I have missed the views…

The Blue Ridge Mountains get their name from the bluish haze that appears to cover them from a distance.

An interesting fact about the Blue Ridge Parkway…there are 26 tunnels….one is in Virginia….25 are in North Carolina ~ this is due to their rugged terrain.  The tunnels were created to lessen the scarring of the land and in areas of steep terrain where a road wouldn’t be practicial nor safe.  Some of the tunnels are not that large….some are quite long…and dark.

Heading out of one of the 25 North Carolina tunnels.

And how about a little town in the valley…

As we approached Asheville, our destination for the day….we caught a glimpse of the largest privately owned home in the United States….but more on that another day.  🙂