With the addition of two renowned roots music groups – Los Lobos, considered by critics and fans as one of America’s most distinctive and original bands, and Assembly of Dust, known for their stellar live performances from Bonnaroo to Carnegie Hall – MerleFest 25, presented by  Lowe’s Hardware, firms up another diverse, crowd-pleasing collection of performers for the festival’s 2012 lineup. Los Lobos will perform on Friday, April 27, delivering the closing performance of the evening, and Assembly of Dust will perform on various stages on Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29.

Slated for April 26 – 29, 2012, MerleFest will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

Over the years, MerleFest has become known for spontaneous moments, collaborations and last-minute performance additions. To keep up with any additional changes and additions to this year’s lineup – even during the festival – MerleFest encourages fans to sign up for the e-newsletter and to follow the festival through Facebook and Twitter. Links are available at www.merlefest.org.

Rolling Stone magazine has said that, “With the exception of U2, no other band has stayed on top of its game as long as Los Lobos.” Now in their 38th year of making music, the three-time Grammy-winning band is still creating inventive and inspiring music. Though they may have come to the attention of many with their huge hit “La Bamba,” Los Lobos’ rich musicality has continued to evolve and expand with each project and with each tour. Drawing equally from rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music, this internationally renowned group of performers delivers a graceful, gritty sound that never strays from the musical traditions that form the heart and soul of the band. About their most recent album, the Grammy-nominated Tin Can Trust, NPR’s Ken Tucker said, “Los Lobos is a master of creating moods, of summoning up a setting and putting you in the center of it. From the band’s major-label debut Will The Wolf Survive to Tin Can Trust, the band has always sung about people who take their pleasures where they can find them and who lead rich imaginative lives.

All Music has described the New York-based Assembly of Dust as “melding the deep grooves of blues and R&B with guitar work that recalls J. J. Cale and Little Feat.” AOD’s 2011 release Found Sound represents a “behind the curtain” look at a band that has gained notoriety as a studio/live performance hybrid. The energy captured on Found Sound represents what fans from coast to coast have known for years: music’s best kept secret may have just been found.

Ticket purchases for MerleFest 25 can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.

With over 90 artists performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest 25 is an excellent entertainment value. A complete list of confirmed performers is available at www.merlefest.org.

MerleFest, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of what Doc Watson calls “traditional plus” music, meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian regional plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.” The annual festival has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Vince Gill, one of the most  popular and honored performers in country music today – and one of the most respected musicians in Nashville – has been added to the MerleFest 25 lineup. Gill will perform on Thursday, April 26, delivering the closing performance of the evening. MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s Hardware, is slated for April 26 – 29, 2012, and will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

Such blockbuster hits as “Go Rest High on That Mountain,” “Whenever You Come Around” and “I Still Believe In You” have helped Vince Gill sold more than 26 million albums over the course of his highly successful career. He has earned 18 CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year in 1993 and 1994. He is tied with George Strait for having won the most CMA Male Vocalist Awards (five), and is currently third only to George Strait (22) and Brooks & Dunn (19) for accumulating the most CMA Awards in history. Gill is a member of the Grand Ole Opry and has received 20 Grammy Awards to date. Just last month, Gill scored his 41st Grammy nomination as a co-writer on “Threaten Me With Heaven,” nominated for Best Country Song. In August of 2007, the Country Music Association inducted Gill as a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame.

Gill’s most recent project, Guitar Slinger (released in October 2011) is a favorite of both fans and music critics across the country, with iTunes proclaiming “Vince Gill’s superlative work in the ‘80s and ‘90s remains a high standard to reach, but he exceeds expectations on Guitar Slinger… When it comes to musical finesse and pure feeling, nobody does it like Vince.”

An avid golfer, Gill helped create the annual Vince Gill Pro-Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament (“The Vinny”) in 1993 in order to help support junior golf programs throughout Tennessee. Besides being known for his talent as a performer, musician and songwriter, Gill is regarded as one of Country Music’s best known humanitarians, participating in hundreds of charitable events throughout his career.

Ticket purchases for MerleFest 25 can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.

With over 90 artists performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest 25 is an excellent entertainment value. A complete list of confirmed performers is available at www.merlefest.org. Additionally, up-to-the-minute lineup additions for the festival can be obtained through the festival’s e-newsletter and through Facebook and Twitter.

MerleFest, considered one of the premiere music festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of what Doc Watson calls “traditional plus” music, meaning the traditional music of the Appalachian regional plus whatever other styles we were in the mood to play.” The annual festival has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

The 11th annual music and arts festival that bears the moniker of its hometown of Floyd, Virginia, kicks off a second decade in July of 2012 with a bursting-at-the seams line-up of genre-spanning entertainment. FloydFest, which celebrated its tenth birthday in 2011 with an at capacity crowd of 14,000 daily patrons over the marathon 4-day event, is already slating for another success year as early ticket sales are up 97% and with festival promoters receiving honorable recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts.

“2012 is promising to be a reiteration of FloydFest’s mission statement,” notes FloydFest co-founder, Erika Johnson.  Which is “to be the best music festival experience of our time. To sell a limited quantity of tickets to the highest quality event experience, bar none, celebrating music, art and life in an intimate, visually stunning environment. To showcase a singularly fresh, unique line-up nationally recognized and under-the-radar musicians to an annually sold-out audience of diverse, music-loving people, and to remain committed to an authenticity and sustainability.”

More than a music festival, FloydFest is a forum for all things progressively feel-good and has garnered a niche in the festival scene as a haven of good vibes and family friendly recreation. Located at milepost 170.5 off the breathtakingly beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, the event boasts ten unique stages, several of handcrafted timber frame construction, panel discussions on sustainability and social concerns, a variety of workshops, Healing Arts offerings, an Artisan’s Village and Children’s Universe, a smorgasbord of organic food offerings, and even a 5k morning trail race and guided hikes along the trails that run through the bordering National Park.

The much-anticipated FloydFest initial artist line-up includes: Alison Krauss & Union Station feat. Jerry Douglas, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Brandi Carlile, SOJA, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers, Ozomatli, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder,  Sam Bush Band, Galactic with Special Guest Corey Henry, Punch Brothers, Gary Clark Jr, ALO,  Conspirator, Garage A Trois, Toubab Krewe, Locos Por Juana, David Wax Museum, Trouble Funk Go-Go Band, The Mighty Wonders, MarchFourth Marching Band, Pedrito Martinez, Steep Canyon Rangers, Darrell Scott Trio, Orgone, Anders Osborne, Corey Ledet, Drew Emmitt Band, The Rogues, Hoots & Hellmouth, The Dead Kenny G’s, Marco Benevento Trio, ArtOfficial, Joshua Panda Band, Morwenna Lasko & Jay Pun Quartet, Love Canon String Band, L Shape Lot, Kings of Belmont, Gregory Alan Isakov, The Situationist, The Trapeze Show and MANY MORE to come!

Tickets and information available at www.floydfest.com or by calling 888-VA-FESTS.

The five ladders are all in a row and transport hikers along a steep rock cliff while providing unbeatable views of the surrounding landscape.  The section of trail, part of Grandfather Mountain State Park property, is under a trail easement that assigns responsibility for upkeep to the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation.

Members of the Stewardship Foundation Interpretive Staff worked for months in the planning process.  Wood, cables and bolts had to be purchased, ladder posts and rungs had to be cut to size and corners and edges had to be smoothed before each piece of equipment was carried out to the Mountain’s backcountry.

Chief Interpretive Ranger Gabriel Taylor estimates that close to 200 hours of work were put in during the three days in early November when the ladders were actually installed on the trail.  Those helping out included Stewardship Foundation employees, State Park rangers and volunteers from Appalachian State University and the Boone Climbers Coalition.

“The old ladders weren’t dangerous but it was time for them to be replaced,” said Taylor.  “Hikers will notice subtle differences on the new ladders, one being that they are sturdier.”

Carriage bolts were used in place of nails on the new ladders.  The carriage bolts run through the rungs and posts and are much thicker and stronger than the nails that had a tendency to rust or bend. In addition, the cables that provide extra support for the ladder’s placement are now anchored in the rock more than an inch deeper than in the past.

The ladders along the Grandfather Trail allow many visitors the opportunity to traverse a rugged mountain top while offering up a great sense of accomplishment.  MacRae Cliff is located .7 miles up the trail when starting from the Grandfather Mountain nature park.

The special December Dollar Days admission is offered to residents and those working in the six counties represented by the NC High Country Host regional travel promotion organization:  Mitchell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany and Wilkes.  The discount is also extended to students of colleges and universities in the High Country and to guests traveling in the same vehicle with those eligible for the December discount.  Please present a driver’s license, college ID, or local utility bill as proof of High Country residency.  An employee identification badge or pay stub can be used to show employment at a High Country business.

A slight change has been made to the Dollar Days rates to encourage guests to plan their visits for times when lines are shorter or nonexistent.  Admission for eligible Dollar Days guests will still be $1 per person on weekdays and on weekends before 10 am.  On weekends after 10 a.m., Dollar Days admission will be $2 per person.

“We are pleased that people respond so positively to our Dollar Days promotion,” said Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation President Penn Dameron. “One of the side effects of this popularity, however, has been that we have seen long lines develop at our entrance gate during peak hours.  We hope that this slight change to the promotion will reduce traffic congestion in the middle of the day, and will result in a more enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Due to an immediate need at local food banks, Grandfather Mountain is once again adding an extra way for those who work and reside in the High Country to take advantage of December Dollar Days.

This December instead of paying $1 (on weekdays or weekends before 10 a.m.) or $2 (on weekends after 10 a.m.) in cash for admission to Grandfather Mountain, you can choose to donate 1-2 cans of food per person for Grandfather’s December Food Drive.  All donations will be distributed to High Country food pantries.

“We encourage everyone who wants to take advantage of our Dollar Days offer to donate cans of food as the price of admission. This will double the benefit to the community,” said Dameron.

Many regular visitors believe that winter is the most beautiful season at Grandfather and visitors can expect to see 360 degree views from the Mile High Swinging Bridge that seem to go on forever.

Although the bears will be hibernating in December, the Mountain has four other animal exhibits where guests can see and photograph cougars, river otters, a golden eagle and white-tailed deer from close range in their natural surroundings.

The Nature Museum is a cozy place to duck into for a break from the chill. Mildred’s Grill offers homemade vegetable soup and chili, as well as salads and sandwiches.   Just down the path, Grandfather’s Fudge Shop has 20 savory flavors to choose from including peppermint stick, pumpkin pie and caramel peanut bar.

Another great opportunity while visiting the park during the winter is to visit the Mountain’s gift shops.  Many holiday presents for all age ranges can be found among the dozens of memorable items and collectibles stocked in the gift shops especially for the winter months.

The Mountain is open every day in December, weather permitting, with three exceptions.  The park will have reduced hours December 8 and 24 with ticket sales ending at 2 p.m. and the park closing at 3 p.m. The park will be closed all day December 25.   The hours of operation for the month are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with ticket sales ending at 4 p.m.  For current weather conditions, phone the Entrance gate at 828-733-4337.

 
Some of the most well-known and beloved performers in acoustic music, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, have been added to the Sunday, April 29, schedule as the closing performance of MerleFest 25. MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s Hardware, is slated for April 26 – 29, 2012, and will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

Throughout her remarkable career, which spans a quarter century, Alison Krauss has earned a record-breaking 26 Grammy® Awards. The members of her renowned band Union Station—Jerry Douglas (Dobro, lap steel, vocals), Dan Tyminski (guitar, mandolin, lead vocal), Ron Block (banjo, guitar) and Barry Bales (bass, vocals), with Krauss on lead vocal and fiddle— have each earned artistic notoriety and critical acclaim with their own active careers, but form an airtight unit devoted to the process of making music when they come together as a group. Alison’s most recent project, Paper Airplane, is the artist’s first album of all-new recordings in partnership with Union Station since 2004’s Lonely Runs Both Ways. Alison and several members of Union Station also performed on this century’s best-selling soundtrack, O Brother Where Art Thou, recently reissued to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking album.

Alison Krauss has performed at MerleFest numerous times in the past, with 2007 being her most recent appearance. Jerry Douglas has performed at every MerleFest, with the Sunday, April 29, appearance being his 25th appearance at the festival.

Ticket purchases for MerleFest 25 – an excellent idea for holiday gifts! – can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.

With over 90 artists performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest 25 is an excellent entertainment value. A complete list of confirmed performers is available at www.merlefest.org. Additionally, up-to-the-minute lineup additions for the festival can be obtained through the festival’s e-newsletter and through Facebook and Twitter.

MerleFest, considered one of the premiere music festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of “traditional plus” music. The annual festival has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Tickets on Sale November 8th.

MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s Hardware and slated for April 26 – 29, 2012, is proud to announce the initial lineup for the music festival’s 25th year. The four-day event, which USA Today described as a “happy, family friendly festival that’s loved by musicians who come to play and those who come to add their energy by listening, as well,” will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest is an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, gathering to celebrate the memory of musician Eddy Merle Watson, beloved son of American music icon Doc Watson.

The initial lineup reflects the diversity and quality of performers that have become the hallmark of the four-day festival. MerleFest is known for its unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented music from the Appalachian region, including bluegrass and old-time music, and expanded to include Americana, blues, country, Celtic, Cajun, cowboy, zydeco, rock and many other styles that Doc Watson has referred to as “traditional plus.”

“This year’s initial lineup will bring back a little nostalgia for the core MerleFest audience, those fans who return year after year to hear the traditional sounds of roots music. We have some of the leading names in the music industry, of today and yesteryear, lined up to perform at the historic 25th festival,” says Ted Hagaman, director of the festival. “The MerleFest 25 lineup is made up of many of the artists who have helped make this festival the premier, internationally-recognized event that it has become. And, we are thrilled to welcome back that core fan base that has been with us for the ride all along… and welcome a whole new generation of fans to experience the music, moments and memories that make MerleFest so special.”

