Skyline Drive Closed Due to Winter Weather

Posted on by November 28, 2014

Skyline Drive in Mountains of Western Virginia Closed Due to Winter Weather

Skyline Drive in the Virginia mountains is closed due to snow and icy conditions on the road. The entire length is closed as reported by the Shenandoah National Park Service’s twitter account. Temperatures will remain near freezing for the rest of

Skyline Drive Closed For Snow in western mountains of Virginia

Skyline Drive Closed For Snow in western mountains of Virginia

today and below freezing overnight. There will be little if any melting or thawing out until Sunday more than likely. If you need to know if and when Skyline Drive will reopen call 540-999-3500, then press 1, then press 1 again to get the latest updates about the road conditions for Skyline Drive located in the mountains of western Virginia.

Many area and Visitors Centers will be closing for the winter season. Big Meadows Wayside, Skyland Resort & Stables are open until Sunday 11/30/14 and then will close for winter.

A winter trip to Skyline Drive with snow!

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Winter Storm Warning for Blue Ridge Parkway

Posted on by November 1, 2014

The mountains of North Carolina are under a Winter Storm Warning. Snow is predicted for a large area in Western North Carolina and Virginia. Boone has already had lite snow. The highest elevations (over 5000 ft) may get 8-12 inches of snow. Snow is expected for the areas of Boone, Blowing Rock, Asheville and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway are already closed due to winter weather. If you were hoping to get a last look at the fall foliage be prepared for snow, Depending on the elevation snow amounts will vary. Also windy conditions will most likely make the tree leaves to fall. This early snowfall and windy conditions make bring an abrupt end to the fall foliage season in the North Carolina mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be affected this weekend by the winter weather!

Take a look at the conditions at our web cams!

 

 

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Apple Day and Arts and Crafts Fair in Millboro

Posted on by October 10, 2014

 

Enjoy Apple Day and the Arts and Crafts Fair in Millboro, VA at the Douthat State Park

Apple Day and Craft Fair at Millboro, VA

Apple Day and Craft Fair at Millboro, VA

Saturday October 11, 2014. The fall foliage show is underway in the mountains and so is the fall harvest. Games, hay rides, bluegrass music and food. Exhibits include apple butter making, campfire cooking, pelts on display, clogging and local Appalachian artisan and craft demonstrations and vendors. Large selection of quilts, birdhouses, ceramics, candles, wood crafts, jewelry, photography, baskets and many more at Apple Day and the Arts and Crafts Fair.

Takes place Saturday Oct. 11, 2014 from 8:00am till 5:00pm at Douthat State Park in Millboro, Virginia. Get out and enjoy the fall season!

George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Millboro, VA 24460
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Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Tips

Posted on by October 3, 2014

Here are just a few Blue Ridge Parkway travel tips that can make a Blue Ridge Parkway ride more enjoyable this time of year.

Blue Ridge Parkway Fall Foliage

Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Tips

There are 75 overlooks-stop and enjoy the view!

Carry a camera, the views and scenery are beautiful and you will want to take pictures.

The speed limit is 45mph. Go slow, take your time. That’s why the speed limit is only 45mph.

Have a sweater or jacket with you. The higher elevations can be quite cool or downright cold!

Be aware of bike riders and motorcycles. Share the road!

Gas up before you hit the Parkway. Gassing up requires exiting the parkway.

 

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Big Lick Oktoberfest in Roanoke Va

Posted on by October 3, 2014

Roanoke VA is having their Big Lick Oktoberfest  on Saturday October 25, 2014. This is a popular fall festival with German-style beer, brats, sauerkraut, live music and more. Great for the whole family.

Hours are from 12pm-6pm and it takes place at Wells Fargo Plaza in downtown Roanoke. Roanoke, Virginia is located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. While enjoying the fall foliage on the Blue Ridge Parkway take a quick side trip to Roanoke and have fun at the Big Lick Oktoberfest!
Admission is $5 for adults,  Children 12 and under get in Free.

Discover Roanoke, Virginia…

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Parkway Puppies Growing

Posted on by October 3, 2014

Here is the latest news on the Parkway Puppies. They just turned 4 week old and are gaining weight and growing up. They look fat and happy and do not need to be bottle fed anymore. Thanks to the two young men that found the puppies along the Blue Ridge Parkway the six remaining pups should have a long and happy life!

Look at them now…

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Biltmore Adding Second Hotel

Posted on by October 1, 2014

Biltmore is adding another hotel on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate. The new hotel will be called The Village Hotel and have 209 guest rooms. It will be built

Biltmore Estate

Biltmore Estate

in Antler Hill Village near the Winery. It is expected to open next year in November just in time for the Christmas tours. It will also have an outdoor swimming pool and a casual restaurant and bar. The first hotel at Biltmore opened in 2001. Biltmore is in Asheville and just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Aerial Approach to Biltmore Estate…

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Mabry Mill in Virginia

Posted on by September 29, 2014

Mabry Mill is a watermill located on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd County, Virginia. It is a popular tourist attraction on the parkway because of the watermill and in the fall the setting is a great place to take pictures. The

Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway

gristmill has live milling demonstrations and it still works grinding flour just like it did years ago. There are also exhibits about rural Virginia farm life with a gristmill, sawmill and blacksmith shop.

The National Park Service staff present demonstrations on blacksmithing, spinning, basket making and other Appalachian crafts.

There is also the Mabry Mill Restaurant and gift shop. The restaurant has a country-style menu with favorites such as Barbecue Pulled Pork, Chicken Pot Pie and homemade Blackberry Cobbler. Breakfast is served all day and the sweet potato pancakes are oh so good!

The Mabry Mill Giftshop has Virginia crafts, food, gifts, clothing, books, music and souvenirs. And of course you have to get a bag of Mabry Mill grits, cornmeal and buckwheat flour.

While driving in Virginia on the Blue Ridge Parkway make sure to stop at Mabry Mill at Milepost 176.2. Its a fun place to relax, eat and enjoy the scenery.

Take quick look at Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway…

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Ned Erickson Run On Again

Posted on by September 23, 2014

The Ned Erickson run is on again. He will set out to try again to run the remaining Blue Ridge Parkway’s 469 miles. He tried back in August but was not able to complete the run due to complications. He had to stop after 5 days and 261 miles. Now he is going to complete the remaining 216 miles. Follow his progress at his Facebook page “We Run For Them”. Erikson’s reason for his run is to “raise support and awareness for Carolina Point, a Young Life Camp that caters to children with special needs, as well as The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation” he states. He plans to finish his run on Sept. 28th. Wish him well because it is going to be tough!

Good luck Ned!

Ned Erikson

Ned Erikson-We Run For Them on the Blue Ridge Parkway

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Blue Ridge Parkway Puppies Update

Posted on by May 6, 2015

This is an update to the Blue Ridge Parkway Puppies story. Seven puppies were found alive tied in a pillowcase on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Sept. 5. They were eventually taken to Sarge’s Animal Rescue in Waynesville, NC. Unfortunately one of the puppies has died. She was the weakest in the litter and too small to make it. But the other six puppies are alive and doing OK. They should be ready for adoption in about 8 weeks if things go well for them. Sarge’s Animal Rescue post frequently on their Facebook page about the puppies. Donations are still needed to help pay for the puppies care and medical needs. Go to their website at www.sargeandfriends.org, or go to their Facebook page. If interested in adopting one of the puppies or any other animal at the Rescue Shelter call 828-246-9059.

Parkway Puppies Picture

Parkway Puppies Picture from Facebook

 

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