Blue Ridge Parkway Entry
Entry & welcome sign for the Blue Ridge Parkway in both Virginia and Tennessee.
Rockfish Valley View
Milepost 1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The valley floor sits at 800 feet above sea level, whereas the overlook sits at 2150 feet. The Rockfish valley is about 15 miles long located between Charolettesville and Waynesboro, VA.
Parkway at the James
At Milepost 68 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a view of the James River, looking west, as it green waters flow eastward through Virginia.
The River James
The James River sits at Milepost 68 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Looking east as the river flows, it is the largest river in Virginia.
River Flow
The James River flows eastward at Milepost 68 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, from the mountains through Lynchburg and Richmond, VA to the coast.
River Bend
A bend in the James River, looking west, sitting at Milepost 68 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Historically, the James River was one of Virginia's most important transportation corridors, as investors built a canal from Richmond to Buchanan about 20 miles from this point for tow barges to transport goods regularly up and down the James.
Peaks of Otter
Straight ahead (center) is Flat Top Mountain and Sharp Top Mountain (far right). Harkening Hill is in front and in between these two peaks. These are the three prominent summits surround the Peaks of Otter area, apporximately 6.5 miles away the point of this photograph. No one know for certain why the area is called the Peaks of Otter. The Cherokee could have called the peaks "ottari," meaning high places. Settlers arriving in the early 1800's, might have named the Peaks of Otter after Scotland's Been Otter Mountain, which resembles Sharp Top. Or, perhaps the name refers to otters that once inhabited nearby rivers. (NPS)
Purgatory Mountain View
Purgatory Mountain, as seen five miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway overlook, rises 3031 feet above the valley floor. The “Carolina” road passed through the town of Buchanan, at the base of the mountain. Over the rough path came stagecoaches and wagons. The strenuous trip down the path and around sharp bends of a creek had drivers referring to the trip as “going through purgatory.” The creek became Purgatory Creek, and later the mountain took the same name.
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The Long Reach
A doe reaching for lunch from the low hanging tree branches while in the Rocky Knob picnic area, along the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 167).
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Button Buck
This button buck and another doe wandering around and grazing in the Rocky Knob picnic area of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 167). This buck lifts its head from its grazing as my presence catches his attention.
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Curious Fawn
This fawn is strolling along the Black Ridge Trail within the Rocky Knob area of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 167). Even though alerted to my presence, the fawn does not seek concealment in the tall grass alongside the trail. It decides, however to watch me and pose for pictures before it strolls away south down the trail.
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Rock Castle Gorge
A century ago the Rock Castle Gorge, part of the Rocky Knob area (Milepost 168), supported a community of 30 families, many of whom were farmers and hunters. During the late 1800's industry entered the area and life was dramatically altered. People moved elsewhere for work and by the 1920's, less and less people lived in the area, allowing nature to reclaim the area. Today, this area along the Blue Ridge Parkway hosts numerous species of trees, delicate ferns, wildflowers, and wildlife.