The following artists will join host Doc Watson at MerleFest 25:

“The initial lineup is already incredibly exciting and diverse, but it is dynamic. We will be adding to the lineup in the days and months to come,” says Hagaman. “MerleFest fans can get up-to-the-minute lineup additions and other festival news through our social media ventures. So, staying in touch with us via our electronic newsletter, website, Facebook and Twitter is crucial.”

The MerleFest box office will open for 2012 ticket sales on Tuesday, November 8, at 2:00 p.m. EST. Ticket purchases can be made on the web at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. With the estimated 90 acts performing on 14 stages during the course of the event, MerleFest is an entertainment value. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 12, 2012.

“Throughout the years, one of the major factors that has built MerleFest is the quality of the artists and performances that our guests see over the four days of the festival,” adds Hagaman. “That, in turn, creates another important element of MerleFest’s success: people truly feel that the festival is a great value. That’s probably best expressed by the fact that so many music fans and families return year after year, making MerleFest a regular spring tradition. We’re tremendously proud of what we’ve built – and at MerleFest 25, that tradition will continue.”

MerleFest, considered one of the premiere music festivals in the country, is held on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson and is a celebration of “traditional plus” music. The annual festival has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Endowment Corporation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.

Chris Austin Songwriting Finalists at MerleFest 2011

Entries will be accepted from November 1, 2011 until February 18, 2012.

MerleFest 25, presented by Lowe’s Home Improvement, is proud once again to host the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest. Now in its 20th year, the contest is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring writers to have their original songs heard and judged by a panel of Nashville music industry professionals, under the direction of this year’s volunteer contest chairperson, Grammy®-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale. MerleFest 25 takes place from April 26-29, 2012.

Contest entries for the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest (CASC) will be accepted beginning November 1 via two methods:

1. U.S. Mail (P.O. Box 121855, Nashville, TN 37212)
2. The Sonicbids website

The deadline for submissions is February 18, 2012.

“The Chris Austin Songwriting Contest is an incredible opportunity for songwriters to get their works heard publicly and by professionals in the business,” says Laurie Brintle, CASC coordinator. “We encourage all amateur songsmiths to take advantage of this contest. Don’t miss this chance to compete at MerleFest 25 and be a part of this historic event!”

The contest recognizes winners in four categories—country, bluegrass, gospel/inspirational and general. To be eligible to enter, a songwriter must not derive more than 50 percent of his or her total income from songwriting or music publishing. Details about entry fees, eligibility and other requirements are available at the Chris Austin website.

Once submitted, songs are judged by a volunteer panel of Nashville songwriters, publishers and other music industry professionals. Judging is based on a song’s originality, lyrics, melody and overall commercial potential. Twelve finalists, three from each category, will be announced during the first week of April 2012. Each of the twelve finalists will enjoy admission and lodging for three nights at MerleFest, will receive a mentoring session with Jim Lauderdale, and will compete on the Austin Stage at MerleFest 25. In addition, the first place winners will receive a performance slot on the Cabin Stage on Friday of the festival.

Previous winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest include Gillian Welch, Tift Merritt, Michael Reno Harrell, Adrienne Young, Martha Scanlan, David Via and Johnny Williams.

Net proceeds from the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest support the Wilkes Community College Chris Austin Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception the scholarship has awarded over $35,000 to 73 deserving students.

For additional information about the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest, call the contest hotline at 1-800-799-3838 or email Laurie Brintle, CASC coordinator.

About Chris Austin:

Chris Austin, from Boone, North Carolina, worked as a sideman for Ricky Skaggs for three years, singing and playing guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. During that time he was discovered by executives at Warner Bros. Nashville, who offered him a recording contract. While releasing singles including “Blues Stay Away From Me,” “I Know There’s a Heart in There Somewhere” and “Out of Step,” Austin also developed his songwriting skills, as evidenced in “Same Ol’ Love,” recorded by Skaggs in 1991.

On March 16, 1991, Austin’s life was cut tragically short when the private plane carrying him and six other members of Reba McEntire’s band, as well as her tour manager, crashed in the mountains near San Diego.

Pete Fisher, then of Warnersongs and currently general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, and Kari Estrin, then MerleFest consultant and Pickin’ for Merle video associate producer, initiated the songwriting contest to honor Austin’s memory.

View the detour map for this project.

The Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project (Milepost 217 to Milepost 245) involves 28 miles of the 469 mile-long Blue Ridge Parkway and contains 32,000 linear feet of historic rock masonry walls. A significant portion of the walls are severely deteriorated due to settlement and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles over the past 75 years. This project rehabilitates and reconstructs the most deficient wall sections.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is recognized worldwide as an international example of landscape design achievement. Designed and built to provide a leisurely recreational driving experience and showcase the scenic resources of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, this section of the Parkway displays the historic rock walls that line the motor road. Constructed during the late 1930s, these rock walls are now an important historic Parkway resource. Built in the rustic style used throughout other American national parks, the walls are a significant feature that defines the visual and historic character of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This project will restore the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

Blue Ridge Parkway management regrets the inconvenience or delay these closures may cause Parkway visitors.

You can see all Blue Ridge Parkway road closures on Virtual Blue Ridge.

The detour will direct visitors off the Parkway north of the closure at Milepost 384.7 to US Route 74 north, then to I-40 west, then to NC Route 191 south and back to the Parkway at Milepost 393.6 where NC Route 191 passes under.  The detour is approximately 11.5 miles long and expected to take approximately 25 minutes to drive.  The Parkway will remain open between US Route 74 and US Route 25 for the duration of the project. (see below for turn-by-turn detour directions)

This Parkway closure is necessary for contractors to repair deteriorating conditions on the south approach of the bridge over Interstate 26.  Repairs are expected to be complete no later than Monday, December 5, 2011.

You can also see a list of all Parkway road closures on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Alternate Route Information
From US Route 74 (MP 384.7) to NC Route 191 (MP 393.6)

Southbound Traffic

• After passing Parkway Headquarters, turn right onto the Parkway ramp at US Route 74
• Follow ramp to stop sign, turn right onto US Route 74
• Turn right onto access ramp for I-40 West
• Take Exit 47 Brevard Road / NC Route 191, turn left at the top of the ramp
• Cross over I-26 and continue on NC Route 191
• Turn right on Parkway access ramp; return to Parkway at MP 393.6
• Turn right to continue South on the Parkway

Northbound Traffic

• At Parkway closure barricades at Milepost 393.6, turn left onto Parkway ramp
• Follow ramp to traffic light
• Turn left at traffic light onto NC Route 191
• Cross over I-26 and continue on NC Route 191
• Turn right onto I-40 East ramp and continue on I-40 East
• Take Exit 53A, US Route 74, turn right at the stop sign at the end of the ramp
• Cross under the Parkway and turn right onto the Parkway access ramp
• Turn right to continue North on the Parkway

It is mid-October and true to form the Parkway has peak color in many areas. It has come on very fast in the last week or so. Although it looks as if some areas will peak later in the month at lower elevations, this may be the best weekend to hit the Parkway to see fall color.

The north end from Rockfish Gap through the Peaks of Otter is certainly at peak color with brilliant yellows, oranges, deep scarlets, and reds being reported. South of Roanoke through Rocky Knob and in Mabry Mill, all the way down to the Blue Ridge Music Center is at peak color. Some rain this weekend may have brought some of the leaves down.

Higher elevations in North Carolina through Grandfather Mountain or south of Asheville may be beyond peak, but not without some great color remaining.

As always we recommend driving some distance on the Parkway so that you change elevation and north/south orientation to be sure to get the best view of fall color. It will be a crowded weekend on the Parkway so be careful and take your time visiting America’s Favorite Drive.

Enjoy October in the Mountains and visit some of the harvest time activities in our neighboring communities. Enjoy the view, but watch the Road.

Fall Color and Woodland Harvests

This field guide includes over 240 full-color photographs of fall trees, shrubs, leaves, and fruits, all clearly identified.

Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Fall color report for October 13th, 2011. Typically, the Parkway experiences the much anticipated change in fall color around the middle of October. But remember that many factors contribute to variations in when and where the color will peak. The Parkway stretches 500 miles from North to South and meanders from East to West facing slopes. Most importantly, it varies in elevation from just under 650′ at James River in Virginia to over 6000′ south of Mt Pisgah in North Carolina.

So many visitors have been frustrated trying to get to one spot on one day hoping to find leaves in full color. A far better plan is to drive some distance on the Parkway changing elevations and the North/South orientation. If you do that around mid-to-late October then you will catch at least some of the pretty colors we are famous for. You may also choose to review the Virtual Blue Ridge Fall Color Report Archive where you can view the fall color reports from prior years.

In the Northern Districts of the Parkway in Virginia, there are pockets of good color throughout, although not peak color in any place currently. You can find a good mix of red and yellow and green on most slopes including Maples, Sour Gum, Dogwood, and Poplar.

At the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, look for colorful Dogwood, Sourwood, Sumac, Sassafras, Tulip Poplar and Birch.

Around the Blue Ridge Music Center near the North Carolina and Virginia state line, nice yellows coming from the Birch, Tulip Poplar, and Fraser Magnolia. Red is showing on Maples as well.

Lots of fall color reported in the Grandfather Mountain Corridor along with the fall wildflowers of Goldenrod and a variety of Asters. Things are changing fast around Mt Pisgah in the Asheville Corridor with peak color expected next week.

Beyond the French Broad and up to Mt Pisgah the color is nice and close to peak at about 4000′ in elevation.

Enjoy October in the Mountains and visit some of the harvest time activities in our neighboring communities. Enjoy the view, but watch the Road.

Fall Color and Woodland Harvests

This field guide includes over 240 full-color photographs of fall trees, shrubs, leaves, and fruits, all clearly identified.

Weekly updates at 828-298-0398 will keep you informed of what’s being reported throughout the Parkway.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

“We wanted to create a fun event that would give kids a chance to be more involved in the animals’ day and provide us with the opportunity to raise awareness about the improvements that we hope to make to our eagle habitat,” said Christie Tipton, habitat manager.

Halloween activities take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are included with regular admission. Kids in costume will get in at half price.

The day begins at 10 a.m. with Halloween-themed crafts in the Nature Museum. At 10:30 a.m. kids can go trick or treating in the animal habitats, which will be decorated in mummy, werewolf, ghost and graveyard themes.

At 11 a.m. Naturalists will meet by the Mildred the Bear statue in the Nature Museum to lead an interactive program titled “Going Batty for Bats.” Participants will learn all about bats and their importance to the environment.

Prepare to be captivated by ghost stories at 11:30 a.m. in the Nature Museum Auditorium. Local storytellers Maggie Christenbury and Owen Gray will lead scary tales to thrill the whole family.

At 12:30 p.m. kids get a chance to compete in a costume contest and vote on their favorite costume worn by the animal habitat staff. Voting takes place in the Nature Museum lobby.

Immediately following the costume contest, guests have a unique opportunity to participate in the animal enrichments by decorating pumpkins and other treats that will later be given to the animals. An enrichment is anything different that can help to break up the animals’ day such as a scent, a new toy or a treat.

Join the Mountain’s Naturalists in the Nature Museum at 1 p.m. for the “Creepy, Crawly Critters!” program. Participants will learn about creatures of the night, creatures that bite and other spooky animals.

At 2 p.m. the Habitat Staff will begin the animal enrichments.  Meet at the deer overlook to watch the animals enjoy their decorated treats.

The last of the day’s programming will take place in front of the fudge shop at 2:45 p.m. An “Owl Encounter” allows guests to meet and learn about the spooky night prowlers that can be found in the High Country.

Throughout the day guests can learn more about the eagle habitat, special programs offered by habitat staff and additional opportunities to get involved on the Mountain. For more information, contact the habitat staff at 828-733-8715.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities.

For more information phone 800-468-7325 or plan a trip at www.grandfather.com.

Gateway Community Reception
Chestnut Creek School of the Arts – 6:00 – 6:45  p.m.
100 N. Main Street – Galax

Ed McMahon “Protecting Community Character” Presentation
Rex Theater – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
113 East Grayson Street – Galax

Held in conjunction with the 3-day “Taking the High Road Workshop”, we invite you and your community leaders to come hear Ed McMahon, noted author, attorney, lecturer and expert on creating and sustaining livable and prosperous communities. Asset based economic development, tourism promotion, and historic preservation are among the themes of Mr. McMahon’s publications and programs. He has been providing guidance to communities and local leaders on issues facing “gateway communities” for more than a decade in work with the National Park Service capturing this work in a book he co-author entitled, “Balancing Nature and Commerce in Gateway Communities.”

Attendees will learn about the economic, social and environmental benefits of protecting community character, and the value of open space and historic resources. Learn about major tools that can be used to protect community character, including education, voluntary initiatives and other non-regulatory action, as well as alternatives to conventional residential and commercial development. The session will address the challenges in preserving community character and ways to generate public support and the political will to use available tools.

Says McMahon, “The truth is that development is inevitable, but the destruction of community character and natural resources that too often accompany growth is not. Progress does not demand degraded surroundings.”

The evening events are free of charge, but please register here.

Fall Gathering Days
Saturdays, October 8, 15, and 22
10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Wood smoke and the smell of apple butter boiling signal fall. Come help with chores associated with the fall season, like making apple butter and making and drying fruits and vegetables. See other chores common to the area in the early 1900s such as wheel-making, chair-making, basket-making, and fiber arts demonstrations.

Mabry Mill Bands
Sundays, October 2-23
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Enjoy traditional string band music of the Carroll/Patrick/Floyd county areas. Bring a lawn chair and your flat footin’ shoes.

