Blue Ridge Parkway Journeys

Carolyn Tyree Feagans – author

We have driven the entire Parkway 3 times, plus have spent approximately 450 days on the Parkway – including some of our honeymoon. Much of this time is spent in research for the books that I write — historical fiction set in the Blue Ridge. We have driven around the U.S. in our RV – but have yet to see anything more beautiful than the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blaine Family

As a result of our October 11-19, 2005 trip, we fell in love with the area around Floyd and Meadows of Dan so much, that we purchased 14 acres on top of a mountain, complete with mobile home, pond and stream. Our love of nature and mountain music, as well as our “getaway home” have enabled us to truly experience the mystique of Floyd and Patrick counties. It all takes you back to a simpler place and time, and in this crazy world we need that every now and then.

The Andersons as campground hosts at the Peaks of Otter

My wife and I began traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway soon after we were married in 1950. Since then, we have been on the Parkway in excess of 40 times and traveled on it from Cherokee to Waynesboro or vice versus over eight times. In October 2007 we traveled the length of it from south to north. We have just returned from a trip from Waynesboro to Roanoke this month. We were fortunate enough to have been campground hosts at the Peaks of Otter for eight years (our favorite place along the Parkway). We have traveled all 50 states, either by car or motorhome and have seen many beautiful sights, but the Blue Ridge Parkway is the greatest stretch of roadway in the country. We have had too many wonderful experiences and seen too many beautiful things to list them.

The Andersons

My wife Judie and I planned and completed a summer trip in June, 1989. We started at Front Royal Virginia at the start of the Skyline Drive, and about two weeks later we ended in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We drove the full length of the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Smoky Mountains Park. We were so impressed with the local people and the places we visited, that in 1991 when I retired, we decided to move to the area. We moved to Ashe County in October of 1992 and have not changed our opinion of the Parkway, except that it is as beautiful in winter, spring, and fall as it was in June on our first visit. When we have guests, they always get a tour of the Parkway. I think we would qualify as an end-to-ender.

(the black dog is "Schipp" and the beagle is "Schoot" -- Skip and Skoot)

Using “Guide to the Blue Ridge Parkway“, I traveled from Rockfish Gap to the Oconaluftee River. My trip started September 30, 2007 at Milepost 0 and ended October 4, 2007 at Milepost 469. I traveled with my two dogs (the black dog is “Schipp” and the beagle is “Schoot” — Skip and Skoot) and we stopped at every overlook and exhibit. I photographed each stop. The next time I take this trip, and there will be a next time, I will give myself a minimum of 7 full days.