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Mabry Mill
Sitting on Milepost 176 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Mabry Mill. This mill was built about 1910 by Edwin B Mabry a jack-of-all-trades who had been a chair maker, a miner, a coal company blacksmith, and a farmer. (NPS)
Reflection on the Parkway
The Mabry Mill, now on the Blue Ridge Parkway's milepost 176, was operated by Edwin Mabry and his wife, Mintoria Lizzie Mabry, until 1936, grinding corn and sawing lumber for their meadows of Dan neighbors. Originally powered by a water wheel to operate the mill, an 8-horsepower engine was bought and installed in the mill in later years after Lizzie took over the mill when Edwin fell ill. (NPS)
Scene of Serenity
In 1945, the National Park Service acquired the Mabry Mill, restored it, and landscaped it. Today. The Mabry Mill is the most photographed feature on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (NPS)
Puckett Cabin
Sitting on milepost 190 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Puckett Cabin. Born in 1837, "Aunt" Orelena Hawkins Puckett livered here during the later of there her 102 years. A bride at 16, Mrs Puckett and her husband first farmed the below nearby Groundhog Mountain. Around 1890 (age 50), she began a long career of midwifery, assisting in the birth of more than 1000 babies, until 1939, never loosing a child or mother through her own fault. She died the same year. Today, Mrs. Puckett is remember in this area for her witty, cheerful personality, as well as for her unselfish and skillful practice as a midwife. (NPS)
Puckett Cabin
Sitting on milepost 190 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Puckett Cabin. Born in 1837, "Aunt" Orelena Hawkins Puckett livered here during the later of there her 102 years. A bride at 16, Mrs Puckett and her husband first farmed the below nearby Groundhog Mountain. Around 1890 (age 50), she began a long career of midwifery, assisting in the birth of more than 1000 babies, until 1939, never loosing a child or mother through her own fault. She died the same year. Today, Mrs. Puckett is remember in this area for her witty, cheerful personality, as well as for her unselfish and skillful practice as a midwife. (NPS)
High Piney Spur Overlook
The High Piney Spur Overlook sits at an elevation of 2805 feet at milepost 218 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The mountains to the north (right) is the Cumberland Knob area. Formerly known as Fox Hunters Paradise, it is said that many men, and sometimes their wives and children, would come here for the foxhunt. That's why the place got its name as fox hunters paradise. Often the hunters who came here were not too concerned with actually catching the fox; they enjoyed the chase and listening to the sound of their dogs trailing the fox and while they themselves enjoyed the view of the mountains.
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Fodder Stack Trail
Milepost 238 of the Blue Ridge Parkway begins the Doughton Park area, where purple Blazing Stars and yellow Tickseed are prominent along the Fodder Stock Trail. The area buzzes with bees with the abundance of flora in the area.
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Doughton Park Meadows
Open meadows along the Blue Ridge Parkway, looking west over the mountains around milepost 238.
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Mountain Farm Life
The Brinegar Cabin was constructed of items found on the farm land. Wood, rocks, and even the clay were used to constructed one room cabin with a loft. Later a smaller, second room was added, and divided into a kitchen with its own fireplace and a bedroom. The shed was also added. The lumber used was taken to a local sawmill and cut into boards for the floors, siding and paneling. (NPS)
Brinegar Cabin
Martin and Caroline Brinegar began construction of this cabin in 1886, 10 years after purchasing the land for $200 from Caroline's Uncle. It too Martin three years of his spare time to build the cabin, with the help of neighbors. For nearly 60 years, they lived on this 125 acre farm, leading lives based on hard work, self-sufficiency, and abiding religious faith. (NPS)
Grandview Overlook
At milepost 281 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, sitting at an elevation of 3240 feet, is the Grandview Overlook. And, it truly is a grand view. Here clouds float over the Yadkin Valley in Triplett, NC after a recent rain storm blew threw the area. This is the area Daniel Boone is reported to have preferred to hunt.
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Bear Den Overlook
On milepost 323 of the Blue Ridge Parkway sits the Bear Den Overlook. Black bears no longer roam this area but once had dens here. On this day, rain clouds hang over the Blue Ridge Mountains and douse the area in a deluge of rain.
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Weather Over the Bear Dens
Rain comes from the south and over milepost 323 of the Blue Ridge Parkway where the Bear Den Overlook sits. Rain sweeps up the mountainside as the clouds lift up over the area.
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Licklog Ridge Overlook
Milepost 349 is the Licklog Ridge Overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Straight ahead from the overlook is Mackey Mountain and Chestnut Wood Mountain. Farmers in the area would place salt in logs for their herds of cattle. The logs usually would be near a water source or where the animals would gather.
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Pisgah From Above
The Green Knob Overlook, sitting at milepost 350 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, overlooks the Pisgah National Forest and the Catawba River area. The Catawba Indians made their home near the river where they hunted and farmed.
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Green Knob Overlook
The Green Knob Overlook, sitting at milepost 350 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, overlooks the Pisgah National Forest and the Catawba River area. The Catawba Indians made their home near the river where they hunted and farmed.
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Ray of Light
Light shines on milepost 364 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, as the sun sets upon the Craggy Mountains outside Asheville, NC.