October 02 Mac Traynham and the Blue Ridge Thunderbirds
October 09 Mountain Ivy
October 16 South Fork Ramblers
October 23 Mountain Ivy

Author Book Signings
Saturday October 15 & 22 at the Gift Shop

Fall Color Special All October at the Restaurant
Chicken Pot Pie Dinner with spiced apples, fried green tomatoes, coffee or tea – $6.95

Corn Grinding and Mill Talks Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm
September 30 – October 30 and

Building a water-powered mill was Ed Mabry’s dream, and he accomplished it in innovative ways. Learn about this icon of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the role the mill and the Mabrys played in the community. See the grist mill in operation.

Halloween Party at Mabry Mill Restaurant
Ghosts and Goblins are welcome for Halloween haunting and special treats!!

Mabry Mill Restaurant and Gift Shop is open from 8 am to 6 pm, 7 days a week through the end of October.

For more information, contact: Mindy deCesar, (540) 745 9680 or Mabry Mill Restaurant, (276) 952-2947

The first weekend of October is upon us, and the mountain foliage, true to form, is beginning to make the transition to the color that brings so much attention here in the fall.  Typically the Parkway experiences that change in fall color around the middle of October, but many factors contribute to variations in where and when the color will peak.  The Parkway stretches almost 500 miles north to south.  It meanders from the east to west facing slopes.  Most importantly, it varies in elevation from just under 650 ft at James River in Virginia to over 6,000 ft south of Mt. Pisgah in North Carolina.

Many visitors have been frustrated trying to go to one spot on one day in October, hoping to find the leaves in full color.  A far better plan is to drive some distance on the Parkway, changing elevations and north/south orientation.  Anyone who does this around mid to late October will catch at least some of the peak color that we’re famous for.

In the northern most districts in Virginia, colors are definitely under way, although probably less than 20% showing right now.  Mainly showing are Dogwoods, Tulip Poplar, Virginia Creeper, Sourwood, Black Gum, and a few other species.  Mostly red and yellow colors are showing right now.  Try the section around Clark’s Gap at milepost 40 which is showing nicely along the road edge with color frosting to a rich green backdrop.  At the Peaks of Otter at milepost 80-90, visitors will find Dogwood, Sourwood, Sumac, Sassafras, Sour Gum, and as always Virginia Creeper and even some Poison Ivy which is nice and red.

Around the Blue Ridge Music Center near the North Carolina / Virginia state line, there is a touch of yellow coming from the Birch and Tulip Frasier, Magnolia, and some red splotches showing on Maples as well.  In the North Carolina district around Grandfather Mountain to Linville falls, the color is beginning to show on the mountainside, with elevation as always playing a big role.

Fall wildflowers are Sunflowers, Jewel Weed, Goldenrod, and purple and white Asters around the Julian Price Loop.  In the high elevations north of Asheville around Craggy Gardens and Mt. Mitchell, the color should be delightful this next week, perhaps even close to peak color.  The drive through the Asheville area will still be showing red Sourwood, Dogwood, maybe some early Maples, and even Virginia Creeper.

So enjoy October in the mountains, enjoy the harvest time activities in our neighboring towns, and as we always tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Click here for a list of Blue Ridge Parkway tree species and their colors.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Behind the Scenes tours take place daily at 1 p.m. and additionally at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Each tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Guests will see where the cougars and otters sleep at night, meet black bears that are not commonly on display and even observe a training session. Animal keepers will also answer any questions that may arise during the program. Participants must be capable of walking up and down steep, rough terrain. Closed-toed shoes are required.

In addition to the daily opportunity for a behind the scenes look, the cost of the program has been reduced for October. Behind the Scenes Tours cost $25 per person in addition to regular admission into Grandfather Mountain. Annual pass holders can participate for $20 per person.  For more information, or to reserve a tour in advance, call 828-733-8715.

Grandfather Mountain is a globally recognized nature preserve famous for its 360-degree vistas, native wildlife habitats and Mile High Swinging Bridge. The attraction is located on US Highway 221, two miles north of Linville, NC, and one mile south of the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 305.

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park in the public interest and participate in educational research activities. For more information phone 800-468-7325.

Here in late September, the fields of the Parkway are full of Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Ironweed, Goldenrod, and some Butterfly Weed.  There are great displays of Cardinal Flower in a few wet areas.  The staff at the Peaks of Otter is reporting Ironweed and Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead in addition to all the above species.

Some fall color is showing around milepost 80-90 with Dogwood, Sourwood, and Tulip Tree, along with Virginia Creeper and Sassafras.  A few striped Maple and Sweet Birch are also beginning to show some color.  The meadows and agricultural lands in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and even a few early signs as well of fall color here and there.

Touch-Me-Nots, Jewel Weed, Spotted Knapweed, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod are all common throughout the North Carolina section, especially around Price Lake.  From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap around the Minerals Museum, look for Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Ironweed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan, all common in this area.

Mountain Ash is coming in along around the Craggy Gardens area.  Things seem to be gearing up for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy, and Goldenrod can be found on the Craggy Garden trails as well.  Blueberry bushes on the Pinnacle and Mountain Ash seem to attract visitor’s attention right now.  The beginning of fall color is also beginning to show around milepost 400 with Sourwoods and Dogwoods turning red as well.

As always, we remind you to drive carefully along the Parkway. Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view. In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be showing up with peaks commonly coming in early to mid-October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

The OVNHT preserves and commemorates the route used by patriot militia in their 1780 campaign that led to victory over loyalist forces led by Major Patrick Ferguson at the key battle of Kings Mountain.  Working with a variety of partners, the National Park Service (NPS), as administrating agency for the trail, continues to identify trail segments and open them up for public use.  The newly opened 1.3-mile section of pathway is actually an original part of the route and is a roadbed that is centuries old.

On September 29, 1780, this section of historic roadway saw the passage of hundreds of patriot militia on horseback heading east through Hefner Gap and towards North Cove.  Led by Colonels John Sevier and Issac Shelby, these Overmountain men had come from frontier settlements in present day east Tennessee some days previously.  They would play a key role in the victory at Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780.

In 2008, the Conservation Trust for North Carolina was able to purchase the 534 acre Rose Creek tract, preserving land which borders the Blue Ridge Parkway, as well as containing the newly certified OVNHT segment.  In April of this year, the land was conveyed to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, which has worked with NPS officials to have the trail section certified.

The event is free and open to the public.  Members of the Overmountain Victory Trail Association in period colonial dress will participate.

In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held at the nearby covered pavilion at the Historic Orchard at Altapass, located at Parkway milepost 328.3.

For further information, please contact OVNHT Superintendent, Paul Carson, at (864) 936-3477, or Blue Ridge Parkway Ranger, Jonathan Bennett, at (828) 765-1228.

It is mid-September and depending on your location you may find a few signs of fall color on some trees along the Parkway. This is just a reminder to the display that always arrives here in the mountains around the middle of October.  Generally the fields full with this time of year with Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Ironweed, Goldenrod and in some places great displays of Cardinal Flower in wet areas.

The staff at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia is spotting Ironweed, Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead in addition to the above species.  The meadows and agricultural lands in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and even a few early signs of fall color here and there.

In North Carolina, around the Julian Price Lake loop trail, Touch-Me-Nots, Jewel Weed, Spotted Knapweed, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod are common.  Purple and white Asters are particularly nice on the trail around the lake.  From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap at the Mineral Museum, look for Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Ironweed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan.

Mountain Ash is coming on around the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center.  Things are gearing up for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, and Ox-eye Daisy, Goldenrod, and White Snakeroot can be found on the Craggy trails as well.

As always, we remind you to drive carefully along the Parkway.  Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view.  In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be showing up with peaks commonly coming in early to mid-October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

In 2010, 88 people died walking or cycling on our Virginia roadways. 621 cyclists and 1,585 pedestrians were injured. By contrast, 84 people died walking or cycling in 2009.

Drive Smart Virginia and Bike Walk Virginia want Virginia motorists to ‘Share the Road’ with cyclists and pedestrians and are partnering for the third year in a campaign designed to save lives and reduce the number of injuries.

Lack of knowledge and risky behavior often leads to crashes between roadway users. Taking time to learn the laws and safety practices can save a life, especially with area schools starting back up and many students walking, cycling and driving on the roadways.

In Virginia, a bicycle is considered a vehicle. “Many people don’t realize that,” said Janet Brooking, Executive Director for DRIVE Smart Virginia. “Bikes, just like cars, have to obey all the traffic signs, signals, lights and markings.” A bicycle should always travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.

Motorists must leave at least two feet when passing a bicyclist and pass at a reasonable speed. Bike Walk Virginia Executive Director Kimberly Perry said, “Whether you’re on a bike, walking or in a car, if you behave in a predictable manner you can reduce the risk of crashes.” Whether riding in a car or on a bicycle, all safety precautions should be used, including a safety belt in a car, and a helmet on a bicycle.

Cyclists can also protect themselves by wearing bright clothing, using flashing lights during day and night, and by securing loose clothing.

Pedestrians can improve safety by wearing bright colors during the day and reflective material or blinking lights at night. Light colored clothing is slightly helpful in making you visible at night, reflective tape or reflective fabric is much better.

For more information please contact Rob Richardson, Public Relations and Outreach Manager at Drive Smart Virginia at (804) 929-2988. Shane Cusick, Programs and Outreach Manager at Bike Walk Virginia (804) 859-4820.

We’re approaching mid-September, and depending on your location, you may find that a few signs of fall color are on the trees along the Parkway.  This is just a reminder to a fall that’s display always arrives here in the mountains in about a month, the middle of October.

Generally fields on the Parkway are full this time of year with Black-eyed Susan, Joe-Pye Weed, Queen Anne’s Lace, Iron Weed, Goldenrod, and in some places you’ll see great displays of Cardinal flower, especially in moister wet areas.  The staff at the Peaks of Otter in Virginia is reporting Iron Weed, Jewel Weed, Woodland Sunflower, and Pink Turtlehead, in addition to the above species.

The meadows and agricultural land in the Rocky Knob/Mabry Mill area are showing nice displays of Joe-Pye Weed, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, and a few early signs of fall color here and there.  If you’re in North Carolina around the Cone Estate, Spotted Jewel Weed is nicely in bloom around Trout Lake.  Yarrow is also common along with Bee Balm and Bellflower.  Look for nice Purple-Headed Coneflower just around the visitor’s center at the Linn Cove Viaduct.

From Linville Falls through Gillespie Gap at the Mineral Museum, Ox-eye Daisy, Phlox, Angelica, Jewel Weed, Yarrow, Iron Weed, Coreopsis, and Black-eyed Susan are all common.  Some purple Aster should be in bloom through the Craggy Gardens area and Mountain Ash is coming on.  Everything seems to be gearing for a splendid fall showing.  Tall Coneflower, Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy, Asters, and White Snakeroot can be found on the Craggy Gardens trail as well.

As always, we will remind you to drive carefully while on the Parkway.  Keep your eyes on the road as you enjoy the view.  In a few weeks, more indications of fall color will be coming with the peak commonly coming mid to early October.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

An action-planning workshop building on community input gathered during the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary.

November 15—17, 2011
Crossroads Institute
Galax, Virginia

Make plans now to participate in this 3-day workshop that will provide community and business leaders with an opportunity to turn ideas gathered during the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary into action and to explore significant issues facing the region. Through case studies, presentations, exercises and work sessions, participants will develop work plans for regional implementation. Based on the highly acclaimed Gateway Training Workshops and planned in conjunction with The Conservation Fund.

Workshop Highlights:

• Examine Case Studies of Innovative Partnerships between Public Lands and Partners
• Identify Regional Collaborative Strategies
• Introduction of New Economic Impact and Vitality Index Tools
• Protect Community Character (featuring public presentation by Ed McMahon)
• Access Information regarding Financing Strategies
• Explore Interdisciplinary Approach to Strategic Conservation Planning
• Participate in Action Planning Work with Parkway Staff
• Identify Regional Approaches to Wayfinding and Connectivity

Potential Participants Include:

• Community Leaders
• Engaged Citizens
• Elected Officials
• Business Owners
• Tourism Partners
• Planning Council Members
• Parks and Recreation Managers
• Land Managers
• Economic Development Professionals
• Anyone interested in Community Development

Important Dates to Remember:

September 30—Participant Applications Due
October 10—Confirmation of workshop acceptance

Direct Questions or Scholarship Inquiries to:
Leesa Brandon, Community & Partnerships Coordinator, Blue Ridge Parkway—828.348.3420 or send an email.

Grandfather Flash Mob

There will be a flash mob at Grandfather Mountain Tuesday, September 13 and we need your help! We need as many people as possible to come and be a part of the event to make it GREAT!

This flash mob will consist of a large group of people (that’s you guys and ladies!) converging on and around the Swinging Bridge and singing “The Hills Are Alive.” A team from ASU will be on hand to help us capture the event and produce a video for YouTube. We hope to have some local celebrities make cameos as well.

The event should be a lot of fun! Our goal is for the flash mob and subsequent video to promote the High Country, Grandfather Mountain, and a Balsam Range concert we’ve got planned for later in the month (details about this are on the Grandfather Mountain website).

PLEASE SHARE THIS EVENT INVITE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND COWORKERS IN THE AREA.

Those taking part in the flash mob need to arrive at Grandfather on September 13th between 5:30 pm and 6 pm. We’d like for the flash mob to begin as close to 6 pm as possible. Those taking part will not need to pay admission. We hope to have everything wrapped up and the park cleared at 7 pm.

The rain date for this will be September 14.

Jerry Butler and the Blu-J's

Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center’s Fall Concert Series will present three concerts in September, premiering on Friday, September 2 with a performance by Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s. All the concerts begin at 7:00 pm and are presented in the Heritage Center’s outdoor amphitheater which has a roof over the entire amphitheater so that concerts take place rain or shine.

Based in Knoxville, Jerry Butler & The Blu-J’s are bluegrass festival favorites. Their repertoire consists of original and traditional bluegrass songs, familiar classic country songs and heartfelt gospel.

