Celebrate Blue Ridge Parkway Anniversary 75


Photo - View of the Blue Ridge Parkway from Waterrock Knob overlook

View of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the Waterrock Knob overlook.

2010 kicks off with celebration of our nations most popular national parks 75th anniversary. Construction on the 469 mile long Blue Ridge Parkway scenic road was started in September, 1935 at Cumberland Knob near the border between North Carolina and Virginia (milepost 217.5), though it would take 52 years until the last section was completed in September, 1987 not far from where it all began.

The mission of the Blue Ridge Parkway is to provide a scenic link between two of the easts grandest parks, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Inspired by great rides built in the parks of the American west and patterned after earlier scenic roads in the east, the Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed utilizing native materials to emphasize and highlight extraordinary views worthy of national recognition and preservation. In making that link, the Blue Ridge Parkway in some ways eclipsed these other national parks and opened up the isolated and remote areas of the Smoky Mountains for all to enjoy.

Nowadays, more than 18 million people each year come to enjoy the relaxing and inspiring views found along this two lane ribbon of asphalt, more than 1/4 of them on motorcycles. The Blue Ridge Parkway has become our nations most classic ride. What better year to celebrate and enjoy it?

I’ll be highlighting some of those celebrations and relating the often controversial history of one of the best rides anywhere in future posts. Here’s a video to get you started.

For more info about the Blue Ridge Parkway go to http://blueridgeparkway.org

For info about celebrations and events go to http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org/


Planning Your Motorcycle Vacation Trip – Do I Need Reservations?

Photo - Motel sign, motorcycles welcome

Make sure the Welcome Sign is On for You

If you’re visiting the Smokies on your motorcycle vacation trip during the fall, particularly at peak leaf season, I strongly urge you to plan ahead. Rooms on or near the Blue Ridge Parkway go quickly and people reserve them a year in advance at the popular places.  Even if you don’t want to make reservations now, or only have a general idea of where you might end up, it’s worth doing a little research to be sure your motorcycle vacation plan goes well.

Here’s a tip that may save you some headaches on that motorcycle vacation trip – call ahead to a couple of potential lodgers and ask about room availability during your visit. Just because you checked for motorcycle or Blue Ridge Parkway events doesn’t mean the rooms aren’t all booked for the Wooly Worm festival, the Trout Fest, or some other local folk celebration. Mountain resorts are popular places for conferences and meetings who sometimes try to book rooms when other events are not scheduled. Don’t forget Chambers of Commerce and Visitor Centers (easy to find online) are great resources and will often send you free visitor guides.

A few extra moments planning your motorcycle vacation trip can greatly improve your enjoyment.

Here’s a couple Chamber links you might want –

Motorcycle Quote for Today

Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death.
~Hunter Thompson

Photo - Carving a curve on Charlie's Creek Road

If you’re not hanging off it, you’re not trying!

Ahh, one of my favorite backwoods twisties, Charlie’s Creek Road. My wife calls it “the most dangerous road we ride”. The “Tail of the Dragon” is tame in comparison. It’s predictable. Charlie’s Creek Road throws everything at you, tempting you to roll harder on the throttle then throwing it right back in your face if you give in too freely. Can’t get enough of roads like this and it’s not hard to. It’s part of a 100 mile loop I love which keeps you on the edge of your tires the entire time.

You find this road and the others in the loop on America Rides Maps “The Best Roads South of Great Smoky Mountains National Park – EAST“, a.k.a. the waterfall map, and it’s just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the time to check it out when you’re coming this way.