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Light on the Mountain
The sun rays of the evening light beam down on the Craggy Mountains, looking west, at milepost 364 of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Summer Sunset on the Craggy Mountains
The sun begins to set on milepost 364 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggy Mountain area, just north of Asheville, NC
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Taking a Long Look
Looking Glass Rock is a pluton formed by underground volcanic activity. Plutons are great masses of molten rock that have hardened under the earth's surface. Centuries of erosion finally exposed the rock and shaped it into the dome seen rising above the valley floor.
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Looking Glass Rock Overlook
Like a gigantic mirror, Looking Glass Rock reflects a dazzle of sunlight when water collects on its granite face. This display is especially spectacular in winter when the water turns to ice.
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East Fork Overlook
Located at milepost 418 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the East Fork Overlook, right at the headwaters of the Pigeon River. The elevation at this location is 4955 feet. The clouds float lightly above the mountaintops, while others wisp in the valleys.
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The Devil's View
Sitting on milepost 422 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Devils Courthouse View, presiding over some of the most spectacular views in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the top of Devil’s Courthouse at 5,720 feet, out of view to the north, visitors can see into South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee in a 360-degree panorama.
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Devils Courthouse View
Devil’s Courthouse may have received its name because of the sinister aspect of the rock formation, or because, as legend holds, the devil held court in the cave that lies beneath the rock. In Cherokee lore, this cave is the private dancing chamber and dwelling place of the slant-eyed giant, Judaculla.
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The Cowee Brew
On milepost 430 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, thunderstorms form over the mountain ranges of the Nantahala National Forest and fill the valley's with rain as they roll northeast up the parkway.
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Cowee Mountain Storm Panorama
Located at milepost 430 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Cowee Mountain Overlook in Canton, NC. Arguably one of the best places for photographers on the parkway, overlooking the mountains of the Nantahala National Forest. Here, a weather front traverses several mountain ranges before rolling up the Cowee Mountain.
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Richland Balsam Overlook
Located on milepost 431 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the one best smelling overlooks on the parkway, the Richland Balsam Overlook. The scent of Frasier fir and red spruce permeates the air. Also, the highest point of the Parkway is found here at 6053 feet. The overlook gives views of the southern Appalachians. From here the Cowees, Nantahalas and Plott balsams can be seen as rain and thunderstorms roll over and through the area.
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Lone Bald Overlook
The Lone Bald Overlook, located at milepost 432 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, overlooks the Nantahala National Forest as storm clouds roll over the Parkway.
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Waterrock Knob Overlook (East View)
Located at milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Waterrock Knob Overlook, sitting at 5820 feet. Waterrock Knob is the highest peak in the Plott Balsamsat 6,292 feet and is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States and the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6000 feet. Just outside lies a spring that flows over the Waterrock where hunters and farmers gathered to rest.
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Waterrock Knob (West View)
Located at milepost 451 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Waterrock Knob Overlook, sitting at 5820 feet. Waterrock Knob is the highest peak in the Plott Balsamsat 6,292 feet and is the 16th highest mountain in the Eastern United States and the 15th highest of the 40 mountains in North Carolina over 6000 feet. Just outside lies a spring that flows over the Waterrock where hunters and farmers gathered to rest.
Woolyback Overlook
Located at milepost 452 of the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Woolyback Overlook. The Woolyback area gets its name from a blanket of rhododendron and mountain laurel shrubs cover the low ridge to the right creating a wooly look.
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Lickstone Ridge Overlook
The Lickstone Ridge Overlook is located at milepost 458 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. A lickstone was a smooth stone where settlers would spread salt for their livestock. The Cherokee domain once extended far beyond the distant mountains but the white man with broken treaties and fruitless promises brought trouble to these Indians and caused their banishment to an Oklahoma reservation. A few escaped capture and fled into he Great Smokies, eventually forming the eastern band that now lives on the Qualla Reservation in the valley below. (NPS)
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Bunch's Bald Overlook
Located at milepost 459 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Bunch's Bald Overlook.
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Thomas Divide Overlook
Located at milepost 463 on the Blue Ridge Parkway is the Thomas Divide Overlook. The Thomas Divide Overlook is named for William Thomas, the white chief of the Cherokee who, in the 1830s and '40s, helped create the Qualla Boundary that allowed some Cherokee to stay in the mountains.
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