Band leader/guitarist/vocalist Jerry Butler began playing and singing bluegrass music at the age of twelve.  His first band, The Knoxville Newgrass Boys, included Phil Leadbetter, a classmate and dobro virtuoso. They started out playing at high schools and then played at festivals around the South and even performed at the White House during the Bicentennial. Butler has also performed with Lynwood Lunsford & the Misty Valley Boys, The Joe Isaacs Band, and Pine Mountain Railroad.

The Grassabillies

On September 9, The Grassabillies are returning to the Heritage Center after making a big splash at their Fall Concert Series debut last year. Hailing from Gatlinburg in the Great Smoky Mountains, The Grassabillies are a musical group of family and friends that plays bluegrass music with no rules and no apologies. The star of the show is vivacious vocalist/songwriter/guitarist Kata Hay. A native of Oklahoma and a talented yodeler, she holds the distinction of being the youngest person to win the Ed McMahon Star Search at age five. She then went on to tour the country, opening concerts and working with such artists as LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Mickey Gilley, and Barbara Mandrell. In 2005, she took a job in one of the music theaters in Pigeon Forge, TN, where she met Robbie Helton, her future husband, band-mate, and co-writer. They later became featured performers at Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede and formed two bands, Kata Hay & The Blaze and The Grassabillies.

The Lonetones

The Fall Concert Series will conclude with a performance by The LoneTones from Knoxville. Also making their second appearance at the Heritage Center, The LoneTones are a very talented group of songwriters and musicians with a unique acoustic sound. They play original, Appalachian roots-based music that stretches the “tradition.” They’ve been called modern folk, Americana, folk rock, folkadelic, and more by various music writers attempting to describe their music. At the center of the band are married couple Steph Gunnoe (guitar and vocals) and Sean McCollough (banjo, mandolin, guitar, keys and vocals). They are backed by the strong rhythm section of Maria Williams (bass and vocals) and Steve Corrigan (drums and glockenspiel).

The Fall Concert Series is sponsored by Boyd’s Jig & Reel. Admission to each concert is $5.00 per person at the door, with Heritage Center members admitted free. Food and beverage concessions are available for purchase on site. No coolers, food, drink, or pets are allowed. For more information, call the Center at 865-448-0044 or visit their website.

Grandfather Mountain’s

“Hiking 101″ is designed to teach beginners how to successfully complete a day hike.  Presented Saturday, August 20 at 11 am, the class will cover equipment, clothing, footwear and what to pack for a day in the woods.   Whether you consider yourself a seasoned outdoorsmen or a novice, everyone should find this class a great planning discussion before striking out into the unknown.

“There are a lot of variables that one should consider while planning a hiking or camping trip,” said Chief Interpretive Ranger Gabe Taylor. “Having the proper equipment and being prepared for a variety of weather is a must.”

“How High Is That Tree?” will teach visitors to identify the types of trees they encounter and how to use a clinometer to measure the height of a tree.   Participants will make their own clinometers (an optical device for measuring elevation over horizon) and apply the tool not only to trees but also to a variety of other calculations. The program will be offered Saturday, August 27 at 11 am.

Programs with Grandfather’s interpretive rangers last approximately one hour and are free with the price of admission to Grandfather Mountain ($15/adult and $7/children ages 4-12).

The Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation merged its trails and naturalist departments in June in order to create an interpretive ranger staff that provides visitors with additional ways to experience and learn about the mountain’s diverse environment.

The rangers are also offering guided hikes along the Mountain’s famed Grandfather Trail. A half day hike to MacRae Peak and back (0.9 miles) is $15 per person and a full day hike to Calloway Peak and back (2.4 miles) is $30 per person. A minimum of two people are required to book a guided hike.

These hikes allow participants to learn more about the history, geology, flora and fauna of Grandfather. The Grandfather Trail is strenuous and has some extremely steep sections where hikers use in-place cables and ladders.

To book a guided hike or for any questions on interpretive ranger programming please call 828-737-0833 or send an e-mail.

“We actually sold-out on Friday and Saturday, reaching 14,000 attendee capacity on those days,” notes Svetlana Nikic, VP of Sales and Marketing for FloydFest. “This was a first for us and it is really rewarding to receive all the wonderful feedback from our patrons over the past few weeks.”

New for FloydFest X was free drinking water to all festival goers. With the support of Klean Kanteen, Across-the-Way Productions installed a commercial well to help attendees save money and the environment. Patrons were also able to purchase a Klean Kanteen reusable stainless steel pint emblazoned with the logo of this year’s FloydFest for water, beer, and wine. These pints eliminated the use of more than 64,000 single-use plastic cups throughout FloydFest.

FloydFest included an array of eXtraordinary offerings, which made the festival so unique. In addition to the music, the 80-acre mountain plateau offered a progressive ‘Global Village’ area of workshops and demonstrations, free trapeze lessons, over 100 artisans and crafters, incredible food selections from pulled-pork BBQ to fresh sushi, organic pizza, and hand-churned ice cream, a comprehensive healing arts area, and a Children’s Universe. It is the family-friendly atmosphere and these original offerings that bring in new and veteran attendees year after year.

FloydFest frequenter, Jim Hughes of Port, Virginia, shared these praises with the Across-the-Way Productions team, “Thanks for FloydFest and all you and your dream team do to promote such a wonderful, glorious, magnificent, warm, loving and happy musical experience!  FloydFest to me is like a kid in a musical candy store with hungry eyes and limits on what can be consumed on so many stages (with something for everyone) and each year the benchmark keeps growing higher and higher.  My goal is to keep attending until I’m taken from this earth, so keep doing what you’re doing cause it sure feels right!”

As another FloydFest has come and gone, the Across-the-Way Productions team is already prepping for next year and is committed to making the next ten years of FloydFest even more eXciting while staying true to its roots.

For more information please visit the FloydFest website or call 1.888.VA.FESTS.

7 Walkers Featuring Bill Kreutzmann and Papa Mali, Infamous Stringdusters, Possum Jenkins, Simplified, Major Sevens, Strange Lady, and Great Funktier Added to Performer Lineup.

Music On the Mountaintop has confirmed the second round of artists slated for the fourth annual two-day music festival outside of Boone, North Carolina this August 26-27, 2011. The newest artists joining the performer lineup at the camping festival includes: 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzmann and Papa Mali; Infamous Stringdusters; Possum Jenkins; Simplified; Major Sevens; Strange Lady and Grand Funktier. These latest additions to the environmentally conscious festival join previously announced performers: Sam Bush; Railroad Earth; Greensky Bluegrass; Acoustic Syndicate; Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band; Frontier Ruckus; Town Mountain; River Whyless; Naked Gods; the Mantras; the New Familiars; the Lazybirds; the Native Sway; Simplified; Uncle Mountain and Secret B-Sides.

Music On the Mountaintop is held at the Grandfather Campgrounds in Foscoe, North Carolina. The first year at the new location, the venue is located approximately ten miles from Boone, North Carolina, providing potable water throughout, several public restrooms and bathhouses, a public store, and over 200 shaded campsites. The campgrounds provide the perfect setting for the ecologically driven festival, which focuses on educational awareness on pressing environmental issues. Music On the Mountaintop will work closely with Mountain Alliance and Appalachian Voices, to continue efforts for a cleaner more sustainable world.

“It is important that Music On the Mountaintop is trying to give back,” states festival veteran and 2011 headliner Sam Bush. “It’s not just a music festival, it’s helping out with environmental issues and helping their community.” Bush recently created a video message in support of Music On the Mountaintop, which can be viewed in it’s entirety below:

Tickets are on sale now and begin at $40 for a single day ticket and $70 for a weekend pass. You can purchase tickets online or at the gate. There will be two levels of camping this year. Level One, standard camping will be made available for  $15 in addition to the festival pass and Level Two is primitive camping, available for $12 in addition to the festival pass. Car Camping Tickets are limited.

Music On the Mountaintop is produced by Yellowdog Entertainment. Visit the Music on the Mountaintop website for the most up to date information.

Those who wish to review and comment on this document may do so by visiting the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment (PEPC) website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/roanokevalleytrailplan. Even though using this website is recommended, written comments may also be submitted to:  Blue Ridge Parkway, ATTN:  Suzette Molling, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803.  Comments must be sent by September 12.  Ideas and concerns expressed by those who comment will be used to prepare the final proposal and impact analysis.

Comments are typically treated as a public record and made available for public review.  Individuals may request that the National Park Service withhold their name and address from disclosure.  Such requests will be honored to the extent allowable by law.

Comments will also be accepted at a Public Meeting to be held on Thursday, September 1, 2011. The public meeting will be held from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Virginia’s Explore Park Visitor Center Auditorium, Milepost 115.1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Members of the public may stop by at any time during these hours to meet with Parkway staff and provide comments.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower Report for the first week of August.  Beginning on the North end around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find Jewel Weed, Butterfly Weed, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, Woodland Sunflower, and Deptford Pink. All of these are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.  Turks-cap Lily and Joe-Pye Weed are showing nicely now around the Peaks.

Throughout the plateau district which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis, and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.  Rosebay Rhododendron is still nice in a few places.

In the Grandfather Mountain area, moving into North Carolina, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the Parkway.  Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort.  Joe-Pye Weed is nice around Trout Lake.  Look for Bellflower and Basil Balm around the figure eight trail at the Cone Manor,  Sundrop at Bass Lake, and  Coreopsis in many areas throughout this region of the Parkway.

In the high elevations north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with some displays of Bee Balm along the higher elevations around milepost 360-370.  Turk’s-cap Lily is common along the road from Mt. Mitchell heading down into Asheville.  There are nice displays of Butterfly Weed around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway Visitor’s Center in Asheville.  Black-eyed Susans are becoming more noticeable along with Brown-eyed Susan, tall Coneflower popping up between milepost 350 and 370, and Coreopsis is noticeable between the picnic area and Craggy Visitor’s Center.

The Parkway is a beautiful and cool place to spend these very hot days of summer , but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by.  As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Want to make sure the Blue Ridge Parkway gets that grant? Vote as many times as you can between now and September 6th, and be sure to tell your friends and family to vote too!

VOTE NOW!

The Doughton Park Campground and Brinegar Cabin are open and accessible by traveling the Parkway from the south.

Beginning the Spring of 2012, additional closures and detours will follow between Milepost 218 near Cumberland Knob and Milepost 230. The Bluffs Lodge and Coffee Shop will remain closed for the season.

The Historic Stone Guardwall Reconstruction Project will involve 28 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 217 to Milepost 245) that contain 32,000 linear feet of historic rock masonry walls. A significant portion of the walls are severely deteriorated due to settlement and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles over the past 75 years. This project rehabilitates and reconstructs the most deficient wall sections.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is recognized worldwide as an international example of landscape design achievement. Designed and built to provide a leisurely recreational driving experience and showcase the scenic resources of the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, this section of Parkway displays the historic rock guide walls that line the motor road.

Constructed during the late 1930s, these rock walls are now an important historic Parkway resource. Though built in the rustic style used throughout other American national parks, the walls have become a significant feature that defines the visual and historic character of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

This project will restore the structural integrity and historic appearance of this important cultural resource.

Blue Ridge Parkway management regrets the inconvenience or delay this closure may cause Parkway visitors.

This is the Blue Ridge Parkway Wildflower report for mid-July.  Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find Jewelweed, Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Butterfly Pea, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, Woodland Sunflower, and Deptford Pink, all of which are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.

Throughout the plateau district, which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis, and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.  Rosebay Rhododendron is also very nice right now.

In the Grandfather Mountain area in North Carolina, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the roadsides of the Parkway.  Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area, along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort.  Coreopsis is also in bloom in many areas throughout.

In the high elevations north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with some new displays of Bee Balm popping out along the higher elevations from around milepost 360 to 370.  Wild Bergamot is starting to show also.  These should provide a colorful drive for the next month.

St. John’s Wort is thick from milepost 355 to 360.  There are nice displays of Butterfly Weed right around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway Visitor’s Center in Asheville.  Wild Hydrangea are on display in the Asheville area, Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye Daisy are more prominent each day.

The Parkway is a beautiful and cool place to spend a July weekend or anytime in the summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by.  As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

This year’s theme is “Rock Your Park!” NRPA and its grassroots initiative, America’s Backyard, encourage Americans to show the country how parks and recreation make life extraordinary! NRPA will support park and recreation agencies and citizens as they plan special events and initiatives that remind local decision makers and the community of the exciting and vital role that parks and recreation play in the lives of Americans.

This year is particularly motivating as there are five weekends in July, giving citizens a record number of opportunities to get out to their local parks and recreation areas and get active. NRPA, in coordination with park and recreation agencies nationwide, is inspiring people to create a healthy weekend habit by getting out to a park, trail, playground, swimming pool, natural area or other public space every weekend this July. To make a personal commitment to get outdoors, citizens can sign the Five in July Park Pledge.

“According to recent studies, about one-third of Americans struggle with inactivity, obesity and associated health challenges,” said NRPA CEO Barbara Tulipane. “Now is time for change. Through Park and Recreation Month, we’re encouraging Americans to get out, get active and get healthy. By signing our Five in July Park Pledge, citizens can become a real part of the movement toward wellness.”

Park and recreation agencies are at the forefront in the fight against obesity and in the campaign for health and wellness; however, their services and programs are dangerously at risk due to budget cuts. National Park and Recreation Month is just one way citizens can develop healthy habits and get out locally to show their support of this vital resource.

To spread the word and demonstrate the power of parks and recreation, NRPA is hosting a national “Rock Your Park” Flash Mob Contest. Citizens are encouraged to put together a group of people and show the power of parks together in Flash Mob form. Also, NRPA is hosting its second annual July Social Media Project. Individuals are encouraged to take photos with the official “Rock Your Park” social media sign and post them on their favorite social media sites.

Through efforts by NRPA, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an official resolution for Park and Recreation Month in 2009. The association supports the national park and recreation community and the general public by advocating for federal support for park and recreation programs and legislation.

As a President’s Challenge Advocate, NRPA is also pleased to promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award program in support of the Let’s Move initiative. For those looking to extend their physical activity commitment, the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, or “PALA,” can be earned by taking part in 60 minutes of physical activity for kids (30 minutes for adults), five days a week for six weeks. For additional information, please visit www.millionpalachallenge.org.

Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, visitors will probably find lots of Jewel Weed and Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Common Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Cohosh, and Woodland Sunflower, all of which are common summer varieties here in the Blue Ridge.

Through the plateau district, which extends from Roanoke to the North Carolina state line, summer blooms are prolific with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s Lace, Coreopsis and the bright orange Butterfly Weed common throughout.

In North Carolina, in the Grandfather Mountain area, look for Yarrow, Queen Anne’s Lace, and lots of Rosebay Rhododendron blooming along the Parkway. Spiderwort, Phlox, and Morning Glory are common in the Moses Cone area, along with Turk’s-cap Lily and St. John’s Wort. Coreopsis is also in bloom in many areas throughout.

In the high elevation north of Asheville, Rosebay Rhododendron is in bloom along with new displays of Bee Balm popping out along the higher elevations from milepost 360 to 370. Wild Bergamot is starting to show also.

St. John’s Wort is thick from milepost 355 to 360 and there are nice displays of Butterfly Weed right around milepost 380 and again close to the Parkway visitor’s center in Asheville. Wild Hydrangea is on display in the Asheville area. Black-eyed Susan, Ox-eye Daisy seems to be more prominent each day.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your holiday weekend, or anytime in the summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Please take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let other traffic that backs up behind you get by. As we often tell visitors, enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Mid-summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge, and remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadside or down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed a favorite bloom at one favorite spot, head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In the Peaks of Otter area, north of Roanoke, Daylily, Butterfly Weed, and common St. John’s Wort are being reported.  Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, and Daisy Fleabane are common summertime blooms and are also nicely on display throughout this area.  Don’t miss Black-eye Susan and Woodland Sunflower as well.  The Rosebay Rhododendron, which is the white to pink bloom, is popping nicely in the area of Rocky Knob south through the Blue Ridge Music Center area down to the state line.  Nice displays of the bright orange Butterfly Weed area also showing in this area of the Parkway.

In North Carolina, around the Linville Viaduct Visitor’s Center, you’ll find Bee Balm, Fly Poison, and nice displays of Black-eyed Susan along milepost 297 to 299 and again at milepost 304.  Rosebay Rhododendron is nicely in bloom in many areas around the Cone Estate, and look for St. John’s Wort, Sundrop, and a few remaining Fire Pink.

The far southern end of the Parkway is recovering from some nasty storms lately.  Flowers are still popping up in bloom in many areas.  Look for Fly Poison, and Galax, Purple-Fringed Orchid, Bee Balm, Turk’s-cap Lily, Sundrop, Phlox, and Wild Hydrangea.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it’s not like most other roads. Take some special precautions while driving. Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge and remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadsides or maybe down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed a favorite bloom at a favorite spot, head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In the Peaks of Otter area, in Virginia, around milepost 80-86, Day Lilly is especially nice right now.  A little further south, look for the bright orange Butterfly Weed, St. John’s Wort, Canada Lily, Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, Daisy Fleabane, and Black-eyed Susan.  The Rosebay Rhododendron, the larger white or pink blooming variety, is blooming south of Roanoke to the North Carolina state line and is perhaps nicest through the Mabry Mill area.  Many areas of North Carolina are reporting some remaining Flame Azalea, causing some visitor comments along the way.

In general, look for Sundrop, Columbine, Phlox, Fire Pink, Wild Hydrangea, and Black Cohosh, especially between Parkway headquarters in Asheville and the Craggy Gardens Visitor’s Center.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer, but it’s not like most other roads.  Take some special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down, take your time, and use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

Early summer is a great time for blooms here in the Blue Ridge. Remember that your elevation change can make a great deal of difference in what you find blooming along the roadside or down your favorite trail.  If you think you’ve missed your favorite bloom at a favorite spot, just head up the mountain and you may find it still on display.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area and across the high elevation of Apple Orchard Mountain look for Mountain Laurel, Columbine, Wild Bergamot, and perhaps a few remaining Catawba Rhododendron.  Bowman’s Root, Yarrow, and Common Milkweed may be on display as well.  Daisy Fleabane, Ox-eye Daisy are very common throughout this area.  Around the Peaks of Otter, look closely for some remaining Fire Pink.

From Rocky Knob down to the Virginia/North Carolina state line you may find Laurel, Catawba, Yarrow, some Fire Pink, Ox-eye Daisy and Elderberry in bloom.  In North Carolina there are reports of Mountain Laurel at Trout Lake and Fire Pink, Spiderwort, Daisy and Coreopsis around milepost 273.  And some great Flame Azalea displays at milepost 274.  Look for St. John’s Wort at Sim’s Pond overlook.  If you’re driving the Parkway in North Carolina from Linville Falls out to Gillespie Gap, look for some displays of Mountain Laurel, Flame Azalea, Fire Pink, Columbine, and especially in the meadows behind Crabtree Falls campground.

In high elevations around Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell in North Carolina there are still some Rhododendron on display.  South of Mount Pisgah, reports of Catawba Rhododendron are common.  Some remaining Mountain Laurel and Flame Azalea also are evident in the high elevations.  Graveyard Fields to Devil’s Courthouse is very pretty right now with Laurel and Rhododendron.  Other things you may find as you drive along this area of the Parkway are Fire Pink, Goat’s Beard, Fly Poison, Spiderwort, Sundrops, False and True Solomon’s Seal.

Obviously the Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer but it’s not like other roads so take some time and special precautions while driving.  Above all, slow down and take your time.  Use the overlooks to let traffic that backs up behind you get by.

Regular updates for color reports will be posted to our web site home page. You can also use the National Park Service information line at 828-298-0398 to keep informed of what’s being reported on the Parkway.

For more nature and science information, visit our virtual resource center, http://www.virtualblueridge.com/parkway/general/nature.asp, which will provide you with much more information.

Have a safe Parkway visit! Enjoy the view, but watch the road.

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Around the Peaks of Otter in Virginia, look for great displays of Mountain Laurel and Catawba Rhododendron along the roadsides from mile post 80 to 82.  Golden Alexander, Yarrow, Beard Tongue, Bowman’s Root, and Ox-eye Daisy are beautiful as well.  Some Fire Pink is still in bloom around milepost 86 to 88.  Laurel and Azalea, Spiderwort, Rhododendron and some Foam Flowers are showing in the section of the Parkway between Rocky Knob to Mabry Mill.

Read the full Wildflower Report for June 7th, 2011 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

There are so many great rides out there and sharing these routes is a great way to foster camraderie among the online community. We look forward to getting your submission!

Click here to submit a motorcycle ride for the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Floyd Fandango

If the true definition of ‘Fandango’ is a lively dance done in triple time, then Floyd Fandango, a weekend-long Independence Day celebration, is not too far off the mark. This unique event, which is held annually off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Virginia, has garnered somewhat of a cult following since its 2004 inception. Unorthodox festivities are often the headline, including past performances by Junior Brown playing under an Italian carnival tent with snake charmers and a trained dog show, and other carnival-themed attractions. This year’s attendees can expect an equally solid roster of non-traditional entertainment and merriments.

Upon arrival at the pristine mountain venue, located at milepost 170.5 off the beautiful, and non-commercial, Blue Ridge Parkway, attendees exchange a ticket for a commemorative wine or beer glass and wooden pogs for beer tasting (wine tastings are free throughout the day). Meander along a shady garden path, past a small stage of string musicians, and onto the main field- a 40-acre expanse culminating with a jaw-dropping, timber framed stage set against the tree-lined backdrop of Rock Castle Gorge. Set up a chair or shade tent and relax to the alt-country sounds of the aptly-chosen band These United States and Big Easy musical favorite Anders Osborne, both opening acts for headliner JJ Grey and Mofro, a southern-born crooner with a large southwest Virginia following.

Two large covered tents feature wine tastings on one side of the field and beer tastings on the other, with a competition for ‘best in show,’ ‘people’s choice’ and ‘judges choice,’ as well as best red wine, best white wine, and best light, medium, and dark beer. This year’s event showcases over 50 vintages of wine from local favorites Chateau Morisette, Villa Appalaccia and AmRhein wineries, as well as Cooper Vineyards, Davis Valley, Fincastle, Horton, Mattaponi, and Rockbridge vineyards. Craft beer options include Long Trail Brewing, Highland Brewery, Starr Hill, Blue Mountain Brewery, Breckenridge Brewing, Bull and Bones Brewhaus, Crispin Hard Apple Cider, Foothills Brewing, Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales, Old Dominion, River Company, Stillwater Artisanal Brewing Company, and Woodchuck Hard Cider.

With the 4th of July falling on a Monday, there’s no reason to rush back to school or work – weekend tickets include on-site camping and a low-key, high-octane Saturday night party, held after hours for those with a weekend camping ticket, extending the fun until midnight. All told, Floyd Fandango shares many of the attributes that might be used to describe the beverages it showcases- lively, full-bodied, and with a hint of blush.

For tickets or more information on this fine event, visit www.floydfandango.com or call 1-888-VAFESTS

Taking a Break on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Virtual Blue Ridge is announcing the launch of a new website focusing on motorcycling in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Joe Veler, president of Virtual Blue Ridge, said “The launch of the website is perfect timing since May is Motorcycling Safety Awareness Month, and the lack of motorcycling safety tips specific to mountain driving was astonishing – until now.”

BlueRidgeMotorcycling.com features tips for driving in the mountains, an important feature since 27% of motorcycle accidents in 2010 occurred in the mountain region where only 12% of the state’s population resides. “Coordinating with Sgt. Mark L. Brown with the North Carolina Highway Patrol was paramount in getting a lot of this safety information together,” said Veler.

Sgt. Brown, coordinator of BikeSafeNC, says the Highway Patrol is very interested in reducing motorcycle fatalities by partnering an education tool such as www.BikeSafeNC.com with an enforcement element. There is no one better to teach this than the motor officers that do it for a living every day. BikeSafeNC is funded by a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and partners with local departments to offer courses for motorcyclists. As a joint venture of the GHSP, the Highway Patrol, and local agencies, BikeSafeNC’s common goal is to reduce motorcycle crashes and fatalities statewide.

Enjoying a Sunset on a Mountain Ridge

The new site is dedicated to providing information on routes favorable to motorcyclists including scenic features, mile by mile directions and interactive maps, as well as tips to keep them safe.

Motorcycle-friendly businesses are highlighted on the site to provide information so motorcyclists will have an easier time finding the best places to stay, eat, and play.

Future phases of the website will include motorcycling videos, Road Journal posts, guest ride submissions, additional destinations, community interaction, and GPS downloads of the rides. “We know these features will be instrumental in growing an online Blue Ridge Mountain Motorcycling Enthusiast community, and everyone’s feedback will be instrumental in how well the site progresses,” said Veler.

In addition to Sgt. Brown’s contribution of content, other motorcycling enthusiasts have helped to provide valuable content and popular motorcycle routes.

Misty Journey on a Mountain Road

Wayne Busch, cartographer, explorer, and designer, is no stranger to two-wheeled adventures. Owner of AmericaRidesMaps.com, Busch provides insider info to motorcycle rides with interesting twists. He is also prolific in producing point-of-view videos for the enjoyment of all. Busch has been featured in several publications and worked with SpeedTV on the Speed Channel. Every year Busch travels thousands of miles, selects the best rides, and presents them in a series of motorcycle maps.

Dale Coyner is the author of two books geared for motorcyclists. His expertise and sense of humor have made him a popular author with motorcycle enthusiasts. Coyner has been riding and writing since 1989, and has been featured in dozens of publications, including Rider and Motorcycle Consumer News.

FloydFest

2011 marks the 10-year anniversary of an event that has become a model for the independent, grassroots, multi-genre family friendly outdoor music festival. In the way of marketing imagery, this anniversary edition of FloydFest X, the experience is aptly named.

The “X”, according to spokespersons for the Floyd, Virginia based Production Company, Across-The-Way-Productions, stands for all things ‘X’ (eXcept ‘X-rated’). It is eXponential, that ticket sales for the festival are hovering at 100% over last year, trending to an early sell-out for an event that started in 2002 with 3,000 people on a farm off the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway near Floyd, Virginia.

It is ‘eXtraordinary’ that the aforementioned parkway locale gives the venue a breathtaking beauty. Watching performers on the custom timber framed Dreaming Creek main stage against a backdrop of trees and stars, with not a commercial building or vehicle in sight is a near-spiritual experience for anyone attending.

The 2011 line-up could be called ‘eXtreme’. It’s being touted as the “best of a decade” and includes these performers: Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Taj Mahal, The Tony Rice Unit, The David Grisman Sextet, Peter Rowan’s Bluegrass Band, Railroad Earth, North Mississippi All Stars, Sam Bush Band, Hot Tuna Electric and Acoustic, Del McCoury Band, Cyro Baptista & Beat the Donkey, Toubab Krewe, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and many more.

With over one hundred bands showcased on nine uniquely different performance stages and spanning Wednesday through Sunday, it could also be named ‘FloydFest the eXtended version’.

You can’t forget ‘X marks the spot’ – FloydFest X offers as much diversity in the non-musical arena as it does within it. Children are well occupied in a safe and central ‘Children’s Universe’ that features open-mic performances, stage entertainment, waterslide, martial arts workshops, free trapeze lessons, and a gaming tent. Alternative-trending adults (and those just looking for a great massage) will thrill at the array of workshops and variants of therapy from tai chi to qigong. Food offerings range from organic vegetarian to brick oven pizza to gator bites, solar smoothies, homemade doughnuts, local coffee, Virginia wines and craft beer including Magic Hat, Starr Hill and Foothills Brewing. Over 100 regional artisans offer a selection of superior products from handcrafted moccasins to instruments, clothes, jewelry and fine art.

‘EXponential, eXtreme, eXtended, FloydFest X is definitely shaping up to be all that it proclaims- basically the music eXperience of the summer.

For more information, please visit www.floydfest.com.

(From Andrew Miller, Coordinator of Outdoor Programs)

Appalachian State University’s Outdoor Programs is one of four finalists in an online competition to win $10,000.  The finalist will be chosen by public voting on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Polartec.

Outdoor Programs will use the $10,000 to create a scholarship fund  to help more Appalachian students get outside, get leadership training, and get international study-abroad experiences of a lifetime.

“Our board is unanimous in expressing deep appreciation for Houck’s and K.B’s (his wife) perseverance over the years in creating and growing our foundation so that citizens and organizations can have a tax deductible conduit through which they can contribute in a meaningful way to enhancing the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Shepherd said.

In 1997, Medford and a group of civic leaders organized the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in Winston-Salem after Medford retired from a successful dental practice. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, under a cooperative agreement with the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior, is the primary private fundraising organization for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Foundation has provided more than three-million dollars in endowments and direct allocations for projects and programs which enhance the visitors’ experience and help preserve the Blue Ridge Parkway’s scenic, cultural and environmental quality.

Over the past few years, the foundation has contributed to numerous capital improvements along the Parkway, including renovation of the North Carolina Mineral Museum, preservation of the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, improvements at Graveyard Fields and other projects.

Parks As Classrooms is one of the flagship programs funded by the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. This program instills values of Parkway protection, history, ecology and culture among students in all 29 Virginia and North Carolina Parkway counties where the program is presented.

Now in its third year, the Foundation’s “Kids in Parks” program is a special initiative to combat childhood obesity and to engage children and their families with our national parks. The sponsorship of special Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation license tags in North Carolina generates around a half-million dollars a year for the parkway’s benefit and is the most popular specialty tag in the state.

Dr. Ward joined the foundation in 2008 as the first director of the Kids in Parks program and became president and chief operating officer in March of this year. Before joining the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, The Wytheville, Virginia native taught at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California for nearly ten years. An award winning researcher and author, she is the editor of the National Association of Interpretation Journal for Interpretation Research. She received her master and doctorate degrees in outdoor recreation from Virginia Tech.

For more information:

• Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
• Kids in Parks
• Virtual Blue Ridge Parkway Guide

Look for Virginia Creeper throughout the northern sections of the Parkway with vines hanging their scarlet necklaces around trees and rocks. Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill area were probably peak this past weekend but lots of color remains. Dogwood and Poplar are also pretty along with Sassafras along the roadsides in areas near the Blue Ridge Music Center. The color there is beginning to fade some. Sourwood, Poplar, Dogwood, Birch, and Beech  . . .

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Last weekend my wife and I went to Graveyard Fields at MP 419. I had read much about the hiking trail there and wanted to check it and the foliage out. The trailhead started with a tunnel of rhododendron. We had a great time hiking all the way to the Upper Falls which was about 1.6 miles, with great variation of terrain and trails.

It was a good workout but not too tough. The falls were a little light but the rock formations all around it were awesome. As we traveled back we took the upper trail to the Lower Falls. Oh by the way the colors, mostly reds were beautiful. It was quite a hike down to the falls but it was well worth it! They were absolutely gorgeous! I took about 60 pictures on this trip and we will certainly return.

Fall is still a time for wildflower displays. Goldenrod and Asters are along the roadside with fall blooms such as Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Joe-Pye Weed, and the orange Turk’s-cap Lily. It’s a wonderful time of year for many meadows and roadsides to show off the last of the year’s blooms.

In Virginia the Peaks of Otter is reporting color in Tulip Poplar, Dogwood, and Sourwood on the mountainside. A variety of Oaks and . . .

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Fall is still a month for wildflower displays as Goldenrod and Astor are along the roadsides along with some fall blooms such as Black Eyed Susan, Coreopsis, Joe-Pye Weed and that orange Turks Cap Lily. This is indeed a wonderful time of year for many meadows and roadsides to show off the last of the year’s blooms.

Early signs of fall are present throughout most of the mid-elevations of the Parkway. The Dogwoods have assumed that rusty red and

Click here to continue reading this color report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

September may not seem like a time for wildflowers but the meadow blooms are, to many visitors, among the best of the year. Cooler temperatures and the yearly hawk migration along the spine of the mountains are other reasons to visit the Parkway in September.

Butter and Eggs, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Ox-Eyed Daisy, Coreopsis and Goldenrod all light up the roadside and meadows with a variety of shades of yellow. New York Ironweed is that deep purple, tall bloom that is sometimes standing next to the more pale Joe-Pye Weed in damp or boggy areas.

Purple-Headed Coneflower may add another shade of purple in a few places. If you notice the very bright red flower growing in boggy wet areas you’ve almost certainly spotted the Cardinal Flower, a favorite of many folks this time of year in the mountains.

On the north end of the Parkway around Humpback Rocks, Virgins Bower, Spotted Touch Me Not, Black Eyed Susan, Flowering Spurge, Goldenrod and many other late summer blooms are out.

Click here to finish reading this wildflower report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Naturally many of them come to the Parkway where cooler temperatures and late summer blooms in the meadows are their reward.Here’s the latest of things to look for in virtually every district or every section of the Parkway.

Butter and Eggs, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Ox-Eye Daisy, Coreopsis, and Goldenrod all light up the roadside and meadows with a variety of shades of yellow.

New York Ironweed is the deep purple tall bloom sometimes standing next to a paler Joe-Pye Weed in damp or boggy areas. Purple Headed Coneflower may. . .

Read the full Wildflower Report for 9/3/2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the northern end near Humpback Rocks typical summer blooms of Goldenrod, Butter and Eggs, Woodland Sunflower, Black Eyed Susan, Ox-Eyed Daisy, and Queen Anne’s Lace are all very evident. Morning Glory and Purple Headed Coneflower and a few Cardinal Flowers are being reported on the farm at Humpback. At the picnic area, Heal All and Yarrow are also common.

Many of the same species are found around the Peaks of Otter, Yarrow and Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower, Joe-Pye Weed and Appalachian Bellflower. Virgin’s Bower and Bull Thistle are also common. Look for the pale Touch Me Not between Milepost 80 and 85 and Butterfly Weed around Milepost 90.

Read the full wildflower report for 8/20/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the far northern end of the Parkway near Humpback Rocks, Joe-Pye Weed, Morning Glory, Woodland Sunflower, Black Eyed Susan, Ironweed, and Queen Anne’s Lace are all very common.

Stroll through the picnic area at Humpback Rocks and enjoy the Yarrow and Heal All in bloom there. In the Rocky Knob/ Mabry Mill area, Milkweed and. . .

Read the full wildflower report for 8/6/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

What a better way to spend a gorgeous summer weekend than visiting two of Asheville’s most popular attractions. Bele Chere, for those of you who don’t know, is an annual festival that covers over half of Asheville’s downtown blocks. And I doubt if anyone doesn’t know what the Biltmore Estate is!

My boyfriend, Dustyn, and I left home last Friday evening to start our mini-vacation. After spending a fun night on Friday hanging out with family we got up early Saturday and arrived at Bele Chere not long after it started.

My first stop, as promised, was to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation tent. They were promoting the specialized BRP license plates as well as talking up the 75th Anniversary. They had temporary tattoos and stickers for the kids and raffles for the adults where you could enter to win door prizes like a 75th Anniversary serigraph.

After visiting with Lynne and Michelle for a bit we wandered on. There were already hundreds of people filling the streets and it wasn’t even noon yet! We stopped at a few vendor tents to check out some unique artwork and crafts. There was so much to choose from, you could find vendors selling jewelry, paintings, photography, clothing and even lawn ornaments!

We were with my boyfriend’s neice and nephew so of course we visited a few tents with fun things for kids. Their favorite was the booth we found for face painting. The things they could draw on people’s faces were amazing! His nephew choose a scary monster mask and his neice got a glittery butterfly. They got so many compliments on their faces as we walked through the festival.

Not being an Asheville native or resident I wasn’t familiar with the street layout and a map just seemed like too much trouble while on vacation so we just wandered up and down each street till we hit a dead end. Then we would turn around and go the other way. I think we ended up covering almost all of Bele Chere by the time we were done! The nice thing was most of the live music stages were set up at the ends of the main streets so we got to hear a couple neat bands and different genres of music.

After a few hours of walking in the hot sun it was definitely time for a break. A quick rest at our hotel room at the Brookstone Lodge and we were off to the Biltmore Estate. I had never been before but had heard stories about how awesome it was. Just pulling through the front gates was impressive! After a short trek from the parking area the woods opened up to reveal the most enormous house I had ever seen! I read somewhere that Biltmore is the largest privately-owned residence in the US and I believe it. It has 43 bathrooms! 

We toured the inside of the house and learned some of the history of it and the people that lived and visited there. They had so many authentic pieces from the time when the house was built including clothes that they would have worn and furniture they used.

The estate surrounding the house is just as impressive. We walked through the flower gardens and even hiked the trail all the way around the lake to the waterfall! We had a couple fun encounters with wildlife on our journey. A salamander on a rock stood perfectly still and let me take pictures of him as well as a little black snake in a tree. By the time we were done with the house and gardens we were too pooped to investigate the winery although I heard they have free wine tastings every day! I’ll have to save that for the next time I visit.

It was definitely hotter in Asheville than Boone so although I was glad to be back at my usual elevation on Sunday I was sad to see my mini-vacation end. I’m already planning for next year’s Bele Chere trip!

Here are some more photos from my vacation:

Want to make sure the Blue Ridge Parkway gets that grant? Vote as many times as you can between now and August 31, and be sure to tell your friends and family to vote too!

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North of Roanoke, Virginia, which includes Peaks of Otter and the high elevations across Apple Orchard Mountain, visitors will find Milkweed, Yarrow, Ox-Eye Daisy, Tall Coreopsis, Queen Anne’s Lace, Black Eyed Susan, Woodland Sunflower and Tall Bellflower.

Visiting Mabry Mill or Rocky Knob you’re likely to find Butterfly Weed, Milkweed, Heal All, Jewelweed, New York Ironweed, Coreopsis, Deptford Pink and the beautiful tall Turks Cap Lily.

Spotted Knapweed and Joe-Pye Weed are new blooms this weekend around Mabry Mill. Rosebay Rhododendron is still showing some blooms but on the decline.

To find out what’s blooming in North Carolina and to read the full Wildflower Report for 7/23 visit Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the north end of the Parkway through the Humpback Rocks area look for Woodland Sunflower, Milkweed, Yarrow, Black Eyed Susan, Fleabane, Ox-Eye Daisy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Viburnum, Goldenrod, Columbine and the bright orange Butterfly Weed. Many of these same species are blooming in the beautiful picnic area at Milepost 5.8.

Through the Peaks of Otter area, look for many of the same species. In addition Milkweed, Tall Coreopsis, and Wild Bergamot are showy right now. Visiting Mabry Mill or Rocky Knob look for. . .

Read the full wildflower report for 7/16/2010 at Virtual Blue Ridge.

The Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore got involved by donating an official “Parkway Guide Kit” to help Katie prepare for her amazing trip. This kit included the popular book Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway by Victoria Louge, a laminted Parkway map and a Virtual Blue Ridge CD-ROM.

Thanks to everyone who entered! Keep your eyes peeled for more chances to win, our next giveaway will be announced within the month! Giveaway information is posted at www.virtualblueridge.com/giveaway.

On the north end of the Parkway through the Humpback Rocks area look for Woodland Sunflower, Milkweed, Yarrow, Black-Eyed Susan, Ox-Eye Daisy, Queen Anne’s Lace, Viburnum, Goldenrod, Columbine, and Butterfly Weed. Many of these same species are blooming in the beautiful picnic area at Milepost 8.5.

Around Rocky Knob and Mabry Mill, many of the same species are blooming in addition to Jewel Weed, Ironweed, Deptford Pink and Spiderwort. The large white Rosebay Rhododendron is also starting to show up nicely in this area. Farther south near the Blue Ridge Music Center find Ox-Eye Daisy and. . .

Click here to read the full report on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Today at 12:00 noon ET, the National Park Service opened the last closed stretch of the scenic roadway near Asheville, NC from MP 399 at Bad Fork Valley Overlook to MP 405.5 near NC Route 151.  This section of the Parkway had been closed since October 2009 because of a potential rock slide.  Only one lane has opened, but the Parkway can now be travelled from end to end again, detour free.  A traffic light will help control the flow of traffic. 

During the construction, Parkway travelers had to take a 40 minute detour to get around the unsafe area.  Both lanes of this area are scheduled to be open around the beginning of September, just in time for Labor Day weekend.  This is especially helpful for travel during the fall leaf season which attracts hundreds of thousands of sight-seers each year.  In the Blue Ridge region, peak fall color activity occurs in early October.

This year has been a difficult one for Parkway travelers.  Following a Christmas Day ice storm in 2009, most of the roadway in North Carolina had been closed.  Contractors and volunteers have worked diligently for half of 2010 to clean up debris, fallen trees, and potential rockslides.  Clean-up will continue for months along the roadside, but maintenance officials only foresee occasional traffic delays.

Because of the 2009 ice storm, potential rockslides, and various construction projects preparing for the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this is the first time that the Parkway has been open for uninterrupted travel in 18 months.  It will be nice for Parkway visitors to have all 469 miles open for travel again.

The Parkway is a beautiful place to spend your summer but it’s not like most other roads so take some time and precautions while driving. Slow down and enjoy the view, use the overlooks to let traffic that may back up behind you get by. And as we often tell visitors, enjoy the view but watch the road.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway and All-American Road in the United States noted for its scenic beauty. The Parkway winds for 469.1 miles (755 km) from the southern terminus of Shenandoah National Park’s Skyline Drive in Virginia to U.S. 441 at Oconaluftee in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Cherokee, NC. It runs through the famous Blue Ridge Mountains, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains. There is no fee for using the Blue Ridge Parkway.

For more information on the Blue Ridge Parkway, including Parkway maps, a virtual tour, news & events, and more visit VirtualBlueRidge.com.

Anne’s appearance is part of the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is sponsored by ASU’s Belk Library and Information Commons. It is also part of the library’s Carol Grotnes Belk Distinguished Lecture Series. Parking for this event is available on campus in the parking deck on College Street. For more information please contact Lynn Patterson at 828-262-2087.

A little about Anne:  She has earned degrees from Birmingham Southern College and UNC-Chapel Hill. She currently teaches state and public history at UNC-CH. Anne has been a consultant to the National Park Service and a member of the Board for both the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the BRP 75th, Inc. She is also a member of our Blue Ridge Parkway Blog Community. Visit Anne’s profile.

Along with the popular “Super-Scenic Motorway”, Anne has also published the first-ever Parkway children’s book. This book, titled “When the Parkway Came”, is a unique look at the impact the Parkway made on local families and farms when it was first being built.

You can find both of Anne’s books for sale at the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.

Purple Catawba Rhododendron has just about finished its bloom this year except for a few remaining at higher elevations. Rosebay Rhododendron, a much larger variety with white to cream colored or pink blossoms, is coming out in many places right now. Rosebay is especially noticeable in Virginia south of Roanoke to the North Carolina state line.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area look for Milkweed, Yarrow, Daisy Fleabane, Ox-Eye Daisy, tall Coreopsis, Queen Anne’s Lace, Day Lily, and Black-Eyed Susan.

Click here to read the complete Wildflower Report for June 29th, 2010.

The meadows in the James River area, especially as you cross the river on the south side and begin heading for Peaks of Otter, are just filled with Queen Anne’s Lace and Black-Eyed Susan. It’s a beautiful site right now.

Climbing across Apple Orchard Mountain look out for some Mountain Laurel, Wild Bergamot, Milkweed, Yarrow, Loose Strife, and Daisy Fleabane all in bloom. Coreopsis, Trumpet Vine and Thimble Weed may also be spotted.Some Fire Pink is still visible in the Peaks of Otter area, along with Butterfly Weed and Deptford Pink.

From Rocky Knob to the North Carolina/ Virginia state line look for Ox-Eye Daisy, Black-Eyed Susan, Fleabane Daisy, and Fire Pink all in bloom. The bright orange Butterfly Weed and Day Lily are especially nice right now. In North Carolina around the Grandfather Mountain corridor many. . .

Click here to read the full Wildflower Report for June 21, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

In Virginia through the Peaks of Otter area and across the high elevation of Apple Orchard Mountain look for Mountain Laurel and Columbine and Wild Bergamot. Bowman’s Root, Yarrow and Common Milkweed may be on display as well.

Daisy Fleabane and Ox Eye Daisy are very common throughout this area. Around the Peaks of Otter look closely for some remaining Fire Pink. In the Rocky Knob area down to the Virginia/ North Carolina State Line look for Laurel in bloom and Catawba Trees, Yarrow, some Fire Pink, Ox Eye Daisy, and Elderberry. . .

Click here to read the full Wildflower Report for June 11th, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

On the very north end of the Parkway between Rockfish Gap and Humpback Rocks there are tremendous displays of Mountain Laurel that line the roadway in many areas.

Elsewhere in Virginia across Apple Orchard Mountain the Rhododendron is in full bloom along with Yarrow, Milkweed, Bowman’s Root, Loose Strife, Ox-Eye Daisy, Tall Meadow Rue and Clover. Tulip Poplar and Mountain Ash are also out right now and some bright red Fire Pink is still on display around Peaks of Otter, milepost 86 to 87.

Keep reading to find out what’s blooming in North Carolina.

Read the full Wildflower Report for 6/4/2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

To commemorate the event, Dr. Ward presented her with a watercolor painting of a sacred Cherokee location and a very special “soul tree” created by Houck Medford, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

He stated “this adds a whole other dimension to the Parkway experience. The Parkway is so visual but its rhythms can easily be conveyed in poetic language. We look forward to hearing and ‘seeing’ this new imagery as it becomes part of our Parkway visitors’ journeys.”

To learn more about Laura, her work and this exciting announcement please visit Virtual Blue Ridge.

Check out Laura’s book, The Soul Tree, at the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore.  Her collection of contemporary poetry is set to beautiful images of the Southern Appalachians by local photographer, John Fletcher.

Preview or Purchase The Soul Tree

Story by Randy Johnson

May will offer High Country trail enthusiasts critical opportunities to help Blue Ridge Parkway paths reopen for the summer travel season after last winter’s damaging storms.

The Parkway is staging two late May volunteer days when local hikers can come out and help reopen the Tanawha Trail, still covered with storm debris and impassable in places from Grandfather Mountain to Price Park.

Saturday May 15 and May 22, the National Park Service will commit two chainsaw-certified employees each Saturday in hopes of having two brush-clearing crews working at a time.

The Watauga Tourism Development Authority, organizers of the recently successful High Country Outdoor Summit, is supporting the effort and is asking volunteers to sign up in advance, preferably with an e-mail to WTDA planner Eric Wooldridge (eric@exploreboonearea.com, or 828-266-1345).

To read more about trail cleanup efforts and how you can help please visit Virtual Blue Ridge.

Bloodroot is showy in some areas along with lots of Trillium and Fire Pink and Phlox showing. Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first of the blazing orange Flame Azalea. Not far behind that will come those great blooms that include many more Flame and Pink Azalea and Mountain Laurel.

Read the full Wildflower Report for May 7, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Throughout his tenure with the NPS Phil has received numerous awards and recognitions including winning the Department of Interior’s Meritorious Award, being listed in the Congressional Record in 2006, and having a new species to science named after him by the Discover Life in America organization in appreciation for his support of their projects.

Growing up in Grover, NC, Phil then traveled to Clemson University where he receievd a BS in Administrative Management. Phil is currently married to Dr. Becky Nichols, a scientist with Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

In an interview with the Blue Ridge Parkway 75th, Inc, Phil answers these important questions regarding the past, present and future of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Where did the idea for the Blue Ridge Parkway originate?
• Why is the Blue Ridge Parkway important?
• What is a National Park Service “unit”?
• As the Parkway enters its 75th year, what are the biggest challenges it faces?
• What’s the most exciting thing about the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary?

Read Phil’s answers in the full interview published on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Look for Spring Beauty and Mayapple, early arrivals of the spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas in the mid-elevations from the car. Bloodroot is showy in many areas along with Trillium and a few early Fire Pink.

Some Pink Azalea, known locally as Pinxter, is in bloom along with the first blazing orange Flame Azalea.

Read the full Wildflower Report for May 4, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

Now in its 23rd year, MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and a celebration of “traditional plus” music.

Featuring four days of performances by over 100 artists on 15 stages, MerleFest is a great entertainment value and an affordable weekend getaway. As in previous years, the list of performers fits the “traditional plus” definition offered by Doc Watson when describing the rich musical diversity that is a hallmark of the event. Sounds of bluegrass, blues, gospel, country and Americana will fill the air.

The award-winning lineup represents a group of artists who have collectively earned over 20 Grammy® Awards, 46 International Bluegrass Music Awards and 4 Americana Music Association Awards, among many others.

Read more to find out who will be performing and how to get tickets.

The major threat for winter weather is obviously behind us but there can still be spring snow storms that come our way. So it’s always a good idea to keep current with the local weather forecast and keep a few emergency supplies in the trunk of your car whenever you visit the mountains.

Look for Spring Beauty, Skunk Cabbage and May Apple, early arrivals in spring, as you walk Parkway trails or look in the moist areas at mid elevations from your car. Bloodroot may also be shown in a few areas.

One of the earliest trees to bloom here in the Blue Ridge is Serviceberry which shows its white blooms deep in the forest this time of year. Redbud and Dogwood is rapidly coming on in the lower and mid elevations all along the Parkway.

 Read the full Wildflower Report for April 16, 2010 on Virtual Blue Ridge.

There are road closures still in place due to downed trees and debris in the roadway. While National Park Service personnel have been working hard to ensure that the remaining cleanup is completed as quickly as possible, contracts are also being accepted from small business contractors to help with the volume of work.

For an updated look at road closures you can visit our dedicated Blue Ridge Parkway Road Conditions and Closures page on Virtual Blue Ridge, or call the Parkway Hotline at 828-298-0398.

Today the National Park Service released a schedule of anticipated cleanup and opening dates for the remaining closed sections of the Parkway. Read the full press release and schedule on Virtual Blue Ridge.

With our new upgrades to Virtual Blue Ridge we hope to be able to answer both of those questions quickly and accurately.

We’re proud to introduce a new 3-day Parkway Weather Forecast page. Day and nighttime forecasts for both Virginia and North Carolina are updated 5 days a week.

Our goal is to be the ultimate resource for helping people plan their vacations on the Blue Ridge Parkway and providing an up-to-date forecast page is just another benefit we are excited to offer.

Our next bright idea was a new page dedicated solely to road conditions and closure updates. This information has always been available on our home page but we found that sometimes, especially in the winter, there are more closures than we have room for! As a result the new road closures page was born.

This new page will provide details on all closures and any other special road condition statements that the National Park Service might make.

Both of these new information pages are easily accessible through quick links on the home page of www.virtualblueridge.com. Visit our site today and see the new upgrades for yourself!

The staff at Virtual Blue Ridge is always happy to receive feedback from our visitors. If you have comments, suggestions, or just want to say hi, feel free to contact us anytime.

Answer:
The Go Blue Ridge Card is a convenient, wallet-sized card that includes admission to the Blue Ridge area’s most popular attractions. The Go Blue Ridge Card is the only all-inclusive ticket to the top attractions in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You do not need to pre-purchase tickets, deal with the hassle of tear-out coupons, or carry cash.

Simply present your Go Blue Ridge card at any participating attraction, restaurant, or shop. You are granted general admission at the attraction (no cash changes hands), or will receive a discount automatically.

Click here to learn more about the Go Blue Ridge Card, participating attractions and purchase information.

Don’t miss your chance to win a relaxing retreat to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Retail Value up to :: $1,473.87

The lucky winner will receive:

* Two Nights Cabin Rental from Blue Ridge Vacation Cabins
* A Half-Day Fly Fishing Trip for 2 from Foscoe Fishing Company
* Dinner for Two at Joe’s Italian Kitchen
* Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
* A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

This sweepstakes will last from Monday, October 12, 2009 to Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Drawing will be held on Friday, December 04, 2009 and winner will be announced by email. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited.

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge today for your chance to win. Refer your friends and receive bonus entries!

Answer:
As a general rule the speed limit along the Parkway is 45 mph. In areas of heavy traffic such as Mabry Mill, Cone Manor or visitors centers and at major intersections the speed limit may drop to 35 mph. You should obey posted speed limit signs at all times.

The Parkway has many hairpin and descending radius curves. Traveling at faster than posted speeds might cause you to miss a curve and hit an animal, cyclist or pedestrian.

The National Park Service requires that you report all accidents that occur along the Parkway. If you are in or witness an accident you must report it to a ranger as soon as possible. If a ranger is not in sight, call 1-800-PARKWATCH. Remember, hitting an animal with your vehicle is as much an accident as two vehicles colliding.

Click here for more information on traffic and driving regulations along the Parkway.

Answer:
Founded in 1997 The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is a non-profit fundraising organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Blue Ridge Parkways natural beauty.

The foundation recieves no government funding and relies solely on private contributions, grants, and corporate support. The Foundation is not a membership organization, nor does it engage in political activity or advocacy.

The foundation has been involved in restoration and preservation projects at the Moses Cone Manor, Camp Catawba, Grave Yard Feilds, Rough Ridge trail and many others.

If you would like to learn more or make a contribution visit The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Foundation Executive Director Dr. Houck Medfords blog, or visit The Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore where a portion of all proceeds go to support the foundation.

Answer:
In most places, picnicking along the road side is legal. This is a long standing Parkway tradition, but you must be pulled completely off the roadway. Avoid soggy areas and ditches after periods of rain.

North of Asheville NC, the Parkway passes through the city watershed and off-road parking is not allowed where indicated by signs.

Answer:
Most Parkway facilities are closed in the winter, although the road itself is open as long as snow or ice do not create dangerous driving conditions. The park information line, (828) 298 0398, is the most up-to-date source for road closures by section and access to Parkway weather reports. Year round facilities include the Peaks of Otter Lodge north of Roanoke, VA, the North Carolina Minerals Museum near Spruce Pine, and in Asheville, NC the Folk Art Center and the Destination Center.

Many of the towns and communities located along the parkway offer shopping, meals, and lodging year round.

Fall and Winter Activities Along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Answer:
Fishing is permitted in all Parkway waters with a valid state fishing license from either North Carolina or Virginia. No special trout stamp or license is needed and persons under age 16 can fish without a license. Fishing is not permitted from footbridges, dams or adjacent walls. In trout waters, regulations are posted at the stream bank and are in effect for that stream only. This includes any streams that are catch and release only.

Be aware that many streams meander onto U.S. Forest Service or private land and regulations will vary as the jurisdiction changes.

At Julian Price Lake (Milepost 297), you may rent canoes or bring your own.  Boating is not allowed at any other Parkway lakes.

Visit Fishing on the Blue Ridge Parkway to learn more about the rules and regulations, read fishing reports, and more.

Answer:
The Blue Ridge Parkway like all national parks is managed as a wildlife preserve and hunting is not permitted anywhere within its boundaries.

The Parkway offers special permits to individuals who wish to access U.S. Forest Service land for the purpose of hunting. The permit allows access only from certain Parkway overlooks, and the conditions of the permit must be followed exactly. Information on the Hunter Parking Permit program is available at local ranger offices, from rangers in the field, and from park headquarters.

National Park Service regulations state: As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park. It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances. Check state regulations for Virginia or North Carolina to make certain of your compliance while in the park. Read more from the NPS.

For more information visit our Blue Ridge Parkway Regulations page.

Answer:
Pets on leashes are allowed on all areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway including parks, campgrounds, picnic areas and trails.

National Park Service regulations state:
“All dogs, cats, and other pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or under physical restraint at all times while in the park. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.”

Visit Blue Ridge Parkway Regulations for more information.

Answer:
Typically the best times to view fall colors occur during the month of October. Peak times normally are mid to late October. However, there is no given time table and many factors can impact fall colors.

Although peak fall colors normally occur during the last two weeks of October, pretty patches of colors can be seen into November.

The Parkway is 469 miles in length and traverses through many elevation changes. Fall colors typically come earlier in the higher elevations than the areas in lower elevations. The lowest elevation measures 649 feet above sea level, while the highest measures 6,047 feet above sea level.

For a complete list of Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook elevations, visit Virtual Blue Ridge’s virtual tour section.

Weather can be a major factor too. Unusually dry or wet summers can have an adverse effect in not only when the leaves begin to change and reach their peak, but also in the depth and richness of their colors.

High winds are not uncommon in the Blue Ridge Mountains. You can marvel at the colors one day only to return the next after a night of high winds and find many of the same trees bare.

When planning a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway for viewing fall colors it is advisable to visit Virtual Blue Ridge for the latest Fall Color Report during the months of September through November. If you find yourself away from a computer, you can call the Parkway Hotline at 828-298-0398 for the latest recording. The fall color reports are updated weekly and are considered to be the best indicator of where and when to travel.

Answer:
Yes you can drive your RV on the Parkway but some commerical vehicles are not allowed. Care and caution should be observed on steep grades and sharp curves.

There are 26 tunnels along the Parkway, one in Virginia and the rest in North Carolina, mostly south of Asheville. To help plan your trip we have a handy reference list of tunnels along the Blue Ridge Parkway. It includes length, height and locations of all Parkway tunnels.

Answer:
The carriage trails located at Moses Cone Manor, the Doughton Park Horse Trail, and the Roanoke Valley Horse Trail all offer trails for riding. However you must bring your own horse. There are no horse rentals directly on the Parkway. Maps of these trails are available on our Horseback Riding page.

Outside of these limited areas horses are not allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in campgrounds, on trails or in parks.

There are many stables within close range of the Parkway that can provide guided tours and activities.

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge to view maps and learn more about horse trails and stables on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Many of you know Houck Medford the Philanthropist but are you familiar with Houck Medford the Photographer? This biography details Dr. Medford’s adventure with photography and how it has influenced his work as Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Written by Greg A. Kiser with Four Forty Six Photography.

A short while ago, I went on a Trek to the Blue Ridge Parkway and spent a little bit of time on the trails of the Rough Ridge. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet none other than the founder and executive director of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, Dr. Houck Medford. While we were talking, our conversation quickly turned to photography and I realized that he was a fairly serious shooter in his own right.

Dr. Medford grew up in the mountains of Western North Carolina which for those unfamiliar is some of the most unspoiled landscape to be found in the state. By the time he graduated from Tuscola High School in Waynesville, NC, Dr. Medford and his Dad had hiked all of the trails in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Of course, this wasn’t actually their goal at the time, it was just a natural thing to do. When he looks back at his childhood he recalls always being outside. The beauty of the North Carolina Mountains is infectious and will send anyone’s creative side into overload.

Read the full story

Answer:
Because the Blue Ridge Parkway is a national park and a senic by-way there are no gas stations located on the parkway itself, nor are there signs at the exits indicating the availability of gas, food or lodging.

One of the beauties and pleasures of the parkway is the fact there are no commercial signs and businesses cluttering up the serene landscape. Some commerical vehicles are not allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway either.

With proper planning gas availability should not be a problem and is usually easy to find near the major intersections with state and federal highways.

Below is a list of state and US highways that intersect the Blue Ridge Parkway along with their corresponding parkway milepost.

Virginia Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

• US 250 – MP 0
• US 60 – MP 45.6
• US 501 – MP 63.9
• US 460 – MP 95.9
• VA 24 – MP 112.2
• US 220 – MP 121.4
• US 58 – MP 199.4
• VA 89 – MP 215.8

North Carolina Parkway Milepost Gas and Food Exits

• US 21 – MP 229.7
• NC 18 – MP 248.1
• NC 16 – MP 261.2
• US 421 – MP 276.4
• US 321 – MP 291.9
• US 221 – MP 305
• NC 181 – MP 312
• US 221 – MP 317.5
• NC 226 – MP 330.9
• NC 226A – MP 334
• US 70 – MP 382.4
• US 74A – MP 384.7
• US 25 – MP 388.1
• NC 191 – MP 393.6
• US 276 – MP 411.9
• US 74/23 – MP 443.1
• US 19 – MP 445.7
• US 441 – MP 469

Visit our store for a selection of Blue Ridge Parkway Maps to help guide you on your journey!

Dear Heritage Partners,

We have just become aware that the North Carolina state budget passed by the North Carolina House Tuesday night would eliminate all but one of the Heritage Development Officer (otherwise known as Tourism Development Officer) positions in Western North Carolina (“Western North Carolina” being defined as everything west of Interstate 77).

We currently have five Heritage Development Officers in the 25-county Blue Ridge National Heritage Area region: Helen Ruth Almond, Leesa Brandon, Frankie McWhorter, Kaye Meyers, and Tom Holder. Another position, which was originally filled by Ron Ruehl and later by Jerry Tate, has been vacant for all of 2009.

These people are absolutely essential to the operations of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. The BRNHA has only four full-time staff members, and the Heritage Development Officers are our representatives “on the ground” in our 25 counties. They are the ones who have their fingers on the pulse of all the heritage and tourism initiatives that have made such a difference in the Heritage Area in the last 5 years.

Without them we could not operate our grants program or provide assistance to the 26 heritage councils that we serve. Their loss would be a crippling blow to the BRNHA, our partners, and would undo much of the progress that has been made in heritage preservation, interpretation and development as a result of BRNHA programs and grants.

Click here to read a summary of the proposed cuts. (This is a large file and will take some time to open.)

Go to page 14, item 64. If you share our concern, we urge you to contact your state House and Senate members IMMEDIATELY and let them know how important these Heritage Development Officers are to you, and how adversely their loss would affect heritage preservation AND economic development efforts in our region. Ask them to restore funding for these positions.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for your help.

Best Wishes,

Penn Dameron

Executive Director

Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

About the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, designated by Congress and the President in November 2003, works to protect, preserve, interpret, and develop the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of Western North Carolina for the benefit of present and future generations, and in so doing to stimulate improved economic opportunity in the region. National Heritage Areas are locally-governed institutions that encourage residents, non-profit groups, government agencies, and private partners to work together in planning and implementing programs that preserve and celebrate America’s defining landscapes.

The total prize package is valued at over $900 and includes:

2 Nights Lodging at one of Paradise Valley Estates’ Luxury Log Cabins

• A Unique Horseback Riding Adventure for 2 from Dutch Creek Trails
• Dinner and Dessert for 2 at Valle Café Restaurant
• Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
• A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge today for your chance to win. Refer your friends and receive bonus entries!

Check out our partner giveaway to win more cool prizes!

Part of the allure to this region for many visitors is checking out the many wineries located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding areas, as well as participating in the various winery tours that many wineries currently offer.

We have included information about wine tasting techniques as well as descriptions for most of the varieties of wine that are currently out there for the public to enjoy.

Many wine trails offer complete flexibility to the visitor enabling you to go at your own pace and in whatever order you please, while other wine trails are more full service, providing transportation and even lodging options.

Families travelling in the region will have fun reading about all that gem-mining has to offer. Learn about the many precious and semi-precious stones that can be found in the area, as well as characteristics for each gem you could find.

We have a gemstone identification guide the entire family will enjoy learning from, but nothing is as much fun as getting your hands dirty and finding a genuine surprise hiding in mud!

Virtual Blue Ridge’s latest giveaway has started and we’re sure you are going to love this fun-filled package! Valued at over $870.00, this vacation giveaway includes:

• Two Nights Lodging at the Lazy Bear Lodge, one of Valle Crucis’ finest bed and breakfasts (dates of stay based on availability)
• A Half-Day Fly Fishing Trip for 2 from Foscoe Fishing Company
• Dinner for Two at Joe’s Italian Kitchen
• Two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes
• A complete “Parkway Guide Kit” courtesy of the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore

Visit Virtual Blue Ridge for your chance to win this incredible prize. Don’t forget to refer a friend for bonus entries!

You should check out our Partner Giveaway, too!

Answer:
One of the many beneficial programs of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, the Parks as Classrooms program is aimed at providing resources and funding for educational outreach to children in all 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties. Over the years, hundreds of rangers have enriched the lives of tens of thousands of school children.

The parks become “learning laboratories” to help children develop greater understanding, awareness, appreciation and commitment to the preservation and/or restoration of the National Park System.

By utilizing the resources available through the Parks as Classrooms program, teachers will be able to broaden children’s horizons that is not only beneficial to them, but to the Blue Ridge Parkway as well. These kids are poised to become future stewards of one of our country’s greatest national treasures.

Every year, for four months, National Park Service rangers visit elementary age schoolchildren to teach them about:

• the history of the National Parks,
• the cultural history of the Appalachian Mountains,
• the importance of active lifestyles and outdoor recreation,
• the science of ecosystems, habitats and the environment, and
• introduce them to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Parks As Classrooms is based on the schools’ standard curriculum, which means that every time a ranger goes into a classroom, their presentation relates to other topics the students are learning that year.  Often, rangers return to schools each year, and the students know them by name.  When they reach the fifth grade, children who benefit from a Parks As Classrooms ranger visiting their school every year may understand:

• why the National Parks were established in 1916
• how the Blue Ridge Parkway was built
• the types of music, instruments, dancing and folk art that is part of the heritage of the Appalachian region
• what makes the mountains distinct from other regions of Virginia and North Carolina
• the similarities and differences in animals whose habitat is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway
• the coScrumptious Apple Butter from the Orchard at Altapass!mposition and uses of rocks and minerals, like those at the North Carolina Museum of Minerals
• the interdependence of plants and animals in food chains and ecosystems, and how conservation protects those systems.

As their sense of wonder is provoked and nurtured, these children develop a meaningful sense of place that helps them better understand and appreciate the heritage of the spectacular Blue Ridge Mountains.

While the popularity and success of Parks as Classrooms has been exceptional, limitations of staff, weather and operating budget exclude many thousands of children from ever having the opportunity to participate. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation fully funds Parks as Classrooms and the program is directed by National Park rangers. The Foundation believes that continuous outreach to all the children in the communities bordering the Parkway creates an ideal synergy of public education and self-preservation.

For more information, please call the appropriate number below based on where your school is located:

Virginia Schools

• Albemarle, Amherst, Augusta, Bedford, Botetourt, Nelson, and Rockbridge counties: call (540) 377-2377
• Roanoke County, Roanoke City, Salem, and Franklin counties: call (540) 767-2490 ext. 37
• Floyd and Patrick counties: call (540) 745 9680
• Grayson and Carroll counties: call (276) 236-5309 ext 113

North Carolina Schools

• Ashe, Alleghany, Surry, and Wilkes counties: call (276) 236-5309 ext 113
• Yancey, Mitchell, Avery, and Watauga counties: call (828) 765-1228
• Asheville city, Buncombe, Haywood, Swain, Jackson, Macon, Clay, and Graham counties: call (828) 350-3822

North Carolina residents can display their pride of the Blue Ridge Parkway and provide financial support by purchasing a Blue Ridge Parkway License Tag.

Answer:
Apple butter making at Mabry Mill is one of the most popular family events on the Blue Ridge Parkway. You can view a demonstration of the apple butter being made and then purchase some to take home the same day. This event is held each fall at Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 176.The dates for this popular pastime usually occur in October. Please contact Mabry Mill for more information about current scheduling by calling 276-952-2947 or visit their web site.

For additional events along the Blue Ridge Parkway, please
visit the Virtual Blue Ridge Events Calendar.

Virtual Blue Ridge is hosting another fun-filled vacation giveaway this summer, and this time, we are helping the lucky winner get here with a $100 gas card. The 2008 Parkway Fishing Vacation Giveaway is sure to get all the couch potatoes out of the house and into the great outdoors, even if it’s just for a weekend.

Starting July 15th, people can visit VirtualBlueRidge.com and register for their chance to win. Thanks to our partners Foscoe Fishing Company, Alpen Acres, and the Virtual Blue Ridge Bookstore, VBR is able to offer an incredible vacation package valued at $886.87!

With soaring gas prices a lot of people are cutting back on their vacations. So this may be just the thing for people looking for a great summer vacation. What better deal is there than free? And, now you won’t have to worry about filling up your gas tank to get here if you win. So warm up your mouse-clicking finger and get over to VirtualBlueRidge.com before the August 31st deadline for your chance to win!

Enter Now!

Answer:
Road detours and closures can certainly make traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway a chore rather than a pleasure. The best way to avoid these situations is to plan ahead before venturing out onto the Parkway. Virtual Blue Ridge has a dedicated page to keep you updated on the latest road conditions and closures. Click here to visit this page. It is updated frequently Monday-Friday as information becomes available from the NPS.

Unfortunately, most of the closures on the parkway are due to unforeseen events, making it more difficult to anticipate a detour. The National Park Service provides a hot-line that you can call before your travels. This hotline is updated daily with information regarding new road closures, repairs and detours by mileposts. The number is 828-298-0398.

Jennifer will receive a 2-night stay at Alpen Acres’ Mountain Chalet as well as two 2-day Go Blue Ridge Card Vacation Attraction Passes for a wonderful weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

We had over 1400 entries for this giveaway, with growing interest in future opportunities. Please stay tuned by visiting here often, or you can sign up for the Virtual Blue Ridge Newsletter.

Congratulations once again Jennifer!